Distribution of some rare and trace elements in modern bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea

The features of the distribution of some rare and trace elements in modern bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea have been studied from samples collected during cruises 35, 39, and 41 of the R/V Rift and the cruise of the R/V Nikifor Shurekov in 2013. It was established that bottom sediments in different areas of the Caspian Sea vary to some degree in the contents of Zr, Hf, Th, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Sr, and Ba in comparison to suspended matter discharged by the Volga River and rivers originating in the Caucasus. As follows from the results of a comparison of the geochemical features of modern bottom sediments of the Volga River delta and different sedimentary subsystems of the Caspian Sea with the chemical composition of Middle Archean granitoids and Paleozoic and Mesozoic–Cenozoic basalts, which are regarded as geochemical images of such provenance areas as the basement of East European Platform, Urals, and Caucasus, none of these regions is considered the dominant provenance area for all sedimentary subsystems of the Caspian Sea region. Here, the revealed similarity between modern bottom sediments of the northern, central and southern Caspian Sea regions, the Volga River delta, and Post-Archean average Australian shale (PAAS) in some parameters, including REE spectra, assumes that the Volga River discharge plays a dominant role in the formation of the geochemical image of Caspian Sea subsystems. The role of clastics, including the fine-grained fraction, which is supplied to the Caspian Sea from the Caucasus region and Elburz Mountains, is insignificant already in the coastal area, which is determined both by influence of the marginal filter (MF) and large-scale cholestatic current circulation.     

Evolution of the Northern Caspian Sea Region and the Volga delta in the late Pleistocene-Holocene

On the basis of geologic-geomorphologic studies, an alternative concept regarding the evolution of the Northern Caspian Sea Region and the adjacent areas in the boundary of the Pleistocene-Holocene is presented. A supposition is made about the existence of a large lagoon in the North Caspian Region that the Volga River emptied into forming a delta. Later, water from the lagoon flowed as a “stratum” stream into the Black Sea through the Manych Strait. A conclusion is reached that the Baer mounds were formed on the bottom of this stream.     

Composition of fragmental minerals of the surface layer of bottom sediments in the Caspian Sea

The mineral composition of heavy and light subfractions of the modern bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea is studied. The concentration of the minerals in the Caspian Sea made it possible to identify nine terrigeneous mineralogical provinces in its area. Based on the mineral composition of the heavy subfraction of the bottom sediments, the main sources of the fragmentary material supply are established. The distribution of the terrigeneous minerals over the bottom area in the modern bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea depends on the sources of the fragmentary material; the stability and flotation properties of minerals; the morphology of the bottom; and the hydrodynamic conditions.     

南海东部海域的沉积作用和物质来源研究

1998年在南海东部海域采集了195个表层和24个柱状沉积物样,对沉积作用和物质来源研究表明:(1)南海东部海域具有典型的边缘海沉积特征,沉积物主要由陆源碎屑、生物碎屑、火山碎屑、浊流沉积物组成,沉积作用具有多样性;(2)黄岩岛以北海区沉积物中基性岩组分含量为23.2%,陆源硅铝质组分含量为76.8%,这两种组分的理论计算值与海底沉积物实际分布相一致;(3)由碎屑矿物分析得出陆源矿物、混合矿物、自生铁锰矿物和中基性火山矿物四种矿物组合区,矿物组成和含量差异反映了物源和沉积环境的变化;(4)对沉积物中大于0.063 mm的物质全组分分析表明,生源组分占66.97%,其中钙质生物含量为23.43%,硅质生物含量为43.54%,钙质生物高值区主要分布在水深小于3 500 m的海区,硅质生物高值区主要分布在水深大于3 500 m的深水区;(5)南海东部海域火山沉积作用明显,海底扩张区沉积物中铜、钡、铁、锰、钴、镍、砷等金属物质分布与海底构造和海底中基性火山活动密切相关;(6)对沉积物粒度、物质组成和生物化石组合分析表明北部陆坡区69柱187.5~190.0,287.5~280.0,377.5~380.0 cm,深海平原区149柱157~187,187~194 cm,南部陆坡区323柱280~350 cm在粒度上表现出浊流沉积特征;(7)对锶同位素物源示踪和粒度、矿物的研究表明,北部陆源碎屑向南一直扩散到约17 N,西吕宋海槽是亚洲大陆物质特别是我国大陆物质向南海东部海域输运的主要通道.     

