Protoliths of Paleoproterozoic calciphyres from the Irkut block (Sharyzhalgai uplift of the Siberian craton): composition and origin

The paper presents data on high-grade silicate–carbonate rocks (calciphyres) from the Irkut block (Sharyzhalgai uplift, southwestern Siberian craton). Their origin and age were determined from the rock characteristics, U–Pb dating, REE content, and Hf isotope composition of zircon. The calciphyres occur both as independent section fragments and as interbeds within Paleoproterozoic garnet-bearing and high-alumina (cordierite- and sillimanite-bearing) gneisses. They were produced by metamorphism of terrigenous-carbonate sediments. The terrigenous sediments range in maturity from arenites and wackes to argillaceous rocks; this is consistent with the reconstruction of the sedimentary protoliths of paragneisses, which are predominant in the metasedimentary rocks. The petrogeochemical features of the calciphyres, their LREE enrichment relative to “pure” carbonate rocks, and a distinct Eu anomaly were inherited from the terrigenous component of calc-silicate sediments. The Nd model age (2.4–2.7 Ga) of the calciphyres and the value T_Hf(DM-2st) = 2.5–3.0 Ga for zircon from these rocks indicate that carbonate accumulation was accompanied by the supply of terrigenous material, which formed during the erosion of Archean and Paleoproterozoic crust. Zircon from the calciphyres is similar to metamorphic zircon in REE patterns and Th/U ratios. It might have been of detrital origin and then recrystallized during high-temperature metamorphism. Terrigenous-silicate rocks were metamorphosed at ca. 1.87 Ga. This is close to the previous age estimates for the terrigenous rocks metamorphism (1.85–1.86 Ga) and the age of baddeleyite from apocarbonate metasomatic rocks (1.86 Ga).     

New Geochemical Data on the Organic Matter in Rocks of the Lower and Middle Cambrian Kuonamka Complex,the Lena–Amga Interfluve Area,Southeastern Siberian Platform

Saturated hydrocarbon biomarkers were studied in bitumens from organic matter (OM) in the Lower and Middle Cambrian Kuonamka Complex in the Lena–Amga interfluve of East Siberia. Their contents and distribution were analyzed. It was established that OM of siliceous and carbonate rocks from the lower part of the sequence differs from OM of overlying mainly mixed siliceous–carbonate rocks in terms of distribution of alkanes, steranes, tricyclanes, hopanes, and ratios of their homologs. It was concluded that the peculiarities of molecular composition of OM in the rocks are related to the biochemistry of microorganism communities, the remains of which were accumulated in sediments of Cambrian sea. It is possible that the microbiota changed its composition in response to a sharp change of sedimentation settings, which follows from biomarker proxies. It is suggested that sediments in the lower part of the sequence were formed under conditions of H₂S contamination. Catagenesis of OM and contribution of the Lower and Middle Cambrian potentially oil-generating rocks in naphthide generation on the northern slope of the Aldan anteclise are discussed.     

Geochemistry of organic matter of bottom sediments in the rises of the central Arctic Ocean

Based on geomorphological, lithological, and facial characteristics of the East Arctic continental margin, we studied the main factors controlling the Late Cenozoic supply of organic matter (OM) to the bottom sediments of the Central Arctic rises of the Arctic Ocean. Complex analysis of dispersed OM in the samples taken during the expeditions of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” in 2000 and 2005 showed a significant difference between the sediments of the Lomonosov Ridge and Mendeleev Rise. The bottom sediments of the latter are strongly transformed and lack terrigenous components, as evidenced results from the main geochemical characteristics (contents of C_org, C_carb, N_org, bitumens, and humic acids) and the composition and distribution of hydrocarbon molecular markers (alkanes, saturated and aromatic cyclanes). The obtained data evidence that ancient sedimentary rocks containing genetically uniform deeply transformed (up to mesocatagenesis) OM played a significant role in the formation of the Pleistocene–Holocene sediments of the axial part of the Mendeleev Rise.     

