Amino acid biogeochemistry and bacterial contribution to sediment organic matter along the western margin of the Bay of Bengal

Six sediment cores collected from various water depths and sampling locations along the western margin of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) were investigated for the total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA) and d-amino acids (d-AA) to understand their distribution, digenetic alteration and bacterial contribution to organic matter (OM). Irrespective of their location, THAA concentrations and yields generally decreased and mol% glycine increased with increasing water depth indicating that OM was degraded during its transit through the water column. Amino acid based degradation index (DI) indicated that OM of the surface sediments of shallow stations, BOB-1 to BOB-3 was relatively fresher than that of deeper stations, BOB-4, BOB-5 and BOB-6. The concentrations and mol% of the d-AA varied from 0.04 to 0.76 µmol gdw⁻¹ and 0.3 to 8.5 mol%, respectively. Contribution of bacterial peptidoglycan amino acids to THAA (% THAA_pep/THAA) ranged between 4.0% and 55.0%. Both % THAA_pep/THAA and mol% d-AAs were significantly (p<0.01) higher in the surface sediments and decreased with sediment core depth. Based on the d-AA yields, bacterial OM accounted for 1.5–15.6% of TOC, and 3.7–50.0% of TN of the sediments of BOB.     

Spatio-temporal changes in totally and enzymatically hydrolyzable amino acids of superficial sediments from three contrasted areas

Spatio-temporal changes in totally and enzymatically hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA and EHHA) and EHAA/THAA ratios of superficial sediments were assessed during 1997-1999 in three areas (i.e., the Gulf of Lions, the Bay of Biscay, and Central Chile) differing in their primary productivity. In all three areas, and even off Central Chile where a strong El Niño event took place during 1997-1998, spatial changes were always much greater than temporal ones. The factors affecting the spatial distributions of amino acid concentrations differed among areas. In the Gulf of Lions, sediment granulometry was apparently the most important driving force of THAA, EHAA, and EHAA/THAA, and there was no marked difference between stations located on the open slope and those in submarine canyons. Conversely, in the Bay of Biscay, there were clear differences between the stations located off Cap-Breton, on the open slope, and those in the Cap-Ferret canyon; the latter two featuring lower EHAA and THAA but higher EHAA/THAA. This pattern is likely to result from the predominance of different sources of organic matter and especially from the importance of continental inputs to the Cap-Breton canyon. Off Central Chile, amino acid concentrations and ratios were both maximal around 100 m depth, probably reflecting the interaction between the primary productivity gradient and the presence of an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) reducing the degradation of sedimentary organics. When comparing the average values collected in the three areas studied, THAA and EHAA were highest in Central Chile, intermediate in the Bay of Biscay and lowest in the Gulf of Lions. EHAA/THAA ratios were also highest in Central Chile but were lowest in the Bay of Biscay. Differences between the Gulf of Lions and the Bay of Biscay could have been affected by sampling design. In Central Chile, the use of labile organic carbon to total organic carbon (C-LOM/TOC) and EHAA/THAA as indices of organic matter lability led to very similar results. This was not the case in the Bay of Biscay. It is therefore argued that the use of C-LOM/TOC should be restricted to highly productive areas.     

西北太平洋低纬度区域海水中溶解氨基酸的分布及组成研究

本文对2018年秋季西北太平洋低纬度区域上层海洋(5~200 m)中溶解氨基酸(THAA)的分布和组成进行了研究。结果表明,该海域表层海水中THAA的浓度范围为0.40~0.97μmol/L,平均浓度为0.58±0.14μmol/L;5~200m垂直断面上THAA的平均浓度为0.59±0.16μmol/L,范围为0.30~1.05μmol/L。调查海域内THAA浓度明显低于中国近海,在5~200m内的垂直分布基本表现出随深度增加而增加的趋势。将表层和垂直水体中的THAA分别与DOC、Chla等环境因子进行相关性分析,结果显示均无显著相关性。西北太平洋低纬度区域海水中的优势氨基酸是天冬氨酸(Asp)、谷氨酸(Glu)、丝氨酸(Ser)、甘氨酸(Gly)、苏氨酸(Thr)和丙氨酸(Ala)。基于氨基酸的碳归一化产率(THAA-C%)、降解因子(DI)值,表明该海域表层海水中的有机质降解程度较高,且随深度的增加而降低。     

