GEOCHEMISTRY OF SEDIMENT FORMING PROCESSES IN THE NORTHWESTERN BLACK SEA SHELF

Abstract

Analysis of geochemistry features of the Holocene bottom sediments in the Northwestern Black Sea are presented. On the basis of the analysis which was fulfilled the dynamic of geochemistry of sediment forming conditions during the Holocene, migration and concentration mechanisms of chemical elements were considered. It was shown that alteration of chemical elements concentration in the Holocene deposits became evident in enrichment of modern bottom sediments in carbonate material, organic matter, strontium, barium and also in depletion in some other elements (in particular – non-ferrous metals). The main reason for such changes is intrusion of the Mediterranean waters into the Black Sea, which caused hydrological and geochemical regime alteration in the basin, and as the result changes in sedimentological process and increase in carbonate material role.