Rl. Stevens et al., TEXTURAL PROVINCES AND TRANSPORT INTERPRETATIONS WITH FINE-GRAINED SEDIMENTS IN THE SKAGERRAK, Journal of sea research, 35(1-3), 1996, pp. 99-110
The particle-size characteristics of 181 bottom samples from the Skage
rrak and northernmost Kattegat have been evaluated with statistical an
d graphical approaches. Regional provinces, defined by trends in distr
ibution parameters, triangle-plot clustering and frequency-curve shape
s, vary in their inferred sedimentation processes. The partitioning of
particle-size distributions is based upon the observed tendency for f
ine silt and clay to have limited sorting due to their deposition from
aggregated suspensions. These partitioned subpopulations further allo
w the consideration of sequential changes in distribution parameters a
long possible transport paths. The methodology for deriving sediment t
ransport paths is reviewed and modified with consideration of fine-gra
ined sedimentation, including the complications induced by aggregation
and the existence of both traction and suspension mechanisms. The par
titioned fine fractions gave the most reliable trends, perhaps because
of the consistency of suspension transport with respect to the large
distances between sites. Fining trends with increased sorting and coar
se skewness are documented toward deeper or more sheltered sites, espe
cially in the Norwegian Trench, The coarse-fraction trends are more va
riable and, like the distribution of the total sample, may be highly v
ulnerable to the conflicting influence of suspension and traction mech
anisms, imperfectly isolated in this fraction. Transport vectors are v
aluable additions to basin modelling, but the assumptions involved in
their interpretation suggest that additional information will normally
be necessary to confidently interpret the details of sediment dynamic
s and transport directions. Because of their interdependency with many
environmental parameters, textural characteristics and sedimentologic
provinces provide a framework for evaluation of both large- and small
-scale processes.