Abstract
Multidisciplinary studies of the dispersed sedimentary matter (suspended particulate matter) were carried out in the Volga delta during spring flood in two areas of the Astrakhan State Biosphere Reserve (Obzhorovskii and Damchikskii), allowing the authors to reveal some regularities in sedimentation conditions. Considerable differences were found to exist in the supply of sedimentary material into the sea through the branches and arms of the eastern and western parts of the river delta. Typical of the eastern part are appreciably higher concentrations of suspended particulate matter, biogenic components, and phytopigments, as well as greater phytoplankton abundance and biomass, and sedimentary material fluxes. A relationship was found to exist between the concentration of suspended particulate matter and the phytopigments under consideration. In May, almost entire chlorophyll “a” in suspended particulate matter was concentrated in the cells of small diatom algae, where it was distributed in proportion to diatom biomass. Overall, the suspended matter of the delta is mostly represented by mineral detrital particles (quartz and carbonates) with a relatively small share of clay materials against the background of a huge amount of diatom cells and biogenic detritus.
Published Version
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