Earth’s Cryosphere, 2019, Vol. XXIII, № 4, p. 37-44

SHELF SEDIMENTS OF THE KARA SEA: COMPOSITIONS AND MICROSTRUCTURE

O.S. Kalashnikova1, A.N. Kurchatova1,2, E.A. Slagoda1,2

1Earth Cryosphere Institute, Tyumen Scientific Centre, SB RAS,
86, Malygina str., Tyumen, 625000, Russia; olga.gasheva.91@mail.ru
2 Tyumen Industrial University, 38, Volodarskogo str., Tyumen, 625000, Russia

The shelf sediments of the Kara Sea sampled along two profiles, northward from the Spindler Cape (Yugor Peninsula) and W–E between Spindler and the Marresale Cape (western Yamal Peninsula) have been investigated by several methods: laser particle-size analysis, powder X-ray diffractometry, and electron microscopy. The bottom sediments belong to the marine, coastal, and continental facies distinguished on the basis of lithology, mineralogy, morphology, and signatures of cryogenic weathering. The signatures of cryogenesis revealed in the sediments are attributed to coast retreat or ice rafting.

Arctic shelf, Kara Sea, bottom sediments, microstructure, cryogenesis

DOI: 10.21782/EC2541-9994-2019-4(37-44)