Summary
This report presents data on major and trace element abundances in short (<0.5m) sediment cores that were collected from Holocene and glaciomarine sequences at 31 localities in the Mid-Norwegain shelf and Vøringplatået. The primary objectives of this investigation were the characterisation of the sediment types and sea bottom conditions. and the environmental assessment of the seabed. Most of major and trace elements were analysed by ICP-AES except for Hg, Cd,Pb As,Se and Sn, which were measured by atomic absorption. Leco SC analyser was used for the C and S determinations. A reliable estimation of the contaminant levels in the sediments requires control upon the natural background. The geographical changes in elemental abundances are therefore evaluated in context of textural and mineralogical variability. The contents and mineral composition of the clay fraction appear to be the most crucial variables influencing the geographical distribution of trace elements in the investigated area.