Origin of hydrocarbons in the particulate matter and bottom sediments of the northern shelf of the Caspian Sea

Data are presented on the content and composition of hydrocarbons (HC) (aliphatic, AHC and polyaromatic, PAH) in the filtered particulate matter and in the surface layer of the bottom sediments on the northern shelf of the Caspian Sea and related to the data on their content in the Volga River estuary. Because of the transformation and precipitation of anthropogenic and natural compounds, the HC composition in the particulate matter and bottom sediments undergoes transformations caused by the mixing of fresh and saline waters (in the bottom sediments, within the concentration ranges 70.4–4557.9 μ g/g for AHC and 3.8–4800 ng/g for PAH). It was found that the greatest concentrating of HC proceeds in the region of the avalanche sedimentation, and their content is independent of the grain-size type of the sediments. The anthropogenic HC (oil and pyrogenous) do not get over the marginal filter of the Volga River and do not pass to the open part of the sea.     

渤海、黄海、东海沉积物中矿物组合的研究

本文对黄海、渤海、东海以及长江、黄河、辽河表层沉积物中的轻、重矿物进行了研究。分析资料表明,调查区内共有三种类型的矿物:陆源矿物、自生矿物和海底火山喷发形成的火山型矿物。根据轻、重矿物组合的差异,可把调查区分成8个矿物区。其物质来源主要为黄河与长江。黄河物质主要沉积在黄海、渤海;长江物质沉积在东海陆架区,而冲绳海槽则发现有海底火山喷发物质与浊流沉积。     

A STUDY OF DETRITAL MINERALS IN THE SEDIMENTS FROM THE WESTERN CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN

No Jess than 90 species of detrital minerals have been identified from the fine and very fine sand grains in the sediments from the Western Central Pacific. It is demonstrated that the volcanic minerals were originated from the eruption of oceanic tholeiitic magma since the Early Pleistocene according to the mineralogical indications and the rare-earth element distribution pattern. The mineral assemblage indicates that the detrital minerals are principally of pelagic origin. But the Melanesia Basin has more terrigenous constituents of minerals, of which, the quartz content increased generally during the interglacial periods. The area of Wallis Islands, especially of the Northern Fiji Basin has relatively typical pelagic substances and less terrigenous components. The genesis of the authigenic manganese nodules is closely related to the brown clay and can also be found in the calcium carbonate sediments in form of fine grain, but not in the relatively loose calciferous volcanic ash bed in the Northern Fi     

鄂霍次克海东南部OS03-1岩心重矿物分布特征及物质来源

对鄂霍次克海东南部科学院隆起区OS03-1岩心碎屑重矿物及火山灰层进行了详细分析。岩心重矿物以紫苏辉石、绿帘石和普通角闪石为主,特征矿物为钛磁铁矿和普通辉石,矿物特征表明本岩心的物质主要来源于冰筏搬运(陆源)和火山喷发。陆源物质大部分来源于鄂霍次克海西部和北部地区,少量来自堪察加半岛冰川携带沉积物;火山物质则来源于堪察加半岛和千岛群岛的火山喷发产物。在岩心中识别出3个火山灰层,各种证据表明火山灰层1与已知的K2火山灰层相同,形成年代为26ka BP;火山灰层3具有明显火山物质与陆源物质混合特征,而火山灰层2则只能通过碎屑矿物的含量特征来判定,外在颜色不明显,已经明显的被陆源物质所稀释。研究表明,碎屑矿物组分参数可以有效地指示物质来源,也是识别火山灰层存在(特别是被陆源物质稀释)的可靠指标。     

Recent sediments of the southwestern Barents Sea

The paper is based on textural, mineralogical and chemical studies of surface and subsurface sediments from 80 stations in the southwestern Barents Sea. Dispersed phases are quantitatively insignificant in these oxic shelf sediments and it is argued that the deposits are predominantly terrigenous in origin. A combined analysis of the mineralogy and chemistry of the separated size fractions allows the recognition of petrographic provinces. The patterns of sediment dispersal are discussed. The coarsest components of the Barents Sea sediments are of local origin whereas long-distance transport of finer material is taking place.     

Mineral provinces and material provenance of the surficial sediments near the Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea

1 IntroductionThe South China Sea is one of the northwesternPacific marginal basins, which is located atthe junc-tion region among Euro-Asia plate, Pacific plate andIndia plate. Owing to its unique geological charac-teristics, the South China Sea has beco…     

Mineral composition of sedimentary matter in the Caspian Sea

Data on the mineral composition of sedimentary matter and its fluxes in the sediment system of the Caspian Sea are presented. River runoff, aerosols, particulate matter from sediment traps, and the upper layer (0–1 cm) of bottom sediments are considered. The contents of detrital minerals (quartz, albite, and K-feldspar), clay minerals (illite, chlorite, and kaolinite), and carbonates (calcite, Mg-calcite, dolomite, aragonite, and rhodochrosite) are determined. Gypsum was found in bottom sediments but is absent in the other object of the sediment system.     

