Composition of sedimentary material from the bottom and the area surrounding the Lake Untersee, East Antarctica

This paper presents data on geographic and geologic conditions of modern sedimentation in the Lake Untersee, the largest lake in the East Antarctica. Geochemical and sedimentation data indicate that the leading mechanism supplying aluminosilicate sedimentary material to the surface layer of bottom sediments is seasonal melting of the Anuchin glacier and the mountain glacier on the southeastern part of the valley hosting the lake. Strongly reduced conditions in the lowermost 25 m of the water column in the smaller of two depressions of the lake bottom were favorable for enrichment of the bottom sediments in bacteriogenic organic matter, Mo, Au, and Pd. H2S-contaminated water results to significant enrichment of the sediments only in redox-sensitive elements that are able to migrate in anionic complexes and precipitate (co-precipitate) as sulfides.

Organic carbon in waters, suspended matter, and upper layer bottom sediments of the Kara Sea and Obskay Guba

Along three sections in the Kara Sea and Obskaya Guba concentrations of dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and POC, respectively) in waters , as well as of organic carbon in bottom sediments (Corg) in September-October 2007 were determined. DOC varied from 6.3 to 2400 µg/l, POC - from 0.84 to 12.2 mg/l. For all samples the average DOC was 200 µg/l (n = 78; sigma = 368), the average POC - 2.7 mg/l (n = 92; sigma = 2.7). Concentrations of Corg in dried samples of upper layer bottom sediments varied from 0.13 to 2.10% (aver. = 0.9%; n = 21; sigma = 0.49%). It is shown that distribution of different forms of organic matter (OM) is an indicator of supply and scattering of particulate matter in the Kara Sea and that DOC and POC of the Kara Sea are formed under impact of runoff of the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. It is found that distribution of OM in bottom sediments is closely related to their grain size composition and to the structure of currents in the area. Variations in Corg concentration in bottom sediment cores from the zone of riverine and sea water mixing represent variability of OM burial.

Sea ice cover, and bottom water and sediment characteristics at stations in the Amundsen Gulf, Canada

Seasonal dynamics in the activity of Arctic shelf benthos have been the subject of few local studies, and the pronounced among-site variability characterizing their results makes it difficult to upscale and generalize their conclusions. In a regional study encompassing five sites at 100-595 m water depth in the southeastern Beaufort Sea, we found that total pigment concentrations in surficial sediments, used as proxies of general food supply to the benthos, rose significantly after the transition from ice-covered conditions in spring (March-June 2008) to open-water conditions in summer (June-August 2008), whereas sediment Chl a concentrations, typical markers of fresh food input, did not. Macrobenthic biomass (including agglutinated foraminifera >500 µm) varied significantly among sites (1.2-6.4 g C/m**2 in spring, 1.1-12.6 g C/m**2 in summer), whereas a general spring-to-summer increase was not detected. Benthic carbon remineralisation also ranged significantly among sites (11.9-33.2 mg C/m**2/day in spring, 11.6-44.4 mg C/m**2/day in summer) and did in addition exhibit a general significant increase from spring-to-summer. Multiple regression analysis suggests that in both spring and summer, sediment Chl a concentration is the prime determinant of benthic carbon remineralisation, but other factors have a significant secondary influence, such as foraminiferan biomass (negative in both seasons), water depth (in spring) and infaunal biomass (in summer). Our findings indicate the importance of the combined and dynamic effects of food supply and benthic community patterns on the carbon remineralisation of the polar shelf benthos in seasonally ice-covered seas.

Grain size distribution in surface sediments samples of the continental shelf and slope of southeast Greenland

