末次盛冰期以来冲绳海槽中部沉积物有机碳和磷的地球化学研究

利用元素及同位素地球化学方法研究了冲绳海槽中部沉积物岩芯中有机碳及磷的地球化学特征及影响因素。结果表明,冲绳海槽沉积速率（16.5~32.5 cm/ka）变化小,不是沉积物中有机碳埋藏的重要影响因素。相对于全新世氧化性底水环境,末次盛冰期/冰消期冲绳海槽缺氧底水环境提高了沉积物对有机碳的埋藏效率。冲绳海槽沉积物中各形态磷的相对含量与其他边缘海沉积物中的相似。交换态磷（Ex-P）含量低、变化小。末次盛冰期/冰消期缺氧底水环境下铁氧化物的还原溶解导致铁结合磷（Fe-P）释放以及自生磷矿物（Au-P）的形成。全新世氧化性底水条件有利于铁氧化物的有效再生及对磷的再吸附,但不利于Au-P的保存。总有机碳（TOC）和有机磷（Org-P）之间良好的相关性表明TOC埋藏对Org-P含量的重要控制作用。冲绳海槽沉积物中碎屑磷（De-P）含量低于长江口及东海陆架沉积物中的含量,这与陆源碎屑向外海传输减弱有关。在约9.3 ka BP（岩芯200 cm深度）,TOC、Fe-P、Org-P、De-P以及Fe_HR均出现的极小值可能由物质坡移造成。     

大气粉尘气溶胶中铁氧化物的光谱分析

首次利用浸反射光谱装置（DRS）对中国大气粉法气溶胶中铁氧化物进行了研究，结果表明，在可见光范围，粉尘样品反射光谱的一阶导数曲线，在435nm和560nm对样品中的针铁矿和赤铁矿有识别指示意义，样品中铁的含量与赤铁矿和针铁矿的一阶导数峰值相关性良好，同时发现，红、登、黄3种颜色的反射率随样品中铁含量的增加而增加，而紫、绿、蓝3种颜色的反射率随样品中铁含量的增加而减少，这表明铁氧化在粉尘气溶胶对可见光的散射和吸收效应中扮演着重要的角色。     

东海外陆架厚层砂质沉积岩石磁学特征

对位于东海外陆架潮流沙脊分布区的DH03孔(进尺101.6 m,水深96 m)上部0～48 m层位的砂质沉积样品进行了岩石磁学测试分析。研究结果表明:砂质沉积物中的主要磁性组分为陆源碎屑型磁铁矿(Fe_3O_4),并含有少量赤铁矿(Fe_2O_3);不同层位沉积物中的磁性矿物的粒径差别非常显著,几乎涵盖从单畴(SD)、准单畴(PSD)乃至多畴(MD)的各种磁畴状态,不利于相对古强度(RPI)的应用,这与研究区复杂多变的水动力过程和物质来源密切相关;同时,部分层位沉积物中原生的铁氧化物特别是磁铁矿已经发生了一定程度的成岩改造,形成了少量的自生胶黄铁矿(Fe_3S_4),指示了较高的有机碳供应和沉积速率;此外,磁性矿物含量随深度变化也较为明显。揭示了东海外陆架砂质沉积物中磁性矿物的复杂性。     

西南极海沉积硒的地球化学状态

根据1984年11月—1985年4月首次南大洋考察所取得的样品和资料,通过萃取液萃取并利用荧光素法测定不同形态硒,对硒在南大洋沉积物中的地球化学状态进行了研究。结果表明,西南大洋表层沉积物的总硒含量为278－1168×（10-9）,其与粘土粒级有较密切的关系。硒含量的地理分布表现为海湾＞半深海＞外陆架;沉积物中硒含量不同,但其地球化学形态分配比基本相同,分别为可交换态占15％,有机结合态占36％,无机盐态占4％,晶质氧化物态占9％,矿物晶格态占37％;沉积物剖面中间隙水硒的含量变化与铁一致,在铁氧化物还原带达到峰值;可交换态硒的含量随深度的增加而升高,而晶质氧化物态的含量则随深度而降低;有机质的早期成岩分解是沉积硒参与再循环的主要来源;计算得出沉积柱表面逸入上覆海水的硒通量为3．5ng／（cm2·a）,沉积通量为13．4ng／（cm2·a）。     

