Sedimentology and geochemistry of mud volcanoes in the Anaximander Mountain Region from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Investigations carried out on surface sediments collected from the Anaximander mud volcanoes in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to determine sedimentary and geochemical properties. The sediment grain size distribution and geochemical contents were determined by grain size analysis, organic carbon, carbonate contents and element analysis. The results of element contents were compared to background levels of Earth's crust. The factors that affect element distribution in sediments were calculated by the nine push core samples taken from the surface of mud volcanoes by the E/V Nautilus. The grain size of the samples varies from sand to sandy silt. Enrichment and Contamination factor analysis showed that these analyses can also be used to evaluate of deep sea environmental and source parameters. It is concluded that the biological and cold seep effects are the main drivers of surface sediment characteristics from the Anaximander mud volcanoes.
Dokuz Eylul University, Institute of Marine Sciences & Technology, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey.
Ezgi
E
Talas
Dokuz Eylul University, Institute of Marine Sciences & Technology, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: muhammet.duman@deu.edu.tr.
Muhammet
M
Duman
Dokuz Eylul University, Institute of Marine Sciences & Technology, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey.
Filiz
F
Küçüksezgin
Center for Ocean Exploration, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, OSEC 103A, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
Michael L
ML
Brennan
Ocean Exploration Trust, PO Box 42, Old Lyme, CT 06371, USA.
Nicole A
NA
Raineault
D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D060086:Hydrothermal Vents; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions
Anaximander mud volcanoes; E/V Nautilus Exploration Program; Eastern Mediterranean; Factor analysis; Geochemistry; Surface sediments