Geochemical expressions of anoxic conditions in Nordåsvannet, a land-locked fjord in western Norway

The Nordåsvannet fjord in western Norway is a modern semi-enclosed basin suitable for studying sedimentary cycles as they occur under anoxic bottom conditions. It is characterized by strongly anoxic conditions in the water column and bottom sediments. Diagenetic pyrite formation occurs in the sediments, and syngenetic pyrite is formed in the lower water column. Organic matter burial in the fjord exceeds that of other environments with normal marine or upwelling conditions. This is due to the better preservation of organic matter. Organic matter composition appears to have changed over time with higher fractions of terrigenous organic matter being present in the most recent sediments. This may be a result of increased input of terrigenous organic matter, possibly due to sewage supply to the fjord over the last decades. Organic C and CaCO3 contents of the sediments do not appear to reflect a productivity signal. Calcium carbonate content is influenced by chemogenic calcite formation. Biogenic opal content appears to reflect a productivity signal, but different degrees of dissolution may obscure its clear recognition.