冲绳海槽北部CSH1孔岩石磁学特征及其早期成岩作用的影响

以2~4 cm为间隔,对冲绳海槽北部的CSH1孔岩心(17.36 m)进行了岩石磁学研究.根据岩心上部的两个特征火山灰层和浮游有孔虫组合分析建立了钻孔的时间框架,沉积物底部年龄可能为50 ka.除了在三个火山灰层和近表层向下的快速降低外,整个钻孔磁学参数的变化甚小,未能反映出50 ka来的气候变化.与大多数沉积物不同,该钻孔大多数层位的S值(S=-IRM-0.3T/SIRM,它代表了低矫顽力磁性矿物的含量)小于0.9,指示钻孔沉积物中存在相当比例的高矫顽力磁性矿物.代表性沉积物样品的磁化率-温度(K-T)曲线除了存在580℃磁铁矿的居里温度之外,还显示200~350℃的居里温度,指示样品中存在铁硫化物(胶黄铁矿-磁黄铁矿).这与加热过程中有刺鼻的臭味、加热后的沉积物变黑对铁硫化物的指示相吻合.自生成因的铁硫化物的存在以及表层磁性参数的快速降低,都明确表明沉积物遭受了早期成岩作用.除了三个火山灰层以外钻孔的其他层位无特征磁学变化,表明沉积物后来受到的改造作用强烈,磁学参数所蕴含的原始气候信号被破坏.在这一系列氧化-还原过程中消耗了沉积物中的有机质和水溶液中的硫酸盐,造成了沉积物中铁、锰元素的重新溶解和沉淀等.     

西北太平洋山间盆地沉积物有机碳质量累积速率及影响因素

海洋碳汇作用是大洋生态系统的重要生态系统服务功能,不仅影响着海洋生态系统的能量流动,也是元素循环的重要驱动力。本文以中国大洋48航次采集自西北太平洋典型海山区海盆的沉积物样品和资料为基础,对西北太平洋山间盆地沉积物有机碳质量累积速率(F_orgc)特征及影响因素展开初步研究。结果表明,西北太平洋山间盆地有机碳质量累积速率变化范围为1.41～1.73 g/(m²·ka),均值为1.60 g/(m²·ka),以中部偏西海区的有机碳质量累积速率最高;全区平均净初级生产力转移效率约为0.003 1%。西北太平洋山间盆地有机碳质量累积速率和净初级生产力转移效率均低于东太平洋海区和赤道太平洋海区。本区有机碳质量累积速率受水层和沉积层的生物地球化学循环驱动因素,如海洋净初级生产力、沉积物质量累积速率、有机碳含量、氧化还原电位等的综合影响,同时也受距海山距离、水深等地形因子的影响。     

冲绳海槽北部CS1孔岩石磁学特征及其早期成岩作用的影响

以2～4cm为间隔，对冲绳海槽北部的CSH1孔岩心（17．36m）进行了岩石磁学研究．根据岩心上部的两个特征火山灰层和浮游有孔虫组合分析建立了钻孔的时间框架，沉积物底部年龄可能为50ka．除了在三个火山灰层和近表层向下的快速降低外，整个钻孔磁学参数的变化甚小，未能反映出50ka来的气候变化．与大多数沉积物不同，该钻孔大多数层位的S值（S=-IRM-0.3T/SIRM，它代表了低矫顽力磁性矿物的含量）小于0.9，指示钻孔沉积物中存在相当比例的高矫顽力磁性矿物．代表性沉积物样品的磁化率-温度（K-T）曲线除了存在580℃磁铁矿的居里温度之外，还显示200-350℃的居里温度，指示样品中存在铁硫化物（胶黄铁矿-磁黄铁矿）．这与加热过程中有刺鼻的臭味、加热后的沉积物变黑对铁硫化物的指示相吻合．自生成因的铁硫化物的存在以及表层磁性参数的快速降低，都明确表明沉积物遭受了早期成岩作用．除了三个火山灰层以外钻孔的其他层位无特征磁学变化，表明沉积物后来受到的改造作用强烈，磁学参数所蕴含的原始气候信号被破坏．在这一系列氧化-还原过程中消耗了沉积物中的有机质和水溶液中的硫酸盐，造成了沉积物中铁、锰元素的重新溶解和沉淀等．     

