SURFACE SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION IN THE FRAM STRAIT

The present day, interglacial, surface sediment distribution in the Fr am Strait is mainly controlled by two factors: biological productivity , which is closely related to sea ice conditions and surface water oce anography, and near-bottom transport processes. The effect of near-bot tom transport is reflected in the pattern of sediment grain sizes and in the distribution of terrestrial organic matter, as indicated by hig h C/N-ratios and light deltaC-13(org)-values. The distribution of orga nic carbon, biogenic opal and the kaolinite/illite ratio in the Fram S trait surface sediments depends on biological productivity in the surf ace waters and shows a strong relationship to sea ice coverage. Carbon ate contents decrease northward, reflecting the decreasing influence o f Atlantic waters to the north. This characterization of the present d ay setting in the Fram Strait can be helpful in identifying and interp reting older interglacial sediments. The close relationship of organic carbon and biogenic opal contents and of the kaolinite/illite ratio t o sea ice coverage indicates that these parameters might be useful for reconstructing paleo-ice extents.