Late Quaternary sedimentation dynamics in the Beenchime‑Salaatinsky Crater, Northern Yakutia


Contact
Lutz.Schirrmeister [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

The Beenchime-Salaatinsky Crater (BSC) is located west of the Olenyok River in Northern Yakutia, ~ 260 km south-west of Tiksi and the Lena Delta. The age and origin (volcanic versus meteoritic) of this crater is poorly understood. The key scientific interest in re-visiting the BSC is the reappraisal of the Quaternary sedimentation dynamics for a better understanding of the sediment history and thickness in the basin. This aides for an assessment, if the site is prospective for a deeper drilling of a Quaternary (or Cenozoic) sediment archive. Soil pits and auger cores from slopes and lowland terrain in the basin were sampled and studied to infer sediment ages and transport dynamics. This also included a thermokarst lake placed in the centre of the basin. Studied properties include grain-size distribution, organic carbon and nitrogen contents (TOC and TN), heavy mineral compositions, δ13C of organic carbon, 14C ages from sediment, δ18O and δD from ground ice and waters, and lake bathymetry from GPR profiling, in addition. We conclude that the crater floor in the BSC is underlain by fluvial/alluvial sediments from the MIS 3 period. Thermokarst lake formation took place during the Holocene Thermal Maximum between 7600 and 6100 cal yr BP. The lake has been shrinking hereafter. Fluvial/alluvial sedimentation along the drainage pattern was active again between 5700 to 1500 cal yr BP, and it was flanked by the accumulation of peaty and organic-rich sediments and the formation of ice-wedge polygons.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
52783
DOI 10.1007/s41063-020-00077-w

Cite as
Schwamborn, G. , Manthey, C. , Diekmann, B. , Raschke, U. , Zhuravlev, A. , Prokopiev, A. V. and Schirrmeister, L. (2020): Late Quaternary sedimentation dynamics in the Beenchime‑Salaatinsky Crater, Northern Yakutia , arctos . doi: 10.1007/s41063-020-00077-w


Download
[thumbnail of Schwamborn_et_al-2020-arktos.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Schwamborn_et_al-2020-arktos.pdf

Download (11MB) | Preview

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Geographical region

Research Platforms
N/A

Campaigns

Arctic Land Expeditions > RU-Land_2016_Lena


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item