Distribution and alteration of amino acids in bulk DOM along a transect from bay to oceanic waters

A systematic survey of the concentrations and composition of total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) in bulk dissolved organic matter (DOM) was conducted at 11 stations along the 137°E transect from bay to oceanic areas in the northwestern Pacific. Concentrations of THAA and their contributions to dissolved organic carbon were high in the bay and coastal areas, declined toward the oceanic area and decreased with depth in the water columns. From the distribution patterns of the relative abundances of amino acids along the transect, individual amino acids were divided into four groups. One group included tyrosine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine and tryptophan, and was considered to represent easily degradable THAA, while glycine and alanine belonged to a more biorefractory group of THAA. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to quantitatively differentiate patterns of amino acid composition. Amino acid groups based on PCA agreed with the groups classified by distribution patterns, indicating that first principal component scores reflected the degree of degradation of THAA in DOM, and were defined as a degradation index (DI). Two amino acids, glycine and alanine, increased in relative abundance with increasing DI, while valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and leucine decreased with decreasing DI. The agreement indicated that the degradation process was the key factor controlling the quantity and quality of THAA in bulk DOM.     

南海北部海水中氨基酸的分布及其对溶解有机物降解行为的指示研究

于2015年6月对南海北部海区5个断面共26个站位海水中溶解态氨基酸（THAA）、溶解有机碳（DOC）和叶绿素a（Chl a）的浓度进行了科学调查。结果表明:夏季南海北部海水中THAA的浓度范围为0.40~1.95 μmol/L,平均值为（0.80±0.40） μmol/L,THAA的水平分布总体上体现出近岸高、远海低的特点,表明陆源输入对南海北部海域表层THAA分布有重要影响。THAA在断面上的垂直分布呈现出由近岸至远岸、由表层至底层逐渐降低的趋势。THAA浓度与两种D型氨基酸（D-谷氨酸:D-Glu和D-丙氨酸:D-Ala）含量之间存在显著负相关性,与天门冬氨酸/β-丙氨酸（Asp/β-Ala）和谷氨酸/γ-氨基丁酸（Glu/γ-Aba）比值之间存在显著正相关性,表明细菌的消耗是影响南海海水中THAA浓度的重要因素。D-Ala作为细菌肽聚糖中相对稳定的氨基酸,根据其占DOC的含量估算南海海水中的细菌源有机碳对DOC的贡献率为（29.32±14.32）%,其水平分布显示出近岸低、远岸高的特点;而其垂直分布则呈现出从表层至底层逐渐增加的趋势。THAA占DOC百分比（THAA-C%）的变化范围为1.02%~5.49%,平均值为（2.97±1.38）%。THAA-C%、活性因子和降解因子的高值均出现在珠江口外围区域。随着海水深度增加3种降解因子的数值均显著降低,这表明底层海水中有机物比表层海水中的有机物降解程度更大。     