渤海新近纪古湖发育的直接证据

通过渤海5口钻井的沉积有机质分析,以沉积有机质中浮游藻类丰度和类型、无定形有机质含量变化以及地层序列中富藻沉积层发育程度。作为指示湖相沉积环境发育的标志,确定渤海新近纪湖相沉积层的分布特征及渤海古坳陷湖的发育特征。分析表明,浮游藻类和无定形有机质含量高的层段在馆陶组和明下段都有分布,但发育最好的是在明下段下部。这是渤海新近纪湖相沉积地层存在的直接证据。从湖相沉积发育的差异看,馆陶组和明化镇组时期的古湖有着不同的特征,馆陶组早期渤海的湖泊可能很小,馆陶组中、晚期为湖泊扩张期,从含浮游藻类和无定形有机质沉积层纵向变化频繁出现可以看出浅湖沉积环境的不稳定性。新近纪古湖的盛期是在明下段下部沉积时段,当时渤海淡水湖泊普遍存在。     

南海北部陆缘下侏罗统古地磁与岩石磁学结果

前人研究表明,粤东海盆、南沙地块东部、加里曼丹西部存在晚三叠—早侏罗世海相地层,并且沉积相和古生物的对比认为它们在晚三叠—早侏罗世可能属同一海盆。文章对广东梅县、惠州和东莞的下侏罗统进行了古地磁研究,试图从古地磁的角度探讨粤东海盆、南沙地块东部、加里曼丹西部是否同属一个海盆。本文退磁结果表明,梅县玄武岩样品分离出低温剩磁和高温特征剩磁;惠州样品只有少数能分离出低温剩磁,难以统计方向;东莞红层样品分离出低温剩磁、中温剩磁和高温特征剩磁。梅县和东莞低温剩磁方向与当地现代地磁场方向一致,为现代地磁场的重磁化结果。所有采点中,只有2个采点分离出了高温特征剩磁,难以用褶皱检验方法检验高温特征剩磁是否原生剩磁。若用华南地块早侏罗世、中—晚侏罗世和白垩纪参考极限定东莞和梅县磁倾角大小,对比东莞中温剩磁、高温特征剩磁和梅县高温特征剩磁褶皱展平0—100%的倾角范围,讨论各剩磁在褶皱展平的形成阶段,结果为东莞中温剩磁在褶皱展平70%—80%时获得;东莞高温特征剩磁可能在褶皱展平后获得;但无法确定梅县高温特征剩磁最可能在哪个褶皱展平阶段获得。磁组构揭示了东莞红层沉积和压实特征,增加了东莞高温特征剩磁为原生剩磁的可能性。等温剩磁曲线、热退磁曲线和交变退磁曲线表明,东莞红层的携磁矿物为赤铁矿;梅县玄武岩部分样品携磁矿物为磁铁矿,部分样品携磁矿物为赤铁矿。文章的古地磁结果虽然未能回答"粤东海盆、南沙地块东部、加里曼丹西部是否同属一个海盆"的科学问题,但为今后进一步的古地磁工作提供了有用信息。     

中全新世以来南黄海岩心记录的沉积环境演变对东亚季风的响应

对南黄海中部泥质沉积区中心位置的Z1钻孔进行了AMS14 C年龄、粒度和TOC/TN分析,综合指标结果揭示了中晚全新世以来南黄海区域的沉积环境演化。自6 094aBP以来,沉积速率、平均粒径和TOC/TN整体趋势的减少指示,研究区陆源物质输入的减少与东亚冬/夏季风的减弱有关。根据粒度参数和TOC/TN变化将研究区沉积环境演化分成3个阶段:16.1~5.4ka BP时沉积物粒度最粗,TOC/TN值较高,这与该阶段东亚冬季风的强盛且稳定和黄海暖流的形成初期较弱有关;25.4~3.9ka BP时沉积物粒度减小但波动幅度较大,TOC/TN值呈减小趋势,此阶段东亚冬季风减弱但波动剧烈;33.9~0ka BP时沉积物粒度较细且相对稳定,TOC/TN增加直至趋于稳定,该阶段冬季风减至最弱且趋于稳定。另外岩心记录的6.0、5.3、4.6、4.0和3.4ka BP沉积物粒度明显较粗、TOC/TN值较大与东亚冬季风增强、海区温度较低有关;6.1~5.7ka BP的高速沉积与冬季风强盛有关;2.8~1.9ka BP的高速沉积则与黄海沿岸流和黄海暖流共同作用形成的南黄海中部气旋式冷涡的加强稳固有关。     

