Isotopic Composition of Nd, Pb, and Sr in Modern Bottom Sediments of the Barents Sea

Abstract

The isotopic characteristics (εNd, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) of the modern bottom sediments sampled in the Barents Sea during the 67th voyage of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh are considered. It is shown that the major contribution to the formation of the sediments in the central Barents Sea is made by rocks of the North European continental margin, which are found in the zone of influence of the North Cape Current. The values of εNd, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr are lower in the bottom sediments of this part of the sea than the corresponding characteristics of sedimentary material incorporated into ices and carried by the Transpolar Drift Stream. This allows one to conclude that such material has not contributed much to the sedimentation in the Barents Sea.