珠江口外近海沉积有机质化学及稳定同位素组成的早期成岩改变

理解早期成岩过程中有机质的化学和同位素分馏对于研究海洋和湖泊环境中的生物地球化学过程是很重要的。将珠江口外近海生物成因有机质分为可水解氨基酸、碳水化合物、脂类和酸不溶四个部分,分析了有机质的化学和同位素组成(δ13C,δ15N),借以讨论沉积有机质在埋藏的早期成岩过程中所发生的化学和同位素改变,结果表明,从浮游生物→悬浮颗粒物→表层沉积物→沉积柱内部,易降解组分可水解氨基酸、碳水化合物、脂类占样品总有机碳的份额依次降低。沉积物及四个有机部分的稳定碳同位素组成在纵向上随深度保持相对恒定,而在不同有机部分之间差异明显。不同类型有机物的分解速率差异在改变有机质化学成分的同时,导致其δ13C发生小幅度负向漂移;细菌有机质的形成和分解对有机质化学成分和同位素组成演化也有重要贡献,并且在一定程度上抵消了上述δ13C的负向漂移,其结果导致沉积有机质的δ13C略低于浮游生物;另一方面,由于异养菌生长过程中的氮同位素分馏系数与可利用氮源的特征和培养基的性质等多种因素有关,导致沉积物的δ15N变化范围增大。在这里δ13C可以可靠地指示该海域沉积有机质的来源,而δ15N变化范围较大且规律不明显,难以用作沉积有机质来源的指示。     

Sediment bioavailable organic matter,deposition rates and mixing intensity in the Setúbal–Lisbon canyon and adjacent slope (Western Iberian Margin)

The role of the Setúbal–Lisbon canyon in accumulation and transport of labile organic matter from the coastal sea and ocean surface water towards the deep sea was assessed by investigating the distribution of organic matter of different quality in sedimentary aggregates and surface sediments of the canyon and adjacent slopes. Total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA) and organic carbon (Corg) were measured from aggregates, and contents of Corg, chlorophyll a (chl a), phaeopigments (phaeo), chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE) from sediments. As indices of organic matter (OM) quality THAA:Corg, degradation index (DI), chl a:phaeo, chl a:Corg and C:N ratio were determined. Sediment profiles of chl a and the isotope 210 of lead (²¹⁰Pb) were used as tracers in a transport model to estimate deposition rates and background levels of the tracers, and sediment mixing rates (Db). Whereas bulk Corg contents of canyon and slope sediments were practically similar at all depths, higher contents of THAA, chl a and CPE, as well as higher THAA:Corg, DI and chl a:Corg, in aggregates and sediments from the upper reaches of the canyon indicate that labile organic matter accumulates in the upper canyon. This is confirmed by higher chl a and ²¹⁰Pb deposition and Db calculated from the model. Hence, the Setúbal–Lisbon canyon, specially the upper region, acts as a natural trap of organic matter that is transported to the region via lateral transport and vertical settling from primary productivity. Organic matter might be further transported in downward canyon direction via rebound processes. The chl a and ²¹⁰Pb profiles reveal active sediment mixing by physical processes and/or animal reworking.     

Organic geochemistry of sediments from the continental margin off southern New England,U.S.A. — part I. Amino acids,carbohydrates and lignin

Total organic carbon (TOC), lignin, amino acids, sugars and amino sugars were measured in recent sediments from the continental margin off southern New England. The various organic carbon fractions decreased in concentration with increasing distance from shore. The fraction of the TOC that was accounted for by these major components also decreased with increasing distance from shore. The concentration of lignin indicated that only about 3–5% of the organic carbon in the nearshore sediment was of terrestrial origin. The various fractions were highly correlated, which was consistent with a simple linear mixing model of shelf organic matter with material from the slope and rise and indicated a significant transport of sediment from the continental shelf to the continental slope and rise.     

Particulate amino acids in Wadden Sea waters — seasonal and tidal variations

Particulate amino acids (THAA) were measured in the East Frisian Wadden Sea at monthly intervals from February to December 1995. Each time two tidal cycles were sampled at hourly intervals. THAA made up between 3 and 50% (mean 15±7%) of the particulate organic carbon and between 9.3 and 104% (mean 49±20%) of the total nitrogen pools. Seasonal variations of THAA followed the development of phytoplankton in the water column while tidal variability was controlled largely by physical forcing such as tidal current velocities and wave action. The overall molar composition of the THAA pool appears to be dominated by a detrital signal originating from erosion of surface sediments.     

