Spatial and temporal Arctic Ocean depositional regimes: a key to the evolution of ice drift and current patterns

Abstract

Sediment physical properties measured in cores from all the major ridges and plateaus in the central Arctic Ocean were studied in order to analyze the spatial and temporal consistency of sediment depositional regimes during the Quaternary. In total, six physiographically distinct areas are outlined. In five of these, cores can be correlated over large distances through characteristic patterns in sediment physical properties. These areas are (1) the southern Mendeleev Ridge, (2) the northern Mendeleev Ridge and Alpha Ridge, (3) the Lomonosov Ridge, (4) the Morris Jesup Rise and (5) the Yermak Plateau. Averaged downhole patterns in magnetic susceptibility, bulk density and lithostratigraphy were compiled to establish a composite stratigraphy for each area. In the sixth physiographic area, the Chukchi Borderland, repeated ice-grounding during recent glacial periods complicates the stratigraphy and prevents the compilation of a composite stratigraphy using the studied material. By utilizing published age models for the studied cores we are able to show that the northern Mendeleev Ridge and Alpha Ridge have the lowest average late Quaternary sedimentation rates, while intermediate sedimentation rates prevail on the southern Mendeleev Ridge and the Morris Jesup Rise. The second highest sedimentation rate is observed on the Lomonosov Ridge, whereas the average sedimentation rate on the Yermak Plateau is more than twice as high. The close correlation of physical properties within each area suggests uniform variations in sediment transport through time, at least throughout the later part of the Quaternary. The unique stratigraphic characteristics within each area is the product of similar past depositional regimes and are key for furthering our understanding of the evolution of ice drift and current patterns in the central Arctic Ocean.