Chemistry and Clay Mineralogy of Cores 8, 9, 10, New Harbor, Antarctica

Electrical conductivity and ionic composition of extracted solutions from ice-cemented permafrost from cores 8,9,and 10 show that most of the sediments were deposited in a marine environment and that aggradation of permafrost during exposure of the sediments to subaerial conditions caused ionic concentration. Influx of brines capable of moving in permafrost is also suggested. Regions of low conductivity are interpreted either as freshwater episodes or textural discontinuities. Clay mineralogy can be separated into three major assemblages corresponding to the three major lithological units. The clay minerals show little weathering and complex irregular interstratification of mica-vermiculite-montmorillonite and chlorite