Radiocarbon and stable carbon isotope compositions of organic compound classes in sediments from the NE Pacific and Southern Oceans

Radiocarbon (Δ¹⁴C) abundance and stable carbon isotope (δ¹³C) compositions were measured for total lipid, total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA), total carbohydrates (TCHO), and acid-insoluble organic fractions separated from phytoplankton, zooplankton, and sediment cores collected from two abyssal sites, one in the northeast (NE) Pacific Ocean and one in the Southern Ocean. These results are compared with those obtained for a separate core from the NE Pacific and reported by Wang et al. [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 62 (1998) 1365.]. An uncharacterized acid-insoluble fraction dominated (43–57%) the sediment TOC pool at both sites. Sediment collected from the NE Pacific exhibited higher TOC, TN. and higher Δ¹⁴C values and contained both labile (THAA and TCHO) and refractory (lipid and acid-insoluble) fractions. In contrast, sediment from the Southern Ocean had much lower TOC and Δ¹⁴C values, which indicated that organic matter was extremely refractory. Sedimentation rates calculated from ¹⁴C ages of TOC for both sites indicate that the differences in the organic composition and Δ¹⁴C signatures of organic matter in the sediments likely resulted from the differences in production and deposition of organic matter to the sediment, and the diagenetic stages of sedimentary organic matter in the two oceans.Unlike Δ¹⁴C, stable carbon isotopic (δ¹³C) compositions of TOC in the sediments of the two oceans had similar values, which reflect not only the organic matter input from marine-derived sources but also the nature of degraded, predominately uncharacterized organic fraction in these sediments. The differences in δ¹³C values among the compound classes in sediments at both sites can be attributed to the carbon isotopic signatures in original sources during photosynthesis and associated environmental factors. Preferential degradation of organic matter and heterotrophic effects may also play important roles for the observed δ¹³C variations and these effects need to be further investigated.     

Amino acid composition of sediments from a deltaic environment

Nineteen amino acids in sediments from the Ebro Delta (Spain) have been determined by HPLC. According to quantitative and qualitative data it is suggested that the distributions reflect organic autochthonous contributions and are constrained by environmental conditions of deposition.In the more reducing areas (8.7–11.6 mg total amino acids/g of dry sediment) hydroxyproline, threonine, glycine and glutamic acid are the major amino acids, while in the off-shore stations (1.0–2.7 mg total amino acids/g of dry sediment) ornithine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine and valine are dominant. In these samples absolute concentrations decrease with water depth.The analysis of two cores has shown that sulfur-containing and neutral branched-chain amino acids are the least resistant to geochemical degradation. Within the basic fraction, which appeared to be the most stable, ornithine is produced geochemically and preferentially in the more oxic sediments.     

秋季南黄海表层海水中溶解氨基酸的分布与组成研究

用高效液相色谱法对2010年9月南黄海33个站位表层海水中总水解氨基酸(THAA)、溶解游离氨基酸(DFAA)、溶解结合氨基酸(DCAA)的分布、组成以及它们与环境因子的相关性进行了研究。结果表明:THAA平均浓度为2.08μmol/L,DFAA平均浓度为0.39μmol/L,DCAA平均浓度为1.69μmol/L。THAA浓度的分布大致呈近岸高、远岸低的特点;DFAA分布的规律性较差,在东部海域(中心约在35°N,123°E)出现高值。相关性分析显示溶解氨基酸与叶绿素a(Chl-a)、溶解无机氮(DIN)、细菌丰度、温度和盐度之间均无显著相关性。THAA中含量较高的个体氨基酸为丝氨酸、甘氨酸、天门冬氨酸、谷氨酸和丙氨酸,总和占70.59%。DFAA、DCAA中的主要成分与THAA基本相同。THAA中个体氨基酸的组成以34°N为界分为南北2个海区呈现明显的区域性特点。     

