Last glacial?Holocene sediment sequences in N. Aegean basins: structure, accumulation rates and clay mineral distribution

Abstract

The vertical distribution patterns of grain-size parameters, carbonate and organic carbon contents, and clay mineral abundances were examined in ten sediment cores from basins of the northern Aegean Sea. Sedimentation rates for Holocene deposition were determined on the basis of 11 14C datings and indirectly from the age of the lower sapropel S1; they were estimated at 14.9, 18.9–21.8 and 34.7 cm 103 year−1 for the North Skyros, Athos, and North Limnos basins respectively. The sedimentation rates decrease gradually towards the southern basins, as a consequence of the greater distance from sediment supply sources. Also, sedimentation rates appear to decrease from the last glacial to Holocene units. The clay minerals illite, smectite, kaolinite and chlorite were identified in the cores. Generally, illite is the predominant mineral, showing a north–south-decreasing trend, followed by smectite; both minerals have a terrigenous origin, and smectite occurrence is higher in basins located near Limnos Island where volcanic formations prevail. Terrigenous illite is abundant in the sapropel S1, exhibiting the highest content of all sedimentological units. High illite content is unusual in eastern Mediterranean sapropels. This pattern is attributed to the proximity of the N. Aegean Sea basins to Balkan and Turkish land sources. In general, sediment mass gravity flow processes coupled with seasonal deposition from nepheloid layers are the predominant sedimentation mechanisms in the N. Aegean basins. The relative sea-level stand, the proximity to terrigenous sources (rivers), the morphology of the N. Aegean basins (small dimensions, isolated, steep slopes), as well as seismic activity and strong bottom currents are probably the major factors controlling sedimentation in the region.