Geochemical characteristics and the provenance of sediments in the Bransfield Strait, West Antarctica

The Bransfield sediments can be divided into three distinct compositional groups. Group I sediments have a lower La / Yb and a less prominent negative Eu anomaly than Group II sediments. They are also characterized by negative Ce anomalies. Group I sediments have been derived mainly from the South Shetland Islands, whereas Group II sediments, which are more widespread than Group I sediments in the Bransfield Strait, have been derived mainly from the Antarctic Peninsula. Group III sediments, which are very low in La / Yb with the lowest 87Sr / 86Sr and the highest 143Nd / 144Nd values, have been derived from Deception Island. The composition of the Bransfield sediments is largely controlled by the composition of nearby source rocks; the distribution of sediments is further modified by the current and topography of the basin.