Sediment transport to the Laptev Sea (Siberian Arctic) during the Holocene — evidence from the heavy mineral composition of fluvial and marine sediments

Heavy mineral studies of East Siberian river sediments, Laptev Sea surface sediments, and a sediment core of the western Laptev Sea were carried out in order to reconstruct the pathways of modern and ancient sediment transport from the Siberian hinterland to the Laptev Sea. The modern heavy mineral distribution of Laptev Sea surface sediments reflects mainly the riverine input. While the eastern and central part of the Laptev Sea is dominated by amphibole, which is supplied by the Lena River, the western part is dominated by pyroxene imported from the Siberian Trap basalts by the Khatanga River. The distribution of garnet and opaque minerals is additionally influenced by hydrodynamic processes. As a consequence of their high density, these minerals are predominantly deposited close to the river mouths. Heavy mineral and sedimentological studies of a sediment core of the western Laptev Sea were applied to reconstruct the postglacial history of the shelf area during the last 11 ka. In the lowermost interval of the core (> c. 10 ka), high accumulation rates and a heavy mineral composition similar to that of the modern Khatanga river indicate fluvial conditions. Additionally, the high mica content in this interval may indicate meltwater inflow from the Byrranga mountains. Strong variations in accumulation rates, grain-size distribution, and heavy mineral composition are observed in the time interval between c. 10 and 6 ka, which represents the main transgression of the Laptev Sea shelf. During the uppermost interval (<6 ka), rather stable conditions similar to the modem situation prevailed.     

Sea-ice transport of riverine particles from the Laptev Sea to Fram Strait based on clay mineral studies

The aim of this study was to identify pathways and processes of modern sediment transport from the Siberian hinterland to the Laptev Sea and further to the Arctic Ocean. Clay mineral analyses were performed on riverine suspended particulate material (SPM), surface sediments of the Laptev Sea shelf, and sea-ice sediments (SIS). Material collected during seven expeditions was included in this study. Clay mineral assemblages are used to decipher the distribution of riverine sediments on the shallow Laptev Sea shelf, the entrainment of fine particles into newly forming ice, and the transport of SIS from the Laptev Sea towards the ablation areas. A cluster analysis of our data set shows that the clay mineral assemblages of Laptev Sea shelf sediments and SIS are controlled mainly by the input of riverine SPM supplied by the Khatanga, Lena, and Yana Rivers. Whereas the western shelf clay-mineral province is characterized by enhanced smectite concentrations supplied by the Khatanga River, the eastern Laptev Sea is dominated by illite discharged through the Lena and Yana Rivers. The SIS smectite concentration serves as an indicator for sediment source areas on the circum-Arctic shelves. Subsequently, the Transpolar Drift can be distinguished into a Siberian Branch fed from the eastern Kara Sea and the western Laptev Sea, and a Polar Branch originating from the eastern Laptev Sea.     

Clay-mineral distribution in surface sediments of the Eurasian Arctic Ocean and continental margin as indicator for source areas and transport pathways — a synthesis

Clay-mineral distributions in the Arctic Ocean and the adjacent Eurasian shelf areas are discussed to identify source areas and transport pathways of terrigenous material in the Arctic Ocean. The main clay minerals in Eurasian Arctic Ocean sediments are illite and chlorite. Smectite and kaolinite occur in minor amounts in these sediments, but show strong variations in the shelf areas. These two minerals are therefore reliable in reconstructions of source areas of sediments from the Eurasian Arctic. The Kara Sea and the western part of the Laptev Sea are enriched in smectite, with highest values of up to 70% in the deltas of the Ob and Yenisey rivers. Illite is the dominant clay mineral in all the investigated sediments except for parts of the Kara Sea. The highest concentrations with more than 70% illite occur in the East Siberian Sea and around Svalbard. Chlorite represents the clay mineral with lowest concentration changes in the Eastern Arctic, ranging between 10 and 25%. The main source areas for kaolinite in the Eurasian Arctic are Mesozoic sedimentary rocks on Franz-Josef Land islands. Based on clay-mineral data, transport of the clay fraction via sea ice is of minor importance for the modern sedimentary budget in the Arctic basins.     

