Grain Size Distribution of the Surface Layer of Bottom Sediments in the Barents Sea

Abstract

The paper presents data from a granulometric analysis based on the results of studying of 44 surface (0–5 cm) sediment samples obtained on cruise 67 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh (2016) from different parts of the Barents Sea. Pebble and gravel material is found in surface sediments as an admixture scattered throughout the sea. Such a chaotic distribution pattern is apparently associated with ice rafting. Coarse material is most common in the Barents Sea off the coast of the Kola Peninsula, Novaya Zemlya, and Svalbard, where it accumulates due to coastal abrasion, glacial exaration and bottom erosion. In addition, the >1 mm fraction is widespread at depths where fine fractions are stirred and washed away. The most common sediments in coastal shallow waters are sands. Sands (0.1–1 mm) are widespread in the southern and southeastern regions of the sea, in the region of the Pechora test area, the Kanin Shoal, the Kola Peninsula shallows; and in the northwest, off the coast of Svalbard. With increasing depth, coarse sediments are replaced by mixed sediments with a low pelite admixture. Fine-grained sediments are prevalent in the central part of the sea. Sediments with a pelitic fraction (<0.01 mm) of more than 50% occupy about 70% of the Barents Sea. They are widespread in deep-sea depressions and troughs, as well as in the numerous fiords of the Northern Island of Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land.