东海沉积物中铁(Ⅲ)氧化物还原活性的动力学表征

运用还原性溶解动力学实验和活性连续体(reactive continuum)模型表征了东海表层和柱状沉积物中铁(Ⅲ)氧化物的还原活性及反应进程中的动力学行为,通过动力学数据拟合得到了活性铁氧化物理论含量m₀、表观速率常数k'和活性非均匀度γ。结果表明,表层沉积物中铁氧化物的m₀在26.14~60.51 μmol/g之间,变化较小;表征高活性铁氧化物还原动力学行为的标准化初始还原速率(J/m₀=k')变化也较小,最大相差仅7.25倍;但不同站位沉积物中铁氧化物活性的非均匀度变化较大,当铁氧化物溶解达到90%时,其速率与初始速率相差2~4个数量级。表层沉积物中铁氧化物的m₀,k'和γ 3个动力学参数之间不存在相关性;柱状沉积物中m₀,k'和γ 3个动力学参数都随深度的增加呈总体减小的趋势,且三者之间存在良好的线性关系,这是沉积物早期成岩作用中铁成岩循环的结果。与传统的化学提取相比,活性连续体模型得到3个动力学参数(m₀,k'和γ)能从多个角度表征铁氧化物还原活性和动力学行为的细微差别。     

东海沉积物中铁(Ⅲ)氧化物还原活性的动力学表征

运用还原性溶解动力学实验和活性连续体(reactive continuum)模型表征了东海表层和柱状沉积物中铁(Ⅲ)氧化物的还原活性及反应进程中的动力学行为,通过动力学数据拟合得到了活性铁氧化物理论含量m₀、表观速率常数k'和活性非均匀度γ。结果表明,表层沉积物中铁氧化物的m₀在26.14~60.51 μmol/g之间,变化较小;表征高活性铁氧化物还原动力学行为的标准化初始还原速率(J/m₀=k')变化也较小,最大相差仅7.25倍;但不同站位沉积物中铁氧化物活性的非均匀度变化较大,当铁氧化物溶解达到90%时,其速率与初始速率相差2~4个数量级。表层沉积物中铁氧化物的m₀,k'和γ 3个动力学参数之间不存在相关性;柱状沉积物中m₀,k'和γ 3个动力学参数都随深度的增加呈总体减小的趋势,且三者之间存在良好的线性关系,这是沉积物早期成岩作用中铁成岩循环的结果。与传统的化学提取相比,活性连续体模型得到3个动力学参数(m₀,k'和γ)能从多个角度表征铁氧化物还原活性和动力学行为的细微差别。     

南黄海沉积物中活性铁氧化物对有机碳的保存作用

土壤和沉积物中活性铁对有机质的吸附对有机质具有长期稳定和保存作用,从而在地质时间尺度上缓冲大气CO₂浓度。本文利用连二亚硫酸钠还原性溶解提取活性铁氧化物（FeR）及与之结合的有机碳（Fe-OC）,定量研究了南黄海沉积物中FeR与OC之间的结合方式以及FeR对OC的保存作用,讨论了深度增加对二者相互作用的影响。结果表明,南黄海沉积物中Fe-OC占沉积物总有机碳的份数（f_Fe-OC）为（13.2±7.47）%,即活性铁对OC的年吸附量为0.72 Mt,占全球边缘海沉积物TOC年埋藏通量的0.44%。Fe-OC的平均OC:Fe为4.50±2.61,表明共沉淀作用对有机质的保存起重要作用,且其比值随海源有机质含量增加而增加。Fe-OC稳定碳同位素（δ13C_Fe-OC）结果表明,FeR优先保存活性有机质,但这种选择性随OC:Fe增大而减弱。随深度增加,f_Fe-OC和δ13C_Fe-OC均未表现出显著变化,这与该海域沉积物中有机质活性较低、铁还原作用较弱有关。     

