Open AccessRecent sedimentary processes in Scoresby Sund, East Greenland
Author(s) -
MARIENFELD PETER
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
boreas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1502-3885
pISSN - 0300-9483
DOI - 10.1111/j.1502-3885.1992.tb00024.x
Subject(s) - fjord , oceanography , geology , sediment , glacier , iceberg , benthic zone , debris , sedimentary rock , open water , sea ice , geomorphology , paleontology
The fjord system of Scoresby Sund on the east coast of Greenland has been the subject of two research cruises by RV Polarstern in 1988 and 1990. Most of the year, the fjord is covered by sea‐ice. Sediment input takes place mostly via drifting icebergs during the short summer period. Depending on the distance to glaciers, surface sediments carry varying proportions of coarse ice‐rafted debris (IRD). The degree of sediment reworking by scouring icebergs is controlled by the depth of the fjord, with the most intense reworking in areas shallower than about 450 m depth. Both IRD contribution and intensity of sediment scouring clearly control the distribution pattern of benthic organisms.