Abstract
This paper describes an integrated study of the sedimentary environment of Holocene deposits in the Takaoka Plains (Kochi prefecture), southwest Japan. The geological history and geochemistry (total sulfur, total nitrogen and total organic carbon concentration) of Holocene deposits in the Takaoka Plain form the basis of the study. Total sulfur, total nitrogen and total organic carbon relationships in Holocene sediments have been used to characterize depositional environments, namely normal marine, brackish water and freshwater sediments. The weight ratio of organic carbon to pyrite sulfur (C/S ratio) and total sulfur (TS) are useful for evaluating sedimentary environments. To this end, CNS elemental analysis has led to a better understanding of sedimentary environments. The geological processes of Takaoka Plain with respect to sea level change during the Holocene is also presented.
