Porosity, Eh and interstitital nitrogen compounds profiles are given for four locations in the eastern Skagerrak. Sediments down to 30 cm depth, i.e. postindustrial in age, were analysed. The results together with a detailed age determination (21'Pb) suggest a high degree of both lateral and vertical variability as a result of local bottom topography and currents as well as event-controlled sedimentation processes.