Chemical composition of Aegean Sea sediments

The partial composition of 241 sediment samples from the Aegean Sea, determined for Ca, Mg, Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Zn, can be largely explained by admixture of terrigenous components of variable composition and biogenic components poor in minor elements. Cr and Pb appear to be enriched owing to the occurrence of mafic rocks and minor Pb mineralisation onshore. Variations in elemental abundances within the Aegean Sea can generally be accounted for by differences in depositional environment, except at Sounion where anomalous concentrations of Pb and Zn are probably associated with onshore mining activity.