活性铁对海洋沉积物中有机碳的保存作用

沉积物碳汇是海洋碳汇的重要组成部分,揭示沉积物的储碳机制对研究气候变化与全球碳循环的相互作用具有重要意义。矿物对有机碳的保护作用是有机碳最重要的稳定机制,其中活性铁（FeR）在沉积物有机碳的累积作用中发挥着捕获有机碳并形成“铁锈碳汇”的重要作用。本文系统梳理了近年来关于海洋沉积物中FeR的固碳的研究成果,总结了海洋沉积物中FeR的提取方式、类型、固碳量、固碳机制、结合有机质来源及分子类型,阐述了FeR固碳的重要意义,旨在加深对矿物与有机碳相互作用的理解。海洋沉积物中FeR常通过柠檬酸盐 碳酸氢盐 连二亚硫酸盐(CBD)还原提取,主要以针铁矿、水铁矿及赤铁矿等氧化物形式存在。FeR可以结合沉积物中约80%的有机碳,结合机制包括以配体交换为主的吸附机制和共沉淀/螯合机制。FeR与有机碳的结合机制可依据铁结合有机碳（FeR OC）与FeR的摩尔比值（FeR OC∶FeR）简单判定,当FeR OC∶FeR低于1.00时以吸附方式结合,大于1.00时以共沉淀方式结合,且共沉淀相比吸附机制具有更高的有机碳结合量及稳定性。大部分海洋沉积物中FeR优先与海源类有机质结合,但在氧化还原频繁的河口及三角洲地区倾向与陆源类有机质结合。分子模拟实验、木质素氧化降解及近边X射线吸收精细结构光谱表明FeR与芳香碳及羧基碳等有机质具有更高的亲和性。FeR对有机质的稳定保存及减缓气候变化引起的负反馈具有重要意义,建议未来更多关注沉积物中有机质与铁矿物结合的具体过程及不同沉积环境FeR固碳的差异机制,更加关注不同结合机制的定量化及重要性对比研究。     

不同成因的海洋铁锰氧化物沉积物中稀土元素的地球化学特征

测试了具代表性的成岩型结核和水成型结壳的稀土元素,以研究稀土元素在这两种成因的海洋铁锰氧化物沉积物的特征及其与成因的关系。稀土元素特征表明稀土元素没有参与成岩型结核的成岩作用。即没有加入到1nm水锰矿中去,而是加入到无定形铁的氧化物、氢氧化物中去。同样,稀土元素也没有直接参与水成结壳的水成作用,即没有加入到锰、铁的氧化物、氢氧化物中去,而是与钙、磷相关。推测在很大程度上是先沉淀在钙、磷相中然后才加入到水成结壳中。稀土元素在这两种类型的沉积物的分布与其成因密切相关。     

胶州湾海洋链霉菌的初步鉴定及抑菌活性的研究

对从胶州湾沿海泥样和水样中分离、纯化的297株海洋链霉菌进行了初步的生理生化鉴定,并采用牛津杯法检测了对大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)、绿脓杆菌(Pseudomonas areugi-nosa)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)、八叠球菌(Sarcinasp.)、隐球菌(Crypto-coccal meningitis)、白色念球菌(Candida albicans)、毛霉(Mucor miehei)和链霉菌Tu57(Streptomyces vividochromosenes)8株受试菌的抑制活性。结果表明,约有42.1%的菌株可抑制至少一种受试菌。结合16S rRNA鉴定,提示了部分活性菌株的分类地位,其中M165属于蓝色类群,M245属于白孢类群,M189属于青色类群,M239独立构成一个分支,有可能是新种。结果提示了胶州湾海洋链霉菌在抑菌活性物质研究开发方面的潜力。     

北极海洋沉积物高抗氧化活性菌株的筛选及其多样性分析

利用过氧化氢耐受性实验对北极海洋沉积物中具有高抗氧化活性的菌株进行初筛,通过其对DPPH(1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼)自由基、羟自由基和超氧阴离子清除能力的测定进一步验证其抗氧化能力;并对其进行了分子鉴定与系统发育分析。根据过氧化氢耐受性实验,从145株供测菌株中筛选出25株对过氧化氢具有较强耐受性的抗氧化活性菌株,占总供测菌株的17.2%;其对DPPH自由基、羟自由基和超氧阴离子均具有较强的清除能力,可分别高达84.15%,88.61%和45.77%。基于16SrRNA基因的分子鉴定与系统发育分析表明,筛选出的25株活性菌株多样性较高,分别属于细菌域的5个纲,15个属,20个种;其中以γ-Proteobactria纲的菌株数量最多。北极海域的海洋沉积物中存在着丰富的具抗氧化活性的菌株资源,将为了解极地微生物的抗氧胁迫机制及极地来源的新型生物活性物质的研发打下一定的基础。     

海洋沉积物的污染机理和防治对策——以重金属为例

随着工业领域的高速发展,工业废液频繁排入水体,导致被排入的水体中的重金属含量越来越高.重金属是主要的海洋污染物之一,易被生物体吸收富集,转化为毒性更大的金属有机化合物,再经食物链传递,危害人体健康,而海洋沉积物是进入海水中具有毒性的重金属的主要归宿地.笔者主要讨论了沉积物吸附重金属的沉积物重金属的质量基准和背景值、吸附机理和海域金属污染防治措施等方面的内容,并进行了研究展望.     