Ostracod-Based Paleoreconstructions on the Northern Caspian Sea Shelf during the Holocene

Here we present the results of lithological and microfossil (Ostracoda and Foraminifera) analyses and reconstruct the transgressive–regressive changes on the Northern Caspian Sea shelf during the Holocene. Modern and Novocaspian faunas consist of abundant Ostracoda (Cyprideis torosa) and Foraminifera (Ammonia beccarii), which are characteristic of dynamic shallow water conditions. Novocaspian sediments in core profiles GS 194-08-01 and GS 194-08-14 obtained at water depths of 7.5 and 10.3 m, respectively, were deposited in shallower and fresher water environments compared to modern ones. We distinguished Mangyshlak, Novocaspian, and modern sediments in the studied cores from the Northern Caspian shelf. The age of the boundary between Mangyshlak and Novocaspian sediments in the study area correspond to approximately 10550 years BP.     

Hydrocarbons in the Surface Layer of Bottom Sediments in the Northwestern Caspian Sea

The paper presents research results on the concentrations and compositions of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface layer of bottom sediments in the Northwestern Caspian Sea (2014) and compares them to data for sediments of the Middle and Southern Caspian (2012–2013). The seepage of hydrocarbons out of the sediment mass, resulting in abnormally high concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons per dry weight (up to 468 μg/g), as well as within the C_org composition (up to 35.2%), is considered the main source of hydrocarbons in sediments in the surveyed area of the Northern Caspian. This is also confirmed by the absence of any correlation between the hydrocarbon and C_org distributions, as well as by the transformed oil composition of high-molecular alkanes. The distribution of markers within polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons points to a mixed genesis—petrogenic and pyrogenic—with prevalence of the latter. Unlike the shallow-water northern part of the Caspian Sea, the content and composition of hydrocarbons in deep-seated sediments are affected by facial conditions of sedimentation and by matter exchange at the water–bottom interface. Therefore, despite high C_org concentrations (up to 9.9%), sediments in deep-water depressions are characterized by a quite low concentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons (52 μg/g on average; 0.2% of C_org) with prevailing natural allochthonous alkanes.     

Clay-mineral and grain-size distributions in surface sediments of the White Sea (Arctic Ocean): indicators of sediment sources and transport processes

In this study, the grain-size and clay-mineral compositions of 73 surface sediment samples collected in a variety of environmental settings in the White Sea are presented to characterize recent sedimentation processes, reconstruct transport pathways, and identify potential source areas of the terrigenous components. Areas >100 m deep are invariably characterized by silty clay, whereas areas <100 m deep exhibit more heterogeneous grain-size compositions plausibly explained by coastal erosion and (re-)distribution mechanisms, particularly tidal currents. The dominance of sand in the estuarine areas of the Onega and Dvina rivers as well as toward the Gorlo Strait connecting the White Sea with the Barents Sea is attributed to increased current speeds. Illite and smectite are the dominant clay minerals in recent sediments of the southwestern and eastern White Sea sectors, respectively. Their distribution patterns largely depend on the geology of the source areas, and mirror surface circulation patterns, especially in Dvina Bay. Smectite is a key clay mineral in White Sea surface sediments, as it reveals the dominating influence of the Northern Dvina’s runoff on sedimentation and water circulation throughout the basin. In comparison to other Eurasian shelf seas, the White Sea is characterized by a greater diversity of clay-mineral assemblages, which range from illite- to smectite-dominated sectors containing variable amounts of chlorite and kaolinite.     

SOURCES OF INNER-SHELF SEDIMENT IN THE NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE CONTROLLING FACTORS

The sediments on the inner shelf of the northern South China Sea, mainly composed of terrigenous fragments, are continually transported herein by streams and floods. The coastal and strait-bottom erosion by waves and currents also contribute to the sedimentation. Under the dynamic conditions of the sea, the terrigenous sediments are differentiated with the coarse debris deposited mainly within the 20 m isobath off Guangdong, Guangxi and the Hainan Island. Organisms thrive in some areas, forming coral-reef platforms, foraminifera sand and shell sand. Chemically-formed clay minerals and various authigenic ones are developed in gulf and outlet areas. The modern sediments, thin in depth, are attributed to the short period of ingression of the sea, and their distribution is controlled by a variety of factors with the sea-level changes dominating.     

