Chemical composition of bottom and interstitial waters from the White Sea, June 1978

The Holocene transgression was accompanied by upward increasing of M, and Cl**- , Na**+ and Mg**2+ concentrations in interstitial waters. Sulfate reduction and nutrient accumulation (up to 20, 3.5, 2 mg/l, and 30 µg/l of N-NH4**+, P, Si, and N-NO2, respectively) were observed at the Solovetskie Islands and in the Kandalaksha Bay. Good correlation of all major ions excluding Alk with Cl**- was noted, which represents effect of the first (sedimentogenic) factor.

The biogenic factor and the factor of vertical variability of N-NH4**+, Alk, and SO4**2- were also notable. It is supposed that increase in MgCl2 relative concentration in Holocene interstitial waters was caused by development of a cryogenic process and by jet-wise gravitational sinking of frozen-out brines.