海洋沉积物中一株铁还原细菌分离及Fe(Ⅲ)还原性质

以渤海(塘沽海域)沉积物为材料,富集异化铁还原混合菌群。采用三层平板方法,从混合菌群中纯化出一株异化铁还原细菌KB52。通过形态观察和16S r RNA基因序列分析,菌株命名为Klebsiella sp.KB52(Gene Bank号KM233642)。在葡萄糖为电子供体,Fe(OH)_3为电子受体条件下厌氧培养菌株KB52,其细胞生长和Fe(Ⅲ)还原具有明显耦合关系。碳源分别设置为葡萄糖、乳酸钠、丙酮酸钠、乙酸钠、甲酸钠和丙酸钠,在海水培养条件下菌株KB52以丙酮酸钠为碳源时,菌株培养液累积Fe(Ⅱ)浓度最高,为4.41 mmol/L±0.59 mmol/L。菌株KB52在设定NaCl浓度范围内,都能够生长并具有铁还原性质,菌株表现出较强的耐盐性。NaCl质量浓度为4 g/L时,菌株KB52还原Fe(Ⅲ)效率最高,Fe(Ⅱ)达到4.95 mmol/L±0.72 mmol/L。铁还原细菌KB52在淡水和海水条件下能够生长并具有铁还原性质,可用于近海沉积物中微生物介导异化Fe(Ⅲ)还原过程,进一步应用于治理海洋环境污染。     

微波消解仪在海洋沉积物重金属环境有效态及全量分析形态分析中的应用

通过研究微波消解酸量及酸系、消解温度、消解时间、是否赶酸、是否加入 HF 等条件,得出了在加入12.5mL的4 1的NO3 -HCl时,微波消解温度175℃、消解时间20 min的情况下,近海海洋沉积物成份分析标准物质(GBW 07314)样品消解液不经赶酸(或经120℃赶酸后)直接以原子吸收分光光度计测定,其中Cu,Pb,Cd,Cr的溶出值在环境有效态标准范围内;Zn介于环境有效态与全量分析形态标准之间.基于上述条件,再加入2.5mL的HF后样品消解液经赶酸后测定,其中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Cr的溶出值均在全量分析形态标准范围内.     

Forms and functions of inorganic carbon in the Jiaozhou Bay sediments

Inorganic carbon forms and their influencing factors, mutual transformation and contribution to carbon cycling in the Jiaozhou Bay sediments were discussed. The results show that inorganic carbon in sediments could be divided into five forms:NaCl form, NH₃·H₂O form, NaOH form, NH₂OH·HCl form and HCl form. Thereinto, NH₂OH·HCl form and HCl form account for more than 70% of total inorganic carbon. There was close relationship among every form of inorganic carbon and their correlativity was clearly different with different sedimentary environment except the similar strong positive correlation among NH₂OH·HCl form, HCl form and total inorganic carbon in all regions of the Jiaozhou Bay. All forms of inorganic carbon were influenced by organic carbon, pH, Eh, Es, nitrogen and phosphorus in sediments, but their influence had different characteristics in different regions. Every form of inorganic carbon transformed into each other continuously during early diagenesis of sediments and the common phenomenon was that NaCl form, NH₃·H₂O form, NaOH form and NH₂OH·HCl form might transform into steady HCl form. NaCl form, NH₃·H₂O form, NaOH form and NH₂OH·HCl form could participate in carbon recycle and they are potential carbon source; HCl form may be buried for a long time in sediments, and it may be one of the final resting places of atmospheric CO₂. Inorganic carbon which entered into sediments was about 4.98×10¹⁰ g in the Jiaozhou Bay every year, in which about 1.47×10¹⁰ g of inorganic carbon might be buried for a long time and about 3.51×10¹⁰ g of inorganic carbon might return into seawater and take part in carbon recycling.     

