barite decreased rapidly, with a half-life of 0.34 years. During the next 
year, the inventory decreased at a slower rate (half-life of 3.4 years). The 
faster rate probably reflects resuspension and sediment transport of barite- 
rich material residing at the sediment surface. Elevated Ba concentrations in 
postdrilling sediment-trap samples from block 312 indicate that’ such 
resuspension can occur up to at least 25 m above the sea floor. As the 
remaining barite particles are reworked deeper into the sediments by currents 
and bioturbation, removal by sediment transport processes is slower. 
The barite discharged during the exploratory phase of drilling is 
associated with the fine fraction of sediment and widely distributed around 
the bank. We found evidence for Ba transport to Great South Channel, 115 km 
west of the drilling, and to stations 2 and 3, 35 km east of the easternmost 
drilling site. Small increases in Ba concentrations, present in the fine 
fraction of sediment only, were also measured at the heads of both Lydonia and 
Oceanographer Canyons located 8 and 39 km, respectively, seaward of the 
nearest exploratory well. 
