The contribution of near-bed currents to modern sedimentation processes inthe deep waters of the Hellenic Arc-Trench system, eastern Mediterranean

The effects of near-bed current activity on modern sedimentation were exami ned in various deepwater environments (> 500 m) of the Hellenic Arc-Trench system. Near-bed currents were able to resuspend essentially flat beds cove red by very fine sediments (>8.5 phi) only when current speeds exceeded 11 cm s(-1) At lower speeds, the initiation of rt suspension of the muddy sedi ments was related to increased hydraulic bed roughness resulting from bioge nic benthic activity. As such, observed near-bed currents make different co ntributions to the regional sedimentation processes, i.e., at levels which are low in the Gulf of Corinth, moderate in the NW Aegean Sea and Zakynthos Channel, and high in the NE Ionian Sea.