珠江口及近海表层沉积有机质的特征和来源

测定了珠江口及近海表层沉积物中总有机碳(TOC), 总氮(TN)及稳定碳同位素组成和几类主要有机化合物(水解氨基酸THAA、糖类TCHO、脂类lipid、酸不溶有机物AIOC), 并分析了沉积有机质及化合物的特征和来源。结果表明珠江口表层沉积有机质主要为陆源和水生混合来源, 而近海有机质主要为当地水生来源。大量的陆源高等植物(含有较多的木质素、纤维素等)输入珠江口, 使得珠江口个别站位沉积物中糖类物质含量大幅高于近海样品; 而珠江口与近海沉积物中水生来源有机质的含量相当。氨基酸和糖类占TOC的份额在浮游生物和悬浮颗粒物中分别为56%和48%, 在表层沉积物中为19%, 说明珠江口和近海的有机质从水柱到达沉积物-水界面的过程中经历了较充分的降解。珠江口样品中活性组分氨基酸和糖类占TOC的份额低于近海, 可能说明珠江口沉积有机质的降解程度高于近海。     

Geochemistry and organic petrography of Cretaceous sediments of the Calabar Flank,southeastern, Nigeria

Detailed bulk geochemistry and organo-petrography of outcrop Cretaceous sediments (with no significant effects of weathering) from the Calabar Flank, southeast Nigeria were performed to understand the organic carbon source, accumulation and degradation, and paleo-climatic, paleoceanographic and paleoenvironmental conditions in West Africa during Early Cretaceous (Aptian) to Maastrichtian times. This study was based on microscopic, elemental analyses (organic carbon, nitrogen, iron and sulphur), Rock-eval pyrolysis and carbon-isotope analyses. In general, the Calabar Flank shales are characterised by highly variable total organic carbon (TOC) contents, which range between 0.1% in Aptian–Albian Mfamosing Limestone and 9.9% in the Awi Formation sediments. The organic matter (OM) is a mixture of immature to early-mature marine and terrigenous OM of types III and IV. This is indicated by low hydrogen indices (HI value (10–190 mg HC/g TOC), T_max (417–460 °C), vitrinite reflectance %R_o (0.39–0.62 %R_o), low to high C/N ratios (3.4–1158.0) and high amounts of terrigenous macerals (vitrinite + inertinite). Based on carbon isotope, C/N ratios and sulphate reduction index (SRI), OM degradation (up to 70%, SRI > 2.5) is most pronounced for shales deposited in a marine environment. The geochemical and petrographic data indicate that local factors such as low bioproductivity, down slope transport and redeposition of sediments from a fluvial–deltaic basin to nearshore facies, shallower, oxic and mildly oxygen-deficient environments, humid–arid paleogeographic conditions, specifically controlled the amount and quality of the OM during Aptian–Mastrichtian stages where marine sediments have been assumed to be deposited during the global anoxic events. Therefore, the order of the main factors controlling OM content in sediments are: input of terrigenous material transported from the land > low OM productivity by marine photoautotrophs > low preservation.     

Factors governing abundance of hydrolyzable amino acids in the sediments from the N.W. European Continental Margin (47–50°N)

Fifty-six samples representing 6 sediment cores taken along the N.W. European Continental Margin from the shelf, slope and abyssal plain of the Goban Spur and Meriadzek Terrace were quantitatively analysed for total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) and clay minerals. In descending order, the five most abundant amino acids making up more than 70% of the total were: aspartic acid, glycine, serine, alanine and glutamic acid. Clay mineral proportions were typical for the N.E. Atlantic, in order of descending abundance: illite, kaolinite, chlorite, smectite and mixed layers.The Meriadzek Terrace area is characterised by fine grain suspension sedimentation with a low pelagic carbonate input and the lowest content of THAA. In contrast, the Goban Spur transect is characterised by much higher carbonate inputs and more vigorous hydrodynamics as judged from granulometry and the high abundance of minerals of shelf and continental origin and a generally higher THAA content. The pelagic portion of THAA deposited at the sea floor is more readily mineralised during early diagenesis than the more ‘refractory', clay mineral-associated continental portion. Along this margin the average mineralization of THAA down to 25 cm in the sediment is about 54%. There is a significant affinity between chlorites and amino acids which we suggest may involve the formation of ionic bonds between the octahedral layers of the clay and the amino acids.     

