Evidence of recent geomorphic processes within debris cones, their spatial distribution and diversification on cones surface are interpreted in the context of contemporary slope morphogenesis. The detailed inventory of relief features on debris cones in the SW Spitsbergen revealed their great spatial diversity. It is linked with a dominance of different morphological processes in adjacent areas. Spatial and temporal diversity of process-relief assemblages on cones is strongly related with local factors, like bedrock lithology, slope aspect and inclination, local circulation and climatic conditions. However, the potential role of debris cones and their topographic features as geoindicators archiving information about the environmental impact of global changes, cannot be explicitly estimated. Local constraints obscure the regional expression of any global trends, which could be detected on the basis of process-relief assemblages on debris cones in polar regions.

The specific activity of natural gamma emitters like actinium (228Ac), bismuth (212Bi, 214Bi), lead (212Pb, 214Pb), potassium (40K), radium (224Ra), thallium (208Tl) and artificial radioisotope caesium (137Cs) was measured in 2005 in the surface layer of marine sediments in the northern Svalbard: Wijdefjorden, Woodfjorden, Vestfjorden and Bockfjorden as well as in the freshwater reservoirs in Andre Land. Nonuniform spatial distribution of these radionuclides was found. Sediment sample from Bockfjorden had the highest specific activities of all natural radionuclides. The specific radioactivity of 137Cs was much lower than specific radioactivities of natural radionuclides but there were differences between investigated locations. The distribution of 137Cs is similar to persistent organic pollutants of the lake sediments in the area.