ABSTRACT

Trace element analyses of marine sediments from the Bay of Plenty indicate that submarine geothermal activity does not contribute significantly to the trace element geochemistry of sediments in this locality. The terrigenous sediments are similar in composition to North Island greywackes and are probably derived principally from the erosion of Mesozoic greywackes on the western flanks of the Huiarau Ranges rather than from the Quaternary acid volcanics of the Taupo region. There is no evidence for the diagenetic remobilisation of manganese or other trace elements in the sediments of this locality.