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DISTRIBUTION OF SURFACE SEDIMENTS IN THE SEA AREA SORROUNDING THE  ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND THEIR SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

Wang Chunjuan1,2, Chen Zhihua 1, Li Chunshun1, Du Dewen 1, Yan Shijuan 1, Zhu Zhiwei1   

  1.  
    1The First Institute of Oceanography, SOA’ Qingdao’ 266061;
    2 China University of Geosciences(Beijing), Beijing’ 100083
  • Online:2014-03-30 Published:2014-03-30

Abstract: Based on the investigations and the data processing on the surface sediments in the surrounding sea area of the Antarctic Peninsula, we analyzed grain compositions to study the types and the distributions, to discuss the variety of the deposits. The samples taken from the study area contain gravel, sand, silt and clay. According to bathymetry and morphology, the area is characterized by neritic, hemi-pelagic and pelagic deposits. The glacial-marine sediments can be divided into two types: residual paratill and compound paratill, which are primarily transported by glacier and ice-rafted. Effect of ocean currents on the deposition is more obvious, and the types of the deposits distribute regularly with the terrain variations.

Key words: Antarctic Peninsula, surface sediments, grain size, environmental significations