Modern river discharge and pathways of supplied material in the Eurasian Arctic Ocean: evidence from mineral assemblages and major and minor element distribution

Clay-mineral, heavy-mineral, and elemental distributions in sediments from the Arctic Ocean and the adjacent Laptev and Kara seas can be attributed to the geology of the hinterland and the transport of terrigenous material by rivers onto the shelves. Kara Sea sediments are characterized by increased contents of smectite and elevated Ni/Al-, Ti/Al-, and Cr/Al ratios. In the western Laptev Sea sediments are enriched in smectite and clinopyroxene and increased in Ti/Al-, Cr/Al-, and Ca/Al ratios. The composition of the sediments reflects suspended matter input from the large trap basalt of the Putoran Mountains. The eastern Laptev Sea sediments display increased illite and amphibole contents as well as a chemical composition similar to average shale. This composition is due to the discharge from the Lena and Yana rivers, which drain a large catchment area consisting of sedimentary Mesozoic and Paleozoic rocks. Material from the eastern Laptev Sea is transported by ocean currents and sediment-laden sea ice along the Transpolar Drift into the central Arctic Ocean. This is indicated by similar values of Ti/Al-, Cr/Al-, Rb/Al-, and K/Al ratios as well as increased concentrations of amphibole and illite, determined in sediments from the Lomonosov Ridge. A minor input from the Beaufort Sea into the central Arctic Ocean is suggested from increased Ca/Al ratios and increased contents of opaque minerals.     

Clay Minerals in Sediments of the Arctic Seas

The distribution of clay minerals in recent sediments on the Arctic shelf off the Eurasian and North American continents is considered. Prominence is given to the East Siberian and Laptev seas. The illite belt established on the basis of the composition of clay minerals in seven Arctic seas stretches from the Beaufort Sea to the White Sea and reveals a mineralogical zonality. The belt can be devided into smectite and chlorite provinces. Factors governing the formation of the Arctic illite belt and features of the distribution of individual clay minerals are discussed. The identification of the illite belt in sediments on the Arctic shelf complements the system of planetary latitudinal zones of clay minerals formulated by previous researchers.     

REE Geochemistry of Surficial Sediments from the Yellow Sea of China

REE geochemical studies of surficial sediment samples from the Yellow Sea of China have shown:(1)The average content of RE2O3 in the Yellow Sea sediments is 175 ppm,close to that in the East China Sea sediments.The REE distribution patterns in the Yellow Sea sediments are also similar to anomalies.These REE characteristics are typical of the continental crust.(2)The contents of REE are controlled mainly by the sediment grain size,i.e.,REE contents increase gradually with decreasing sediment grain size.REE are present mainly in clay minerals.In addition,REE contents are controlled obviously by heavy minerals.REE abundances in heavy minerals are much greater than those in light minerals.(3)Correlation analysis shows that REE have a close relationship with siderophile elements,especially Ti,which has the largest correlation coefficient relative to REE.Terrigenous clastic materials subjected to weathering and transport are suggested to be the main source of REE in the Yellow Sea sediments.     

Gas-Geochemical Anomalies of Hydrocarbon Gases in the Bottom Sediments of the Lomonosov Ridge and Podvodnikov Basin of the Arctic Ocean

Doklady Earth Sciences - This paper reports new data on the composition of hydrocarbon gases in bottom sediments of the Laptev–East Siberian marginal shelf transition zone, the continental...     

New data on the subaerial low-center-polygonal relief and factors controlling its transformation and current state on the East Siberian Shelf

The problem of the current state of subaerial morphosculptures on the periglacial East Siberian Shelf is still debatable due to the lack of in situ data. Therefore, any new information contributes to the knowledge of the evolution of the Arctic environment. In view of this, a complex of interdisciplinary oceanological studies was carried out in the southeastern part of the Laptev Sea. Using a side-scan sonar, images of the bottom surface were made, which show the shape of low-center-polygonal relief of the part of the modern coastal lowland area in the coastal zone near the area under study. Possible factors controlling the state of this morphosculpture within the East Siberian Shelf area of interest are considered.     