胶州湾沉积物中有机质的来源与组成及其对百年尺度环境变化的指示

The Jiaozhou Bay is characterized by heavy eutrophication that is associated with intensive anthropogenic activities. Four core sediments from the Jiaozhou Bay are analyzed using bulk technologies, including sedimentary total organic carbon(TOC), total nitrogen(TN), the stable carbon(δ~(13)C) and nitrogen(δ~(15) N) isotopic composition to obtain the comprehensive understanding of the source and composition of sedimentary organic matter and further shed light on the environmental changes of the Jiaozhou Bay on a centennial time scale.Results suggest that the TOC and TN concentrations increase in the upper core, having indicated a probable eutrophication process since the 1920 s in the inner bay and the 2000 s in the bay mouth. The TOC and TN concentrations outside the bay have also changed since 1916 owing to the variation of terrigenous input.Considering TOC/TN ratio, δ~(13) C and δ~(15) N, it can be concluded there is a mixture of terrigenous and marine organic matter sources in the study area. A simple two end-member(terrigenous and marine) mixing model usingδ~(13) C indicats that 45%–79% of TOC in the Jiaozhou Bay is from the marine source. The environmental changes of the Jiaozhou Bay are recorded by geochemical proxies, which are influenced by the intensive anthropogenic activities(e.g., extensive use of fertilizers, and discharge of sewage) and climate changes(e.g., rainfall).     

Distribution characteristics of heavy metals in surface sediments and core sediments of the Shenzhen Bay in Guangdong Province, China

The concentration of zinc, chromium, cadmium, nickel, lead and copper was measured on both surface sediments and core sediments in the Shenzhen Bay. The average contents of all metals have exceeded the background values in the coastal zone of Guangdong Province. Cadmium is a heavy pollution matter which indicates a strong pollution level according to the ecological risk coefficient method. The ecological risk index of the whole area is 299 which belongs to middle and strong level. The area with strong pollution level is the near shore area closing to the inside of Shenzhen Bay, Shakou area is in the middle level while the weak pollution level occurs in Shenzhenhe Estuary according to ecological risk index. The four sediment cores can be divided into two parts based on lead-210 dating, sediments size analysis and economic development period in surrounding areas since 1950 with strong human intervention. The sediment size, deposition rate and human activities have positive relationship with the contents of heavy metals which directly impact the pollution level of heavy metals in sediments in Shenzhen Bay.     

深圳湾海域表层和柱样沉积物中的重金属分布特征

分析深圳湾表层沉积物中锌、铬、镉、镍、铅、铜等6种重金属元素的含量发现它们的浓度均值已全部超过广东省海岸带沉积物背景值。根据潜在生态危害法,在6种重金属中镉造成的污染最严重,从潜在的生态危害指数评价看镉的含量已达到很高的污染水平。从面状分布看,重金属污染危害指数值在深圳河口区最低,在蛇口段居中等水平,在深圳湾内侧的近岸水域最大。柱样沉积物的浓度变化以1950年为界划分为两部分:1950年以来的现代沉积物中有较强的人类活动干扰痕迹,表现为重金属元素的浓度增长幅度大,且浓度很高,其均值全部大于广东省海岸带的背景值;1950年以前的近代沉积物中有稍弱的人类活动干扰痕迹。研究认为沉积物粒度特征、沉积速率、人类活动与重金属在沉积物中的浓度高低有直接相关关系,并直接影响到重金属在沉积物中的污染水平。     

Seasonal and spatial variation in abundance and egg production of Paracalanus parvus (Copepoda: Calanoida) in/out Jiaozhou Bay, China

The spatial distribution of stage-specific abundance and reproduction of the copepod Paracalanus parvus were studied from October 2005 to September 2006 in the Jiaozhou Bay. This copepod occurred continuously in this bay throughout the year. The species reached the lowest abundance in April and peaked in June. From October to December, distribution center mainly occurred in offshore water and at the mouth of the bay. In winter, early copepodites and adults gradually decreased and till February, most of the population was only comprised of CIV–CV stages. Overwintering copepodites matured in March and males tended to mature before female. From May to September, each stage occurred in the population and gradually reached high abundance. Temperature and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentration in the three stations can't clearly explain the seasonal variation in stage-specific abundance, so we surmised the important effect of the Yellow Sea. Egg production rate (EPR) reached its lowest in winter and peaked in June at 60.8 eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹ in nearshore water. In the warming period, EPR in nearshore water was statistically higher and EPR > 10 eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹ lasted longer than that in offshore water, showing the importance of nearshore water for recruitment of P. parvus. Our study showed that EPR was positively related to temperature and total chlorophyll a in offshore water and mouth of the bay. In nearshore water, the relationships between EPR and temperature and Chl-a in three size fractions were not the same as those in offshore water, suggesting complicated ecosystem in such a eutrophic area in warming period.     

