Abstract:   The composition, assemblage and distribution characteristics of heavy minerals in 47 surface sediments of the Chukchi Sea and adjacent Arctic Ocean deep water were identified. The sediments were collected during the first and second Chinese national Arctic scientific expedition in 1999 and 2003. The results show that heavy minerals in surface sediments of western Arctic Ocean are mainly composed of epidote, hypersthene and hornblende with low resistance to weathering; ilmenite, garnet,apatite and hematite are characteristic minerals. Mineral assemblages and distribution indicate that material sources and hydrodynamic conditions in the study area are complicated: the content of heavy minerals in south of the Bering Strait is higher, indicating strong hydrodynamic action; in the central Chukchi Sea sediments enriched hypersthene, ilmenite and garnet, there sources may be Chukchi plateau, while in Alaska coastal sediments enriched in epidote and hypersthene may related with Alaska coastal current; clastic mineral deposition rate in northern Chukchi Sea deepwater is low and there are many mineral alteration.

Key words: sediment, heavy minerals, western Arctic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, currents