(Table 2) Chemical composition of suspended material in the Mediterranean Sea

This paper presents results of a microscope study of carbonates, silica and ferruginous particles and a chemical study of total and amorphous SiO2 and of Fe in suspended material from the Mediterranean Sea. CaCO3 concentration increases with depth. Carbonates are represented by biogenic, clastic and chemogenic particles. There are few silica particles in suspended matter; they are represented by biogenic material. SiO2 amorph. concentration is higher in the northern geosynclinal part of the sea. Increased concentrations of particulate iron were found in coastal areas of the sea. The total concentration of suspended matter is lower, the percentage content of Fe is higher. Iron is represented mainly by ore minerals and hydroxides. The former predominate in coastal areas and the latter in the open sea.