Pétrographie des „Permoskyth“ der Jaggl-Plawen-Einheit (Südtirol) und Diskussion der Detritusherkunft mit Hilfe von Kathoden-Lumineszenz-Untersuchungen

The Permo-Scythian deposits E of Lake Reschen (North-Italy) are composed of a sequence of terrestrial sediments in Verrucanofacies and of a series of detrital carbonate and lagoonal-evaporitic rocks (“Wechselschichten”) overlaid by Anisian fossiliferous dolomites. Examinations by cathodo-luminescence give reference to the source area of the detrius and to the diagenesis of the sediments. Further statements can be made by X-ray (triclinity of K-feldspars; inclusions in authigenic minerals) and chemical examinations (composition of dolomites). The detritus of the slightly metamorphic rocks, indicated by the crystallinity of illite, does not originate from the underlying “Plawenkristallin” and from the adjacent “ötztalkristallin”, respectively, but by 70% from a porphyritic source area that is supposed to be located in the region of Lugano.     

Oil source rocks at the mesozoic and cenozoic continental margins: Communication 1. Oil source rocks at continental margins in the Triassic-Jurassic and Neocomian-Aptian

The presence of rocks capable of generating hydrocarbons (HC) in the section of sedimentaryrock basins is an essential criterion for their qualification as structures with oil and gas pools. Although organic matter (OM) is always present as dissemination in genetically different sediments, it is believed that rocks enriched with OM of the sapropel series (2 to 3% C_org) can generate a significant amount of liquid HC. However, rock sequences with the C_org ranging from 3–5 to 15–20% are considered oil source formations. The rock section of large petroliferous basins usually includes one or two source sequences, which generated liquid and gaseous HCs after submergence to high temperature and pressures zones. In the basin confined to the Arctic slope of Alaska, one of the main producers of liquid HC is represented by the Upper Triassic clays and limestones of the Shublik Formation. In the Barents Sea and North Sea basins, such rocks are represented by the Spekk Formation and the Kimmeridge Clay, respectively; in the West Siberian basin, by the Bazhenovo Formation; in the Persian Gulf, by the Fahlian, Sargelu, and Garau formations; in basins of the Caribbean region, by marls and clayey limestones of the La Luna Formation. In perioceanic basins of the South Atlantic, the major source sequences are represented by the Neocomian and Barremian clays and marls. The source rocks are identified as the Lagoa Feia Formation in the Campos and Santos basins. They are cognized as the Black Marlstone or Bukomazi Formation in the Lower Congo, Kwanzaa-Cameroon, and Angola basins.     

可可西里盆地中新统五道梁群湖相碳酸盐岩岩石学特征与沉积环境分析

湖相碳酸盐岩在可可西里盆地的古、新近纪地层中分布广泛,更是中新统五道梁群沉积的主要组成部分。五道梁群湖相碳酸盐岩分为生物粘结灰岩(叠层石)、泥晶灰岩、颗粒灰岩与泥晶白云岩四大类,反映出沉积环境为一个具有浅水—半深水、高盐度、半封闭—封闭特点的综合湖泊系统。     

Evaluation of environmental status and geochemical assessment of sediments,Manasbal Lake,Kashmir, India

The present study was conducted on the Manasbal Lake (34°14′N: 74°40′E) to assess the geochemical characteristics of the lake bottom sediments, its environmental implications and its response in the local catchment area. This study tracks the spatial distribution of grain size, geochemical analysis, C/N ratio, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and organic matter (OM) of the lake bottom sediments. It is observed that the clay fraction (49.79%) is predominant in the lake bottom sediments, followed by silt (35.88%) and sand (14.33%) and its spatial distribution is controlled by water depth. Geochemistry and normalized diagrams for the major oxides and trace elements reveal enrichment of CaO, K₂O, P₂O₅, S, Cl, Ni, Zn and Sr. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) reflects low to moderate weathering intensity and near compositional similarity with the bedrock exposed in the catchment area around the lake. Environmental indices (EF, Igeo) suggest that the sediments are enriched in Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Pb followed by Mn content. Pollution load index (PLI) reveal that all the sampling sites reflect low to moderately polluted category except for few stations that are towards the southern and southeastern side of the lake. OM (16.85%), CaCO₃ (14.04%) and C/N ratio (15.5) of the lake bottom sediments is attributed to high organic activity within the lake, shell fragments, contributions from the lake flora and fauna adhering to the clayey silty sediments. The C/N ratio of 15.5 suggests a mixed source of organic matter both terrestrially and in situ formation within the lake. Sulphur and chlorine are high amongst the trace elements suggesting anthropogenic detritus input into the lake and this is due to the chemical fertilizers from the agricultural runoff and organic load into the lake. Thus, the present study suggests that in order to preserve the pristine lake ecology and the environment; continued monitoring and restoration efforts need to be undertaken.     