胶州湾铅-210比活度的分布模式及百年尺度的沉积速率

2006年6月在胶州湾采集柱状岩心并对岩心沉积物中铅-210比活度进行测试分析,结果表明,铅-210沿岩心的垂向分布具有两段、三段模式和异常的多段、倒置模式等。基于铅-210的CIC(constant initial concentration)计年模式和铯-137时标,并且结合历史海底地形对比,计算出近百年来胶州湾海域的现代沉积速率为1.49~24.96 mm/a,沉积通量为0.17~2.62 g/(cm2.a)。除沧口水道末端个别区域外,胶州湾多数区域(包含水道)的沉积速率较低,量级为100mm/a,湾内水道主要呈现出微淤甚至侵蚀,表明近百年来胶州湾沉积环境相对稳定,在可作为航道资源的湾内水道并未出现显著淤积。     

分离自中国胶州湾的褐色马格里夫藻(Margalefidinium fulvescens)的形态学和系统进化特征

The dinoflagellate genus Margalefidinium has been split from Cochlodinium as a new genus recently and Margalefidinium fulvescens is one of the five Margalefidinium species. Margalefidinium fulvescens is toxic and has been reported from the coastal waters of USA, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan and Spain. Here we provide the morphological and phylogenetic characterization for an isolate of it from the Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China. Our results showed that the vegetative cells were subspherical to ellipsoidal, 34–60 μm in length, and 19–41 μm in width. Both single cell forms and colonies in chains of 2, 4, or 8 cells were observed in cultures, but chain forms with 2 or 4 cells were observed more often in the field samples. The cingulum was rather deep, encircling the cell approximately twice, but the sulcus was rather narrow, surrounding the cell about one turn. The nucleus was spherical and located at the central epicone. The chloroplasts were granular, brownish, and scattered peripherally. An orange pigmented body also appeared in the epicone. The apical groove appeared vase-like as previously described. Under epi-fluorescence microscopy, a pumpkin-like structure was clearly observed, in which cells were embedded. Cells were observed to exit from the structure, which led us to a hypothesis that the structure may provide cells a shelter to avoid predation or to respond to other stresses. The phylogenetic analyses based on partial LSU rDNA sequences indicated that M. fulvescens from the Jiaozhou Bay was grouped with M. fulvescens populations from other origins and closely related to the clade of M. polykrikoides.Our morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses together confirmed the presence of M. fulvescens in China and our monitoring has also observed the species dominant in the dinoflagellate community of the Jiaozhou Bay in the early autumn of 2015, which alerted us to continually monitor this bloom-forming species in the region.     

长江河口及邻近海域表层沉积物中铁溶解和磷释放活性的动力学表征

运用溶解动力学实验及活性连续体模型表征了长江河口至东海邻近海域表层沉积物中铁(Fe)和磷(P)的活性。通过动力学数据拟合得到了活性组分的理论含量m₀和表观速率常数k。结果表明,Fe(Ⅱ)普遍存在于表层沉积物中,这应是高活性有机络合态Fe(Ⅲ)絮凝/沉淀到沉积物中后快速还原的结果。沉积物中黏土及总有机碳（TOC）含量对Fe(Ⅱ)的m₀及其k值起重要控制作用。从长江河口至邻近海域沉积物中Fe(Ⅱ)均以FeCO₃形态为主,FeCO₃的溶解及与之相结合磷(主要为交换态P和自生P)的释放导致Fe(Ⅱ)和P具有相似的溶解动力学特征。与吸附于Fe(Ⅱ)矿物相的P相比,与Fe(Ⅱ)矿物相共沉淀的P的m₀较高,但k较低。与TOC含量较低的粗粒沉积物中的Fe(Ⅲ)相比,TOC含量较高的细粒沉积物中Fe(Ⅲ)的m₀值较小,但k值较大。以上特征是Fe不同的氧化还原过程导致的。Fe(Ⅲ)氧化物的含量(m₀)和活性(k)总体上控制着与之相结合P的含量(m₀)及溶解活性(k)。虽然传统活性Fe形态分析未能揭示出长江河口沉积物中活性Fe的富集作用,但溶解动力学表征结果表明,Fe的絮凝/沉淀导致河口沉积物中活性Fe的明显富集,且该过程主要发生在盐度明显增加的低盐度河口区。     