REE geochemistry of sea-floor sediments of the continental shelf of the East China Sea

REE geochemistry has been studied of sea-floor sediments of the continental shelf of the East China Sea. The average content of RE₂O₃ is estimated at 175 ppm based on 68 sediment samples from the continental shelf. The absolute concentrations of Y and La-Lu in the sediments are shown in Table 3. The REE distribution patterns in the sediments demonstrate a distinct depletion in Eu and a negative slope. It is considered that the fragments of Mesozoie intermediate-acid igneous rocks widely distributed in southeastern China are the main source of REE in sea-floor sediments of the East China Sea continental shelf.     

Subduction-modified pelagic sediments as the enriched component in back-arc basalts from the Japan Sea: Ocean Drilling Program Sites 797 and 794

Ocean Drilling Program Legs 127 and 128 in the Yamato Basin of the Japan Sea, a Miocene-age back-arc basin in the western Pacific Ocean, recovered incompatible-element-depleted and enriched tholeiitic dolerites and basalts from the basin floor, which provide evidence of a significant sedimentary component in their mantle source. Isotopically, the volcanic rocks cover a wide range of compositions (e.g., ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.70369–0.70503, ²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=17.65–18.36) and define a mixing trend between a depleted mantle (DM) component and an enriched component with the composition of EM II. At Site 797, the combined isotope and trace element systematics support a model of two component mixing between depleted, MORB-like mantle and Pacific pelagic sediments. A best estimate of the composition of the sedimentary component has been determined by analyzing samples of differing lithology from DSDP Sites 579 and 581 in the western Pacific, east of the Japan arc. The sediments have large depletions in the high field strength elements and are relatively enriched in the large-ion-lithophile elements, including Pb. These characteristics are mirrored, with reduced amplitudes, in Japan Sea enriched tholeiites and northeast Japan arc lavas, which strengthens the link between source enrichment and subducted sediments. However, Site 579/581 sediments have higher LILE/REE and lower HFSE/REE than the enriched component inferred from mixing trends at Site 797. Sub-arc devolatilization of the sediments is a process that will lower LILE/REE and raise HFSE/REE in the residual sediment, and thus this residual sediment may serve as the enriched component in the back-arc basalt source. Samples from other potential sources of an enriched. EM II-like component beneath Japan, such as the subcontinental lithosphere or crust, have isotopic compositions which overlap those of the Japan Sea tholeiites and are not enriched enough to be the EM II end-member.     

Variability of fluvial sediment supply to the Laptev Sea continental margin during Late Weichselian to Holocene times: implications from clay–mineral records

Three sediment cores from the Laptev Sea continental margin were investigated for their clay mineralogy by X-ray diffraction to study the fluvial sediment supply since the late Weichselian. In the study area, the clay-mineral composition of surface sediments is characterized by distinct regional variations. The source area for smectite in the eastern Eurasian Basin is the Putoran Plateau drained by the Khatanga and Yenisei rivers. Currents caused by river discharge and the inflow of Atlantic water masses along the Eurasian continental margin are responsible for sediment distribution. In the sediment cores, smectite and illite contents show an opposite trend which mainly results from variable smectite supply. During MIS 2 the amount of smectite on the Laptev Sea continental margin never exceeds 10 rel.%. Probably, reduced river discharge and the lowered sea level during MIS 2 caused a decreased sediment supply to the Laptev Sea. Additionally, the Putoran Plateau was covered by an ice sheet during the Late Weichselian preventing the erosion of smectite-rich soils. In contrast, maximum smectite contents (up to 30 rel.%) in Holocene sediments result from increased sediment input by the Khatanga River and from the Kara Sea through the Vilkitsky Strait and via St. Anna Trough into the western Laptev Sea.     