Origin and biochemical cycling of particulate nitrogen in the Mandovi estuary

Mandovi estuary is a tropical estuary strongly influenced by the southwest monsoon. In order to understand, sources and fate of particulate organic nitrogen, suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from various locations, was analyzed for particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON), δ¹³C_POC, total hydrolysable amino acid enantiomers (l- and d- amino acids) concentration and composition. δ¹³C_POC values were depleted (−32 to −25‰) during the monsoon and enriched (−29.6 to −21‰) in the pre-monsoon season implying that OM was derived from terrestrial and marine sources during the former and latter season, respectively. The biological indicators such as C/N ratio, d-amino acids, THAA yields and degradation indices (DI) indicate that the particulate organic matter (POM) was relatively more degraded during the monsoon season. Conversely, during the pre-monsoon, the biological indicators indicated the presence of relatively fresh and labile POM derived from autochthonous sources. Amino acids such as alanine, aspartic acid, leucine, serine, arginine, and threonine in monsoon and glutamic acid, glycine, valine, lysine, and isoleucine in pre-monsoon were relatively abundant. Presence of bacterial biomarker, d-amino acids in the SPM of the estuary during both the seasons signifies important contribution of bacteria to the estuarine detrital ON pool. Based on d-amino acid yields, bacterial OM accounted for 16-34% (23.0 ± 6.7%) of POC and 29-75% (47.9 ± 18.7%) of PON in monsoon, and 30-78% (50.0 ± 15%) of POC and 34-79% (51.2 ± 13.3%) of the PON in pre-monsoon in the estuary. Substantial contribution of bacterial-N to PON indicates nitrogen (N) enrichment on terrestrial POM during the monsoon season. Transport of terrestrial POM enriched with bacterial OM to the coastal waters is expected to influence coastal productivity and ecosystem functioning during the monsoon season.     

胶州湾沉积物中氨基酸对有机质降解及细菌源贡献的指示作用解析

基于对胶州湾表层沉积物中总可水解氨基酸（THAA）的含量、组成、构型及分布特征的系统研究,通过氨基酸碳氮归一化产率（THAA-C%,THAA-N%）、降解因子DI、反应活性指数RI以及D型氨基酸占比（D-AA%,摩尔百分比）等指标结合碳氮比（TOC/TN）、碳稳定同位素（δ13C）探析了胶州湾沉积物中有机质的来源与降解状态,利用细菌源有机质及胞外肽酶活性（EEA）探讨了微生物在有机质迁移转化过程中的作用与贡献。结果表明,胶州湾表层沉积物中氨基酸平均含量为（7.60±3.64）μmol/g,在陆源与海源混合影响下,其水平分布呈现湾内高于湾外、湾内东部高于西部的特点,表明湾内东部陆源输入对沉积物THAA具有较高贡献。THAA-C%、THAA-N%、DI、RI以及D-AA%等指示因子均显示胶州湾表层沉积物中有机质的降解程度呈现湾外高于湾内、湾内东部高于西部的变化趋势,有机质来源、微生物活性与上覆水水深共同影响了有机质的降解程度。胶州湾表层沉积物中细菌源有机碳的贡献率为（29.35±18.73）%,其水平分布显示出湾内西部与湾外相近且高于湾内东部的特点。细菌胞外肽酶活性（EEA）平均为（0.81±1.31）nmol/（g·h）（以MCA计）,整体分布趋势与细菌贡献率相反,呈现湾内东部高于湾内西部和湾外的特性。沉积物中有机质的不同海源、陆源占比决定了有机质的可降解性,而有机质的降解程度进一步影响了细菌源有机质的贡献与胞外肽酶活性。     