Hydrothermal indications of Early Cretaceous red beds in lacustrine successions,North Yellow Sea Basin,eastern China

Controversies over the origin of globally distributed Cretaceous red beds have mainly focused on climate vs. weathering with potential hydrothermal influence. In comparison to Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds, Cretaceous lacustrine red beds exhibit chronological inconsistencies and their diverse tectonic settings suggest differing genetic mechanisms. In this paper, Early Cretaceous red beds in the North Yellow Sea Basin, one of Mesozoic rift basins in eastern China that are associated with multi-phase magmatic activities, was chosen to document potential hydrothermal impact. Geological and geochemical analyses show that these red beds were syndepositional products developed in shallow to moderately deep lacustrine environments and that they were influenced by hydrothermal activity. Major and trace elements, including enhanced Al₂O₃-normalized Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ (total) values, Al/(Al + Fe + Mn) and (Fe + Mn)/Ti ratios, Ni-Co-Zn and Fe-Mn-(Ni + Co + Cu)*10, ∑REE-La/Yb, the concentrations of hydrothermally-related ions, invalid redox indicators of trace elements, abnormally high Fe₂O₃ (total) content, positive Eu anomaly, correlation of Fe₂O₃ (total) and Eu anomaly, and vitrinite reflectance (Ro) vs. total organic carbon (TOC), all show strong hydrothermal fluid influence and heating effects. By integrating and comparing data from previous studies, we propose a hydrothermally affected sedimentation model for Cretaceous red beds and associated sediments in magma-activated lacustrine basins, and conclude that the enriched metallic ions introduced by the hydrothermal fluids may be the most significant reason for the deposition of the red beds, and the flushed ferric ions, accompanied by hydrothermal fluid, are the main ions that are hosted inside hematite causing the red sediment. This model can be applied to similar lacustrine basins that experience strong magmatic activity.     

Late Quaternary history of contourite drifts and variations in Labrador Current flow,Flemish Pass,offshore eastern Canada

Contourite drifts of alternating sand and mud, shaped by the Labrador Current, formed during the late Quaternary in Flemish Pass seaward of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Canada. The drifts preserve a record of Labrador Current flow variations through the last glacial maximum. A high-resolution seismic profile and a transect of four cores were collected across Beothuk drift on the southeast side of Flemish Pass. Downcore and lateral trends in grain size and sedimentation rate provide evidence that, between 16 and 13 ka, sediment was partitioned across Beothuk drift and the adjacent Flemish Pass floor by a strong current flow but, from 29 to 16 ka, sedimentation was more of a blanketing style, represented by draped reflections interpreted as being due to a weaker current. The data poorly resolve the low sedimentation rates since 13 ka, but the modern Labrador Current in Flemish Pass is the strongest it has been in at least the past 29 ka. Pre-29 ka current flow is interpreted based on reflection architecture in seismic profiles. A prominent drift on the southwestern side of Flemish Pass formed above a mid-Miocene erosion surface, but was buried by a mass-transport deposit after the penultimate glacial maximum and after drift deposition switched to eastern Flemish Pass. These findings illustrate the temporal complexity of drift sedimentation and provide the first detailed proxy for Labrador Current flow since the last glacial maximum.     

深海嗜热异化铁还原菌Caloranaerobacter ferrireducens DY22619T对不同铁氧化物的铁还原特性

异化铁还原微生物在铁元素的地球化学循环中具有重要意义。深海热液活动是大洋铁元素的重要来源,目前深海热液环境中铁代谢相关微生物研究很少。本文对一株分离自深海热液区的嗜热异化铁还原菌新种Caloranaerobacter ferrireducens DY22619T的铁还原特性进行分析,比较了该菌对无定形羟基氧化铁、无定形铁氧化物和针铁矿3种不同铁氧化物的铁还原速率;并利用透射电镜对矿化产物进行矿物形貌、组成元素和晶型的分析。研究发现该菌生长在指数期至稳定期时,铁还原速率最快,其中对无定形羟基氧化铁和无定形铁氧化物的还原速率较高,达2.82 μmol/h和2.15 μmol/h;透射电镜结果表明,该菌可将3种不同胞外铁氧化物均还原矿化形成颗粒状磁铁矿,由针铁矿矿化形成的磁铁矿少但粒径最大,而由无定形铁氧化物形成的磁铁矿晶面不同于另外两种铁氧化物。结果表明,该菌有很强的铁还原和矿化能力,能厌氧呼吸还原三价铁氧化物,但是铁氧化物的性质对该菌胞外铁还原能力和矿化形成的磁铁矿的性质有重要影响。本研究为认识深海热液环境中异化铁还原菌在铁元素的地球化学循环和生物成矿过程提供了参考。     

