D. Hebbeln et H. Berner, SURFACE SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION IN THE FRAM STRAIT, Deep-sea research. Part 1. Oceanographic research papers, 40(9), 1993, pp. 1731-1745
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.