Isotope dilution sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry combined with extraction chromatography for rapid determination of 241Am in marine sediment samples: A case study in Sagami Bay, Japan

²⁴¹Am is a useful tracer for understanding biogeochemical processes in the marine environment. ²⁴¹Am also poses a potential radiation threat to human health due to the continuous increase of its concentration in the global environment. We report a rapid analytical method for determining ²⁴¹Am in marine sediments using isotope dilution sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) combined with a high-efficiency sample introduction system (APEX-Q). A selective CaF₂ co-precipitation procedure followed by TRU extraction chromatography was employed to effectively remove the major sediment matrix and to pre-concentrate ²⁴¹Am. We achieved an extremely low detection limit of 0.32 fg/g or 0.041 mBq/g (for 1 gram sediment), which is better than that of alpha spectrometry, and it allowed the accurate determination of ²⁴¹Am in low-level marine sediment samples. The accuracy and precision of the developed analytical method was evaluated using a laboratory prepared Am isotope standard solution and Ocean Sediment reference material (IAEA-368). The results were satisfactory. For sediment samples, overall chemical recoveries varied from 60–90%. The developed method was applied to the study of ²⁴¹Am depth distribution in Sagami Bay, Japan, where we observed different depth profiles between ²⁴¹Am activity and ^239+240Pu activity.     

Remineralization and accumulation of organic carbon and nitrogen in marine sediments of eutrophic bays: the case of the Bay of Concepcion, Chile

The Bay of Concepcion (36°40′S; 73°02′W) is a semi-enclosed and shallow embayment in which biogeochemical processes are seasonally coupled to coastal upwelling during the austral spring and summer. The nutrient cycle in the bay is complex due to the combined effects of a pronounced O₂ minimum layer and high nutrient concentrations both originating from subsurface equatorial water during coastal upwelling and a rapid rate of sediment nutrient recycling. The sediments are characterized by a high content of organic matter mainly due to the extremely high rates of phytoplankton production and deposition. During the upwelling period, a black flocculent layer frequently covers the sediment–water interface in the inner part of the bay where an extensive mat of Beggiatoa spp. develops. Three approaches are used to analyse the extent to which the benthic system recycles or retains nutrients at two stations, located at the centre (station C, St. C) and mouth (station B, St. B) of the bay for a 1-year period (March 1996–1997): (1) estimation of C and N remineralization rates based on SO₄²⁻ reduction measurements, (2) calculation of C and N turnover rates using a diagenetic model applied to total organic carbon and total nitrogen vertical distributions and, (3) construction of C and N budgets from direct measurements of sedimentation (from a sediment trap) and estimates of the C and N burial rates. Depth-integrated SO₄²⁻ reduction rates varied between 3.4 (winter) and 25.5 (summer) mmol m⁻² d⁻¹. Estimated C and N oxidation rates ranged between 7.9 and 87.8 mol C m⁻² yr⁻¹ and between 0.9 and 6.9 mol N m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. Each approach yielded minor differences in the C and N remineralization rates (and also minor differences between both studied stations), except when the kinetic model was applied to C and N distribution without including the presence of the flocculent layer. The rates of carbon oxidation and sulphate reduction were considerably higher than in other coastal sediments with similar depositional regime. The C and N burial rates were 2.23 and 0.21 (St. C) and 1.30 and 0.09 (St. B) mol m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. The C/N ratio of the buried fraction was ca. 10.6 at St. C and 14.4 at St. B. Because the observed differences in burial rates could not be ascribed to distinctive depositional (both stations have similar sediment accumulation rates) and oceanographic (similar O₂ concentration and hydrography) conditions, differences may be due to in part spatial heterogeneity in the supply of organic matter. The degree of preservation of organic matter as plankton detritus and nitrogen accumulating bacterial biomass associated with Beggiatoa spp. at St. C may also be involved.