Ranald W. Boyd

B. Sc. Honours Thesis

Possible Source Areas of Kaolinite and Montmorillonite in Baffin Bay, N.W.T.

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Analysis of the clay fraction (<20) of surface marine and submarine sediments taken from Baffin Bay were done to determine areal distribution and source areas of illite, chlorite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite. Previous work on bottom sediments, has been mainly restricted to the sand/silt range.

Preparation of the samples followed standard analytical techniques. Acid and heat treatments were used on selected samples to qualify the identification of kaolinite and chlorite.

Distribution of clay minerals in Baffin Bay was found to be fairly uniform. Sources of illite and chlorite are Precambrian rock on Baffin Island and Greenland. Kaolinite and montmorillonite originate from Cretaceous-Tertiary strata on the continental shelf and exposed onshore. Montmorillonite may be contributed from Paleozoic limestones on Devon and Ellesmere Islands or in the Nares Strait.

Sedimentation processes in Baffin Bay are complex and not fully understood. Ice related transporting agents are dominant on the continental shelf and nearshore areas. Debris flows may be important in transporting material on the continental slope.

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Pages: 47
Supervisor: D. J. W. Piper