Fluxes of amino acids and hexosamines to the deep South China Sea

Settling particles collected by sediment traps deployed between 1987 and 1999 in the northern, central and southwestern South China Sea (SCS) were analysed to study seasonal, interannual and spatial variations in the composition and flux of labile particulate matter. Results were combined with remote-sensing and surface-sediment data in order to describe the factors controlling the preservation of organic matter en route from the upper ocean to the seafloor. Organic carbon, amino acid and hexosamine fluxes generally follow the fluxes of total particulate matter, with maxima during the SW and NE monsoon periods. During non-El Niño conditions spectral amino acid distributions show that degradation of organic matter in the water column decreases as the flux rates increase. This is suggested to be the combined result of enhanced primary productivity, greater input of lithogenics serving as ballast to increase settling rates, and sorption of labile components to clay minerals. During El Niño conditions, in contrast, the degree of organic matter degradation is at very high and comparable levels at all trap sites. Flux component seasonality is strongly reduced except for the coastal upwelling areas, particularly off central Vietnam, which show significantly higher fluxes of organic carbon and lithogenic matter as compared to the open SCS. This suggests that the fluxes are affected by lateral advection of reworked organic matter from riverine sources or resuspended sediments from the nearby shelf/slope. Comparison of the measured organic carbon fluxes in 1200 m depth with those accumulating in surface sediments results in a more than 80% loss of organic matter before final burial in the sediments. The degree of organic matter preservation in the surface sediments of the deep SCS is distinctly lower than in other monsoonal oceans. This may be due to varying lithogenic input and almost complete dissolution of protective biogenic mineral matrices at greater water depth.     

Temporal variability of amino acid, hexosamine, and carbohydrate fluxes on the eastern Brazilian continental margin related to discharge of the São Francisco River, Brazil

Settling particles collected at 1550 m water depth off the São Francisco River, Brazil, between January and May 1995 showed peak fluxes of amino acids, hexosamines, and carbohydrates, which formed the onset of a three-week period of high organic matter (OM) flux, coinciding with the high discharge period of the river. Two phases of OM deposition exist: (1) the fluvial input of nutrients triggering a bloom of non biomineralizing plankton, and (2) suspended sediment mainly derived from shelf erosion increasing the fluxes of refractory OM. This indicates the importance of seasonally varying hydrodynamic conditions and nutrient input from the continent for the production and sedimentation of OM to the continental margin of eastern Brazil.     

Characterizing the depositional settings for sedimentary organic matter distributions in the Lower Yangtze River-East China Sea Shelf System

Grain-size distributions, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations, and TOC/TN ratios (C/N) were analysed for surface sediments from the Lower Yangtze River-East China Sea (ECS) shelf system. Hierarchical cluster analysis of grain-size parameters (mode, mean, sorting, skewness and kurtosis) has been employed to characterize grain-size compositions. The results suggest there are five grain-size compositional types (type-I–V) that fingerprint distinct depositional conditions. In areas with high sedimentation rates, hydrological sorting preferentially enriches the fraction coarser than 6.4ø (12 μm) in shallow seafloor sediments (water depth<30 m) by transporting the finer fraction to the deeper seafloor (water depth>30 m), and thus forms grain-size compositional type-I (shallow) and type-II (deep). In the open shelf, where modern sediment supply is very limited, grain-size types-III–V are identified according to different winnowing intensity. Overall TOC contents significantly correlate with mud proportions, suggesting muddy sediments are the primary control on OM accumulation. However, de-association of terrestrial OM from fine sediments in the Estuary and the occurrence of presumably relict OM in the open shelf exert additional controls on OM dispersal and carbon cycling in the ECS. By considering geography, oceanography, sediment source, and the relation between sedimentation conditions and sedimentary OM distributions, we define six depositional settings: the lower river, the estuary, the coast, the offshore upwelling area, the erosional area, and the open shelf. These settings describe the sediment dispersal and associated organic matter cycling in the Lower Yangtze River-ECS shelf system.