Rare earth element study of exhalites within the Willyama supergroup,Broken Hill Block,Australia

A wide variety of unusual rock types, exhalites, are commonly associated with or host to exhalative mineralisation within the Willyama Supergroup. Chondrite normalised REE patterns of feldspar-, gahnite-, calcite-, magnetite-and garnet-rich lithologies in the vicinity of stratiform Broken Hill-type Pb-Zn-Ag mineralisation are LREE and Eu enriched similar to the REE patterns of pure metalliferous sediments and hydrothermal fluids of the East Pacific Rise and the Red Sea. In contrast, tourmaline-, garnet-, amphibole-, feldspar- and gahnite-rich exhalites in strike extension of Broken Hill-type orebodies possess LREE enrichments and negative Eu anomalies and also HREE enrichments and negative Ce anomalies. These REE patterns are the result of decreasing temperatures of the hydrothermal fluids, changing oxidation-reduction conditions and increasing influence of basic volcanism with increasing distance from the sulphide mineralisation.     

中国大陆架海底沉积物中的稀土元素

选择渤海、黄海、东海和南海有代表性的大陆架沉积物样品,利用X射张荧光光谱法测定了15个稀土元素。中国大陆架沉积物稀土元素的丰度为156ppm,相对接近于中国黄土和花岗岩的丰度,而与太平洋沉积物的丰度相差较远,具有明显的“亲陆性”。稀土的配分模式旦显著的负斜率,属陆壳稀土的典型特征。稀土含量受沉积物粒度控制。实验表明稀土主要以类质同像存在于粘土矿物之晶体构造中。根据数理统计,稀土与亲陆源粘土矿物的元素为一类,彼此呈正相关;与亲海洋生物的元素为负相关。事实说明中国大陆岩石的风化和搬运,是中国海大陆架沉积物中稀土的主要物质来源。     

辽东湾东南部海域柱状沉积物稀土元素地球化学特征与物源识别

对辽东湾东南部海域LDC30孔沉积物稀土元素（REE）、粒度等指标进行了分析,研究了其沉积物中稀土元素组成特征及其控制因素,并对其物质来源进行了探讨。结果表明,LDC30孔沉积物ΣREE平均值为149.49 μg/g,略高于黄海和东海,但是低于渤海和南海,并且低于全球沉积物ΣREE的平均值。研究区沉积物REE配分模式表现为明显的轻稀土富集、重稀土相对亏损;δEu的平均值为0.71,为中度亏损,δCe无异常;轻稀土与重稀土之间的分异作用较强,且轻重稀土内部分异明显。根据沉积物REE垂向变化特征,可将LDC30岩芯以51cm为界划分为两段,上段（0~51 cm）ΣREE含量随着深度的减小而呈增加的趋势,下段（51~99 cm）ΣREE含量在垂向上没有明显的波动变化,并且上段较下段稀土分异明显。δCe整体上比较稳定,但是在上段（0~51 cm）呈现下降的趋势。δEu垂向上也相对稳定的趋势。该孔沉积物REE参数与粒度之间无明显的相关性,REE组成不受粒度的控制,但重矿物对REE的组成和分布状况有重要的影响。LDC30孔沉积物物质来源比较稳定,并且具有强烈的陆源特征,其沉积物主要来源于辽东湾北部河流（大辽河、小凌河、双台子河等）,同时辽东湾西部河流滦河可能对LDC30孔上段沉积物有一定贡献。     

南海表层沉积物中细粒组分的稀土元素地球化学特征

对南海表层沉积物中的细粒组分进行电感耦合等离子体质谱法测试, 探讨南海稀土元素分布特征及其影响因素.结果表明, 南海表层沉积物中稀土元素分布主要与陆源物质输入、生物活动和火山物质补给密切相关.南海细粒组分的配分模式与中国黄土的接近, 与周边的珠江、湄公河等河流输入物质也有相似性, 而与南海碱性玄武岩存在显著差异, 表明南海沉积物主要来自于周边大陆.稀土元素趋势分析表明, 珠江口往外至海南岛南部海域中沉积物朝东南方向向陆坡输送; 台西南至珠江口往外海域沉积物大多向南输运; 吕宋岛西部海域包括黄岩岛附近海域的火山物质主要向西北方向输送, 向西可达113°E、向北可至20°N附近; 南海南部沉积物整体上向南沙海槽西北部附近海域输送.      