山东荣成成山头“柳夼红层”的层序、划分与成因及其气候意义(Ⅱ)

四、“柳夼红层”的物质组成 本文(Ⅰ)所列“柳夼红层”剖面地层层序进行了物相、粒度、X衍射和ESR年代测定,其结果与宏观观察结果相吻合。 “柳夼红层”,剖面序列,层位和时代有所不同,成因有别,而在物质组成上却大同小异,表现出从晚更新世早期至全新世地层,其物源供应基本相同,都来源于燕山期斑状花岗岩的风化破碎产物,属就地近源搬运。     

西太平洋卡罗琳海域沉积速率:来自3种测年方法的限定

为了更好地认识西太平洋暖池区北部卡罗琳海域沉积速率的变化,利用放射性碳测试（14C）、氧同位素及古地磁方法对采自西太平洋卡罗琳地区一根长217 cm的柱状样开展了综合年代学分析。14C数据获取了样品上部44.3 ka BP以来的年代数据,在此基础上利用氧同位素及古地磁相对强度数据建立了该柱125 cm至表层的年代框架,对应为MIS4期（约8万年）以来的沉积。进一步分析发现本柱在126～127 cm处存在明显沉积间断,虽然该处已超出14C测年范围,但古地磁测试结果表明该柱位于布容正极性时期,同时古地磁强度与氧同位素的变化关系为沉积间断以下年代数据获取提供了可信的证据,表明该阶段对应距今13万年至18万年时期。本柱沉积速率在沉积间断前后均较为一致,为1～2 cm/ka。同时对比不同方法获取的沉积速率之间差异后,发现个别层位可能由于较高的有孔虫破壳率,导致14C值存在较大偏差。     

Sorption of transition metals on manganese and iron oxides,and silicate minerals

Experiments of sorption of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn on manganese oxides, hydrated ferric oxide, Na-montmorillonite and treated red clay are carried out in connection with the mechanisms by which transition metals are removed from seawater in marine environments.The order of sorption affinities of transition metals for Na-montmorillonite, treated red clay and hydrated ferric oxide is Mn相似文献   

Holocene sea level trend on the west coast of Bohai Bay,China: reanalysis and standardization

Using 110 newly revised Holocene sea level indicators categorized into three types, sediments (67), shelly cheniers (27) and oyster reefs (16), this paper firstly provides a Holocene relative sea level curve, based on multiple approaches of litho- and biostratigraphies and sedimentary faces analysis, for the west coast of Bohai Bay, China. Following considerations, including indicative meaning, the paleo tidal pattern and range and conversion from mean tidal level to mean sea level, an apparent relative mean sea level (RMSL) curve was further reconstructed. After systematical calibration using CALIB, those of the 48 reworked samples were further corrected for the residence-time effect. Similarly, the younger ages for another 35 samples were chosen at the subsample level. These result in a younger-oriented shift for about 0.5 ka. Three local spatial factors, including neotectonic subsidence (average rate about 0.1 mm/a), self-compaction of unconsolidated sediments (between a few decimeters to about 6 m) and subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal (between a few centimeters to about 2.5 m), were quantitatively corrected. Finally, the amended RMSL curve after eliminating all these local temporo-spatial factors is very likely to show non-existence of mid-Holocene highstand and imply potential influences of both ice-volume equivalent sea level and regional glacial isostatic adjustment. Although it is still unable to divide both global and regional factors, the slowdown of sea level rise, in 7.5–6.8 ka with a maximum height less than +1 m, may constrain the model effort in the near future.     

Late Quaternary Evolution of Amvrakikos Gulf,Western Greece

Amvrakikos Gulf is a Neogene basin, formed during a late extensional tectonic phase within the Plio-Quaternary period. It is a semienclosed embayment, separated from the Ionian Sea by a shallow (< 10 m) channel. The analysis of 3.5-kHz seismic reflection profiles shows that, during the last (Würm) glacial period, the parts of the Gulf that lie at water depths >41 m (below present sea level) were a paleo-lake while the rest were exposed to subaerial erosion. Subsequent offshore depositional sequences accumulated at rates of 1.2–2.3 m/ka.     