The Shah Kuh Formation,a latest Barremian – Early Aptian carbonate platform of Central Iran (Khur area,Yazd Block)

The Shah Kuh Formation of the Khur area (Central Iran) consists of predominantly micritic, thick-bedded shallow-water carbonates, which are rich in orbitolinid foraminifera and rudists. It represents a late(est) Barremian – Early Aptian carbonate platform and overlies Upper Jurassic – Barremian continental and marginal marine sediments (Chah Palang and Noqreh formations); it is overlain by basinal deposits of the Upper Aptian – Upper Albian Bazyab Formation. The lithofacies changes at both, the base and top of the Shah Kuh Formation are gradational, showing that the formation is part of an overall transgressive sedimentary megacycle, and that the formational boundaries are potentially diachronous on larger distances. Analyses of facies and stratal geometries suggest that the Shah Kuh carbonate system started as a narrow, high-energy shelf that developed into a large-scale, flat-topped rudist platform without marginal rim or steep slope. The Shah Kuh Platform is part of a large depositional system of epeiric shallow-water carbonates that characterized large parts of present-day Iran during Late Barremian – Aptian times (“Orbitolina limestones” of NW and Central Iran, the Alborz and the Koppeh Dagh). Their biofacies is very similar to contemporaneous deposits from the western Tethys and eastern Arabia, and they form an important, hitherto poorly known component of the Tethyan warm-water carbonate platform belt.     

Carbon, oxygen, strontium, and sulfur isotopic compositions in late Precambrian rocks of the Patom Complex, central Siberia: Communication 2. Nature of carbonates with ultralow and ultrahigh δ13C values

The Patom Complex is characterized by a unique association of carbonate rocks with ultralow (≤8‰) and ultrahigh (>6‰) δ¹³C values. The thickness, stable isotopic composition along the strike, and lithological and geochemical parameters suggest that these rocks could not form as a result of short-term local events or epigenetic processes. Ultralow δ¹³C values (less than ?8‰) in carbonate rocks of the Zhuya Group, which substantially exceed all the known negative C isotope anomalies in thickness (up to 1000 m) and amplitude (δ¹³C = ?10 ± 2‰), point to sedimentation under conditions of extreme “contamination” of water column by oxidized isotopically light organic (hereafter, light) carbon. The decisive role in this contamination belonged to melting and oxidation of huge volumes of methane hydrates accumulated in sediments during the powerful and prolonged Early Vendian glacial epoch. The accumulation of δ¹³C-depleted carbonates was preceded by the deposition of carbonates with anomalously high δ¹³C values. These carbonates formed at high rates of the burial of organic matter and methane in sediments during periods when the sedimentation basin consumed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and organic carbon was conserved in sediments.     

广西罗城—鹿寨地区石炭系沉积相类型及沉积环境演化

本文据区内6个石炭纪地层剖面的岩性组合,垂向层序及生物组合特征的研究,将沉积相区分为陆源碎屑潮坪沉积、三角洲沉积、浅水开阔台地和极浅水局限台地碳酸盐沉积以及半深水台盆沉积五种类型。研究表明,在石炭纪不同时期的沉积环境具有不同的组合特点。早石炭世沉积类型比较复杂,具有陆源碎屑潮坪-三角洲-开阔台地-台盆环境组合形式;而中晚石炭世则主要为极浅水局限台地环境,总体上表现出向上变浅的环境演化特点。本文指出台地向上变浅的机理是在总体浅进超覆的背景下由碳酸盐沉积物的快速沉积造成的。     

