A new sediment map for the western side of the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea based on sedimentology, geochemistry and biogeochemistry

This work discusses the sedimentological and biogeochemical features of the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea's surface sediment. A total of 107 samples from the cruise PERTRE2016 were analyzed for sediment grain size, major and trace elements, LOI, and total and organic carbon. The aim was to identify sedimentary facies based on geochemical and biogeochemical features and their spatial distribution. This includes recognizing regional patterns of sediment dispersal, geochemical signals for provenance, and local features. Q-mode factor analysis of grain size, geochemical and biochemical properties of surface and subsurface sediments was used to identify sedimentary facies. The statistical processing of sediment properties made it possible to identify five factors that can be interpreted as distinct sedimentological and biogeochemical facies. The characterization and distribution of these facies enabled a more comprehensive understanding of the current hydrodynamic, sedimentological, geochemical, and biogeochemical processes occurring in the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea, as well as the identification of the primary sediment source areas.