During "Meteor" Cruise 6/1966 in the northwest Atlantic a systematic survey of the bottom topography of the southeast Greenland continental margin was undertaken. Eighty-seven profiles transverse to the shelf edge at distances of 3-4 nautical miles and two longitudinal profiles parallel to the coast were carried out with the ELAC Narrow Beam Echo-Sounder giving a reliable record of even steep slopes. On the basis of the echo soundings the topography and morphology of the continental shelf and slope are evaluated. A detailed bathymetric chart and a serial profile chart were designed as working material for the morphological research. These maps along with the original echograms are morphometrically evaluated. The analysis of the sea bottom features is the basis of a subsequent morphogenetical interpretation, verified and extended by means of interpretation of magnetic data and sediment analysis (grain size, roundness, lithology). The results of the research are expressed in a geomorphological map. The primary findings can be summarized as follows: 1) The southeast Greenland shelf by its bottom topography can be clearly designated as a glacially formed area. The glacial features of the shelf can be classified into two zones nearly parallel to the coast: glacial erosion forms on the inner shelf and glacial accumulation forms on the outer shelf. The inner shelf is characterized by the rugged and hummocky topography of ice scoured plains with clear west/east slope asymmetry. On the outer shelf three types of glacial accumulation forms can be recognized: ice margin deposits with clearly expressed terminal moraines, glacial till plains and glaciomarine outwash fans. Both zones of the shelf can be subdivided into two levels of relief. The ice scoured plains, with average depths of 240 meters (m), are dissected to a maximum depth of 1060 m (Gyldenloves Trough) by trough valleys, which are the prolongations of the Greenland fjords. The banks of the outer shelf, with an average depth of 180 m, surround glacial basins with a maximum depth of 670 meters. 2) The sediments of the continental shelf can be classified as glacial due to their grain size distribution and the degree of roundness of the gravel particles. The ice margin deposits on the outer shelf can be recognized by their high percentage of gravels. On the inner shelf a rock surface is suggested, intermittently covered by glacial deposits. In the shelf troughs fine-grained sediments occur mixed with gravels. 3) Topography and sediments show that the southeast Greenland shelf was covered by an ice sheet resting on the sea floor during the Pleistocene ice-age. The large end moraines along the shelf edge probably indicate the maximum extent of the Wurm shelf ice resting on the sea floor. The breakthroughs of the end moraines in front of the glacial basins suggest that the shelf ice has floated further seaward over the increasing depths. 4) Petrographically the shelf sediments consist of gneisses, granites and basalts. While gneisses and granites occire on the nearby coast, basalt is not known to exist here. Either this material has been drifted by icebergs from the basalt province to the north or exists on the southeast Greenland shelf itself. The last interpretation is supported bythe high portion of basalt contained in the sediment samples taken and the strong magnetic anomalies probably caused by basaltic intrusions. 5) A magnetic profile allows the recognition of two magnetically differing areas which approximately coincide with the glacial erosion and accumulation zones. The inner shelf shows a strong and variable magnetic field because the glacially eroded basement forms the sea floor. The outer shelf is characterized by a weak and homogenous magnetic field, as the magnetized basement lies at greater depthy, buried by a thick cover of glacial sediments. The strong magnetic anomalies of the inner shelf are probably caused by dike swarms, similar to those observed further to the north in the Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord region. This interpretation is supported by the high basalt content of the sediment samples and the rough topography of the ice scoured plains which correlates in general with the magnetic fluctuations. The dike structures of the basement have been differentially eroded by the shelf ice. 6) The continental slope, extending from the shelf break at 313 m to a depth of 1270 m with an average slope of 11°, is characterized by delta-shaped projections in front of the shelf basins, by marginal plateaus, ridges and hills, by canyons and slumping features. The projections could be identified as glaciomarine sediment fans. This conclusion is supported by the strong decrease of magnetic field intensity. The deep sea hills and ridges with their greater magnetic intensities have to be regarded as basement outcrops projecting through the glaciomarine sediment cover. The upper continental rise, sloping seaward at about 2°, is composed of wide sediment fans and slump material. A marginal depression on the continental rise running parallel to the shelf edge has been identified. In this depression bottom currents capable of erosion have been recorded. South of Cape Farvel the depression extends to the accumulation zone of the "Eirik" sedimentary ridge. 7) By means of a study of the recent marine processes, postglacial modification of the ice-formed relief can be postulated. The retention effect of the fjord troughs and the high velocity of the East Greenland stream prevents the glacial features from being buried by sediments. Bottom currents capable of active erosion have only been found in the marginal depression on the continental rise. In addition, at the time of the lowest glacio-eustatic sea level, the shelf bottom was not situated in the zone of wave erosion. Only on the continental slope and rise bottom currents, sediment slumps and turbidity currents have led to significant recent modifications. Considering these results, the geomorphological development of the southeast Greenland continental terrace can be suggested as follows: 1. initial formation of a "peneplain", 2. fluvial incision, 3. submergence, and finally 4. glacial modification.

Clay minerals in bottom sediments of the St. Anna Trough

This paper is devoted to studies of clay minerals from two cores collected in the northern and central regions of the St. Anna Trough, the largest trough of the Kara Sea. Upper Quaternary glacial, glaciomarine, and marine deposits are characterized by various contents of kaolinite, chlorite, illite, and smectite. It is established that, from older to younger deposits, amounts of kaolinite and chlorite generally decrease, while those of illite and smectite, on the contrary, increase. A joint analysis of distributions of clay and heavy minerals over the section allowed us to refine position of sources for terrigenous matter and their temporal variability. It is shown changes in sources of supply were directly related to climate changes that occurred when passing from glacial to marine sedimentation environments.

Living benthic foraminifers in bottom sediments of the southeastern Kandalaksha Bay (White Sea)

Analysis of composition and distribution of benthic foraminifers in six samples of bottom sediments obtained in the southeast Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea at water depths of 20 to 155 m revealed their dependence on lithology and different hydrological characteristics. It is shown that living foraminifers populating relatively shallow areas of the bay (20-60 m), which are bathed by seasonally warmed intermediate water with temperature 0.7-1.5°C and salinity 26 per mil, are characterized by high abundance (250-750 specimens/10 ccm of wet sediment) and prevalence of agglutinated species (Eggerella advena, Recurvoides turbinatus, and others). Deeper (155 m) where cold and relatively saline deep water occurs (-1.4°C, 29.5 per mil), abundance is an order lower (30 specimens/10 ccm) and is dominated by calcareous taxa Cassidulina reniforme, an Arctic cold resistant species.