Abstract: This paper comprehensively collected the Arctic seas sediment data by domestic and international sources, selected and integrated 4245 stations of surface sediment grain size data in the Arctic seas by using strict quality control criteria, and used the grain size component grid superposition method to map the distribution of sediment types in the Arctic seas area. The distribution characteristics of surface sediments types and the main controlling factors were studied and discussed. The results showed that: (1) The types of sediments in the Arctic seas were very abundant, especially the gravel-bearing sediments were widely distributed on the continental shelf. (2) The gravel-bearing sediments were mainly included slightly gravelly mud, slightly gravelly muddy sand, slightly gravelly sand, gravelly mud and gravelly muddy sand, the gravel-free sediments mainly included silty sand, muddy sand, sandy silt, sandy mud and mud. (3) The distribution of sediment types in the Arctic sea was mainly controlled by river input, coastal erosion, sea ice and icebergs transport and ocean currents, river input and coastal erosion provided the main terrestrial sediment sources. (4) Sea ice and icebergs were particularly important for the transport of coarse-grained detrital sediments, and ocean currents controlled the transport path of sediments and sea ice, which can transported sediments over long distances to deep-water areas such as the central Arctic Ocean and the Greenland Sea.

Key words: multi-source data, grain size, sediment, distribution and characteristics, Arctic seas