Permafrost and Gas Hydrates on the East Siberian Arctic Shelf

Doklady Earth Sciences - In the north of the shallow East Siberian Arctic Shelf (the Laptev and East Siberian seas), based on CDP (common depth point) seismic data for 71 lines with total length of...     

Initial geologic hydrocarbon resources of the Laptev Sea shelf

Formation of the passive continental margin of the Laptev Sea (Laptev Plate), which was part of the Siberian Platform till the Late Cretaceous, was related to the Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic rifting of the Arctic geodepression. The regime of the passive continental margin still continues. The maximum thickness of the deposits of this age seems to exceed 6 km in the northeastern part of the shelf. The hydrocarbon resources of the Late Precambrian–Cenozoic deposits forming the Laptev Plate cover are evaluated. Based on the concept of the similar evolution of the Laptev Plate and Vilyui syneclise, the geochemical characteristics of dispersed organic matter of the coeval deposits of the Vilyui syneclise are used.     

中国近海沿岸泥的地球化学特征及其指示意义

中国海域辽阔，分为渤海、黄海、东海和南海4个海区。各海区沿中国大陆均有呈斑块状或条带状的泥质沉积分布。选取各沿岸泥的代表性样品，采用先进的XRF和ICP－MS等方法，测定了K、Li、Rb、Cs、Mg、Ca、Sr、Ba、Al、Fe、Ti、Be、Nb、Ta、W、Sn、Bi、La、Ce、Th。元素的地球化学研究表明：渤海和黄海、东海、南海沿岸泥的地球化学特征分别与黄河、长江、珠江沉积物的地球化学特征一致，显示了元素的物源效应；从渤海到南海，由于气候的变化使沿岸泥中某些元素有所流失或富集，显示了元素的气候效应；中国沿岸泥元素的丰度相对接近中国大陆沉积物的丰度，而异于西太平洋褐色粘土和深海粘土的丰度，显示了元素的亲陆性。     

Upper Devonian depositional system of Bel’kov Island (New Siberian Islands): An intracontinental rift or a continental margin?

The archipelago of New Siberian Islands situated on the northeastern continental shelf of Eurasia is considered a part of an exotic terrane that collided with Siberia in the Early Cretaceous. Bel’kov Island is located close to the inferred western boundary of this terrane and thus should demonstrate attributes of its localization at the margin of the Paleozoic oceanic basin. The Upper Devonian section on Bel’kov Island is a continuous sequence of deepwater terrigenous rocks, which indicates a tendency toward deepening of the basin previously revealed on adjacent Kotel’ny Island. The lowermost Upper Devonian unit on Bel’kov Island is represented by thin Domanik-like strata resting on the Middle Devonian carbonate platform. The main body of the Upper Devonian sequence, more than 4 km in total thickness, is made up of gravity-flow sediments including turbidites, clay and block diamictites, and olistostromes in the upper part of the section, which accumulated at the slope of the basin or its rise. At many levels, these sediments have been redeposited by along-slope currents. The uppermost unit of organogenic limestone is evidence for compensation of the trough. According to conodont assemblages, the deepwater terrigenous rocks were deposited from the early Frasnian to the early Tournaisian. This time is known for extensive rifting in the eastern Siberian Platform. The data obtained allowed us to reconstruct a NNW-trending Late Devonian rift basin on the Laptev Sea shelf similar to other rifts at the eastern margin of the Siberian Platform.     

Late mesozoic volcanism of the east-arctic continental margin of Eurasia (East Siberian Sea) based on seismic data

Analysis of the geology of the islands and interpretation of seismic sections of the western part of the East Siberian Sea shelf revealed two types of basaltic magmatism. The Cretaceous fissure volcanism mostly developed in the Anzhu trough. The south wall of the New Siberian basin contains a cone-shaped paleoedifice, which is evidence of the formation of the central type volcanoes.