Geology,geochemistry, and source characteristics of Neoproterozoic arc-related clastic metasediments,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The present work concerns two occurrences of Neoproterozoic volcaniclastic metasediments in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt namely Alam occurrence and Atalla occurrence. They are mainly composed of bedded successions of feldspathic and feldspathic-lithic metagreywackes, arkosic metagreywackes, metasiltstones, and subordinate metaconglomerates. The rocks have been subjected mainly to various ductile deformational events (D₁ and D₂) due to NE–SW compression and later deformation (D₃). The D₁ deformation is synchronous with greenschist facies metamorphism (M₁). The Alam metagreywackes show oceanic arc tectonic setting. The greywackes have clasts of quartz, feldspar, and metamorphic amphibole after pyroxene and show variable abundances of Cr, Ni, and V. Their provenance components are mainly of evolved felsic and mafic (bimodal) island arcs. The rocks are suggested to be deposited in a localized “intra-arc basin.” The metagreywackes of Atalla show tectonic setting affinity similar to continental sland arc or active continental margin. Their geochemical characteristics reflect the presence of felsic rocks as the main sources, together with minor inputs of intermediate rocks and reworked mineral grains of quartz and feldspar. They are deposited in a localized “retro-arc basins” of an active continental margin. The whole sequences of both Atalla and Alam sediments have been subjected to deformation and contemporaneous regional metamorphism during arc-arc or arc-continent collision. Newproterozoic clastic metasedimentary rocks in the CED appear to have been deposited in arc-related basins, including interarc or back-arc basins, intra-arc basins, and retro-arc basin of active continental margin.     

羌塘盆地东部中侏罗统陆源碎屑与碳酸盐混合沉积成岩特征

近年来,混合沉积显示的沉积环境和油气地质意义越来越受到学界的重视。羌塘盆地是目前国内油气勘探最重要的战略选区之一,具有良好的油气勘探远景。研究区侏罗系广泛发育陆源碎屑与碳酸盐的混合沉积。综合前人研究成果、区域地质资料和室内样品分析,笔者对研究区广泛分布混合沉积的岩石学特征、沉积环境、成岩作用进行了详细地研究。研究发现:区内中侏罗统混合沉积表现为混积岩、混积层系两种形式;对岩性、层系及组合特征进行观察发现,它们主要形成于滨岸、碳酸盐岩缓坡、潮坪沉积环境,把混合沉积划分为4个三级地层层序,提高了地层划分的精度,建立了研究区中侏罗世雀莫错期、布曲期、夏里期的岩相古地理格局;混积岩中最显著的成岩作用类型有压实-压溶、胶结、破裂和溶蚀作用,其中以破裂作用、溶蚀作用最为发育,有利于形成优质储层,可为沉积储层预测及研究区的石油普查评价提供重要参考。     

Role of tectonic-sedimentary melange and Permian–Triassic cover units,central southern Turkey in Tethyan continental margin evolution

Melanges play a key role in the interpretation of orogenic belts, including those that have experienced deformation and metamorphism during continental collision. This is exemplified by a Palaeozoic tectonic-sedimentary melange (part of the Konya complex) that is exposed beneath a regionally metamorphosed carbonate platform near the city of Konya in central Anatolia. The Konya complex as a whole comprises three units: a dismembered, latest Silurian–Early Carboniferous carbonate platform, a Carboniferous melange made up of sedimentary and igneous blocks in a sedimentary matrix (also known as the Hal?c? Group or S?zma Group), and an overlying Volcanic-sedimentary Unit (earliest Permian?). The Palaeozoic carbonates accumulated on a subsiding carbonate platform that bordered the northern margin of Gondwana, perhaps as an off-margin unit. The matrix of the melange was mainly deposited as turbidites, debris flows and background terrigenous muds. Petrographic evidence shows that the clastic sediments were mostly derived from granitic and psammitic/pelitic metamorphic rocks, typical of upper continental crust. Both extension- and contraction-related origins of the melange can be considered. However, we interpret the melange as a Carboniferous subduction complex that formed along the northern margin of Gondwana, related to partial closure of Palaeotethys. Blocks and slices of Upper Palaeozoic radiolarian chert, basic igneous rocks and shallow-water carbonates were accreted and locally reworked by gravity processes. Large (up to km-sized) blocks and slices of shallow-water limestone were emplaced in response to collision of the Palaeozoic Carbonate Platform with the subduction zone. The overlying Volcanic-sedimentary Unit (earliest Permian?) comprises alkaline lava flows, interbedded with volcaniclastic debris flows and turbidites, volcanogenic shales and tuff. The complex as a whole is overlain by shallow-water, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sediments of mainly Late Permian age that accumulated on a regional-scale shelf adjacent to Gondwana. Successions pass transitionally into Lower Triassic rift-related shallow-water carbonates and terrigenous sandstones in the southwest of the area. In contrast, Triassic sediments in the southeast overlie the melange unconformably and pass upwards from non-marine clastic sediments into shallow-marine calcareous sediments of Mid-Triassic age, marking the base of a regional Mesozoic carbonate platform. During the latest Cretaceous–Early Cenozoic the entire assemblage subducted northwards and underwent high pressure/low temperature metamorphism and polyphase folding as a part of the regional Anatolide unit.     