北冰洋西部沉积物有机碳、氮同位素特征及其环境指示意义

通过对楚科奇海及邻近的北冰洋深水区表层沉积物中有机碳同位素含量(δ13C)、氮同位素含量(δ15N)及生物成因SiO₂(BSiO₂)含量分析,结果表明海源和陆源有机质的分布受海区环流结构和营养盐结构所制约.楚科奇海中西部和楚科奇海台受太平洋富营养盐海水的影响,海洋生产力高,沉积物中海源有机质和BSiO₂含量高;靠阿拉斯加一侧海域海水的营养盐含量和生产力都偏低,沉积物中陆源有机质比重增加;在研究区北部和东北部的楚科奇高地和加拿大海盆,冰封时间较长,营养盐供应少,海洋生产力低,但来自马更些河和阿拉斯加北部的陆源有机质增多,沉积物中BSiO₂含量小于5%,海源有机质百分含量小于40%.由于亚北极太平洋水通过楚科奇海向北冰洋海盆输送,研究区营养盐池表现为开放系统,营养盐的利用率与它的供应成反比,与海洋生产力成反比.     

Clay minerals as an indicator of the accumulation of the Upper Quaternary deposits in the St. Anna Trough (Kara Sea)

This paper is devoted to the 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. The 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, the amounts of kaolinite and chlorite generally decrease, while those of illite and smectite, on the contrary, increase. A joint analysis of the distributions of clay and heavy minerals over the section allowed us to refine the position of the sources for the terrigenous matter and their temporal variability. It is shown the changes in the sources of supply were directly related to the climate changes that occurred when passing from the glacial to marine sedimentation environments.     

南黄海表层沉积物碳酸盐及Ca、Sr、Ba分布特征

依据表层沉积物碳酸盐及元素Ca、Sr、Ba特征,探讨了南黄海表层沉积物的来源及其动力成因。现代黄河物质及老黄河三角洲物质以高钙、高碳酸盐和高Ca/Sr比值为特征;海区东北部物质以低钙、低碳酸盐、低Ca/Sr与Sr/Ba比值为特征,长江物质以碳酸盐及CaO含量、Ca/Sr与Sr/Ba比值中等为特征。表层沉积物碳酸盐、CaO含量及Ca/Sr、Sr/Ba比值的分布对不同特征沉积物的搬运和沉积具有很好的指示意义,南黄海北部Sr/Ba低值带沿NE－SW向延伸大体反映了黄海暖流的入侵路线。     

澳大利亚波拿巴盆地北部中新统硅质碎屑与碳酸盐混合沉积特征及控制因素

波拿巴盆地油气资源十分丰富.新生界千余米的浅海碳酸盐岩背景下,中新统底部发育一套12～52 m硅质碎屑与碳酸盐混合沉积,其中硅质碎屑作为潜在的良好储集体,尚未引起足够重视.综合运用录井、测井及三维地震等资料,认为盆地北部研究区内该套混合沉积是由陆棚浅海台地生物滩、坝碳酸盐和三角洲平原和前缘硅质碎屑混合而成,以相在空间上...     

Caspian Sea Level Fluctuations in the Neopleistocene (Was There an Atelian Regression?)

The article deals with deposits exposed in sections along the rivers of the Caspian lowland and on the eastern slope of the Ergenei. The conclusion is made about the lagoonal origin of chocolate clays lying on high-capacity subaerial and alluvial–deltaic deposits. The impact of the Caspian Sea level rise on coastal processes is examined. Taking into account the regularities in the behavior of the coastal zone during sea level rise, subaerial deposits with such thickness in the outcrops could not have been preserved during the early Khvalynian transgression from –100 m. Another curve of Caspian Sea level fluctuations is proposed, where there is no deep Atelian regression between the Khazarian and Khvalynian transgressions. It is concluded that the Khazarian transgression was one of the largest in the history of the Caspian Sea. Its level was slightly less than that of the Khvalynian transgression. The rise of the level of the latter began not from –100 m, but from about 5–15 m; i.e., this transgression was in fact an oscillation of the Caspian Sea against its gradual regression after the Khazarian transgression. Sea level oscillations contributed to the formation of lagoonal-transgressive terraces, in which chocolate clays accumulated.