Depositional environment in the southern Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Sea of Japan), during the last 48 000 years

The present study is based on the sedimentological data from a piston core KCES1 off the southern Ulleung Basin margin, the East Sea (Sea of Japan). The data include sediment color (L^*), X-ray radiographs, grain size distribution and AMS¹⁴C date. Four kinds of sediments (homogeneous, laminated, crudely laminated and hybrid sediments) are identified according to the characters of the sedimentary structures that were considered to reflect changes in bottom-water oxygenation. Alternations of dark laminated/crudely laminated sediments and light homogeneous sediments represent millennial-scale variations that are possibly associated with the high-resolution changes in the East Asian monsoon (EAM). The relative contributions of the East China Sea Coastal Water (ECSCW) and the Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) were likely the main reasons for the repetition of the anoxic and oxic depositional conditions in the East Sea since the last 48 ka BP. During the interstadial, the strengthen summer EAM was attributed to the expansion of the ECSCW because of more humid climate in central Asia, and then more strongly low-salinity, nutrient-enriched water was introduced into the East Sea. The ventilation of deep water was restricted and therefore the dark laminated layer deposited under the anoxic bottom water condition. During the lowest stand of sea level in the last glacial maximum (LGM), the isolated East Sea dominated by stratiˉed water masses and the euxinic depositional environment formed. The homogenous sediments have been predominating since 17.5 ka BP indicating that the TWC has intruded into the East Sea gradually with the stepwise rise of sea level and the bottom water oxygen level was high. During the late Younger Dryas (YD) period, the last dark laminated layer deposited because the ventilation of bottom water was restricted by stronger summer EAM. The TWC strengthened and the bottom water became oxic again from 10.5 ka BP.     

Marine ferromanganese concretions from the polish exclusive economic zone: Influence of major inflows of north sea water

Ferromanganese concretions within the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are found mainly in the depth range 60–70 m on the thresholds between the Bomholm Basin and Slupsk Furrow and between the Gotland and Gdansk Basins. They also occur on elevations of the seafloor within the Bomholm Basin, on the southern slopes of Slupsk Furrow, and on the lower southwestern slopes of the Gotland Basin. They occur mainly as surface deposits on very thin (<0.2 m), poorly sorted lag deposits. The concretions are predominantly discoidal and are formed around a single nucleus of sandstone or erratic rock of variable size. The ferromanganese oxides display internal layering with alternate layers of almost black manganese oxides and buff iron axyhydroxides. The concretions consist mainly of todorokite and quartz, with lesser amounts of feldspar, kaolinite, and montmorillonite. They are characterized by relatively high Fe/Mn ratios (0.9–3.5) and high contents of detrital elements (Ti, Na, K, Ca, and Mg) but low contents of the transition elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, and Ni). The deposits are associated with the very dynamic environment near the halocline, where internal waves erode the sediment and create conditions of sediment nondeposition favorable for the formation of the concretions. A number of factors contribute to the high abundance of ferromanganese concretions in the Baltic Sea. One is the high input of iron and manganese by the rivers draining into it This is a consequence of the widespread occurrence of bogs and swamps in the catchment area of the Baltic Sea, which results in the river waters having high humic acid contents and low pH. Another major factor is the buildup of dissolved iron and manganese in the anoxic basins of the Baltic Sea during periods of stagnation. These waters are flushed during major inflow events, when oxygenated water from the North Sea displaces the stagnant waters of the anoxic basins. Iron and manganese in these waters are then transported laterally and deposited in the surface of ferromanganese concretions on topographic highs. We believe that the iron is deposited rapidly after such events but that the manganese is deposited over a much longer time period, thus accounting for the layering in the concretions. The rate of deposition of these elements is essentially controlled by the input of oxygen in the waters of the North Sea. These periods of major inflows are grouped but significant events, for concretions occur on average about 11 times per century. We therefore estimate that the concretions have grown much more slowly than previously thought (about 0.013–0.018 mm/yr), and that a concretion 20 mm in diameter would have an age of about 500–800 years. Higher concentrations of heavy metals have been recorded in the outer layers of the concretions, and it is possible that these can serve as indicators of heavy‐metal pollution in the Baltic Sea. The concretions range from sporadic to intermediate abundance. As such, they have no economic potential.