Subaqueous soils: A pedological approach to the study of shallow-water habitats

Science-based management of shallow-water habitats is limited by information on the spatial distribution of properties of sediments. This limitation in part stems from the lack of an adequate model or system to classify and delineate subaqueous soil types (sediments). Present classification systems are inadequate because the existing paradigm does not actually consider them as “soils” but merely as “sediments”. Field observations suggest that these sediments could be better understood as “soils”, and the present paradigm could be modified to incorporate a new one—a pedological paradigm. We propose the application of a pedological paradigm for subqueous soils of subtidal habitats to develop ecological interpretations of subaqueous soil types and apply an inventory of subaqueous soil resources for management of estuarine shallow-water habitats. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY074 00009     

The origin of oil in the Cretaceous succession from the South Pars Oil Layer of the Persian Gulf

The origin of the oil in Barremian–Hauterivian and Albian age source rock samples from two oil wells (SPO-2 and SPO-3) in the South Pars oil field has been investigated by analyzing the quantity of total organic carbon (TOC) and thermal maturity of organic matter (OM). The source rocks were found in the interval 1,000–1,044 m for the Kazhdumi Formation (Albian) and 1,157–1,230 m for the Gadvan Formation (Barremian–Hauterivian). Elemental analysis was carried out on 36 samples from the source rock candidates (Gadvan and Kazhdumi formations) of the Cretaceous succession of the South Pars Oil Layer (SPOL). This analysis indicated that the OM of the Barremian–Hauterivian and Albian samples in the SPOL was composed of kerogen Types II and II–III, respectively. The average TOC of analyzed samples is less than 1 wt%, suggesting that the Cretaceous source rocks are poor hydrocarbon (HC) producers. Thermal maturity and Ro values revealed that more than 90 % of oil samples are immature. The source of the analyzed samples taken from Gadvan and Kazhdumi formations most likely contained a content high in mixed plant and marine algal OM deposited under oxic to suboxic bottom water conditions. The Pristane/nC₁₇ versus Phytane/nC₁₈ diagram showed Type II–III kerogen of mixture environments for source rock samples from the SPOL. Burial history modeling indicates that at the end of the Cretaceous time, pre-Permian sediments remained immature in the Qatar Arch. Therefore, lateral migration of HC from the nearby Cretaceous source rock kitchens toward the north and south of the Qatar Arch is the most probable origin for the significant oils in the SPOL.     

Kerogen: chemical structure and formation conditions

The available data on the composition of the pyrolysis products of kerogen from the Mesozoic carbonaceous strata of the Russian Plate evidence that changes in the contents of total organic carbon (TOC) lead to a regular change of the mechanisms of organic-matter (OM) conservation in sediments. Each mechanism prevails for particular TOC contents. The initial increase in the TOC content of rocks is accounted for by the fact that the higher is the biologic productivity of the basin, the higher is the portion of nonmineralized organic matter. This is due mainly to the mechanism of selective accumulation of the most stable biochemical components such as algaenan. The appearance of H₂S first in the pore waters of sediment and then in the water column increases the degree of preservation of initial OM at the expense of its sulfurization. This process runs first in the lipid and then in the carbohydrate fractions of initial OM.     

Petrography and geochemistry of intraclastic manganese–carbonates from the ∼2.2 Ga Nsuta deposit of Ghana: Significance for manganese sedimentation in the Palaeoproterozoic of West Africa

Intraclastic Mn carbonate rocks occur in the marginal areas of the manganese–carbonate orebody (manganesestone) of the Palaeoproterozoic Nsuta deposit in the Birimian of Ghana. Macroscopically the intraclastic rocks display graded bedding and are typified by a matrix-supported fabric with subangular to subrounded particles less than a millimetre to ∼1.5 × 0.5 cm. Both clasts and matrix consist mainly of varying proportions of microcrystalline and microconcretionary carbonates, quartz, muscovite and subordinate pyrite. Within individual intraclasts, carbonate minerals (including distinctly zoned microconcretions) are essentially Mg kutnahorite and Mg–Ca rhodochrosite, similar to the carbonate minerals in the manganesestone. Whole rock chemistry of the intraclastic carbonates shows significant variability in the amounts of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O and, to a lesser extent, K₂O. Major element contents of the manganesestone similarly vary widely, except that these have, in particular, comparably higher MnO but less SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ than the intraclastic carbonates and host rock Mn phyllite. Rare earth element (REE) concentrations in the intraclastic carbonates are approximately an order of magnitude higher than in the manganesestone. Whereas both rocks exhibit positive Eu anomalies, only the manganesestone shows a discernibly negative Ce anomaly. Petrographic and geochemical features suggest that the intraclasts are fragments of reworked Mn carbonate sediments derived from intraformational erosion and subsequent (mass flow) deposition as carbonate “turbidite” mud. Processes such as submarine slumping, sliding and other sediment gravity flows may have likely interrupted Mn sedimentation and transported partially consolidated manganiferous sediments down slopes into the early Birimian ocean.     

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes and Formation Conditions of the Upper Famennian Shale-Bearing Rocks in the Pripyat Trough,Southern Belarus

The behavior of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in carbonates during the deposition and diagenesis of sediments in the bioproductive Upper Famennian Pripyat Trough (southern Belarus) is discussed. Limestones and clayey limestones (Corg 0.92 ± 0.11%) are characterized by very low δ13C values (–9.6 ± 0.3‰). Parental sediments of these rocks were deposited in the shallow-water zone during slow downwarping episodes of the seafloor. Lithification of the sediments took place in oxidative conditions of the diagenesis zone. Organic matter was actively oxidized by free oxygen. Carbon dioxide with isotopically light organic carbon formed in this process was used during the crystallization of diagenetic carbonates that are visually indiscernible from the sedimentational variety. Marls, clayey marls, and carbonate-bearing clays (Corg 6.02 ± 0.80%) are characterized by δ13C values as high as –3.5 ± 0.6‰. In combustible shales (Corg >10%), δ13C value is ‒1.2 ± 0.6‰). The clayey rocks mark the episodes of sedimentation in relatively deep-water conditions that appear during the uncompensated sagging of the basin floor. The diagenetic zone with free oxygen was significantly decreased or absent at all. Here, oxygen of marine sulfates was the main or single oxidizer of organic matter (sulfate reduction). The sulfate oxygen is a weaker oxidizing agent than free oxygen. Therefore, much more organic matter was retained and fossilized in clayey rocks than in carbonate rocks. Organic carbon released during the sulfate reduction and mobilized later for the diagenetic carbonate formation was insufficient for the significant decrease of δ13C values relative to the marine carbonate standard. Isotopic composition of carbonate oxygen in the studied rocks is invariable and does not depend on the content of clay and organic matter. In these rocks, δ18O values are at the level (approximately –5‰) shown for the Famennian in the Global Chemostratigraphic Chart. This fact is consistent with the supposition that oxygen isotope composition of atmospheric precipitates, which influenced the rock formation via continental flow, is close to that of sea water in low latitudes where the territory of Belarus was located in the Late Devonian.     

A biogeochemical study of sediments from the eutrophic Lake Lugano and the oligotrophic Lake Brienz,Switzerland

The biomarker composition and stable isotope (C, O) ratio values of organic matter (OM) and carbonate from sediment cores from the oligotrophic Lake Brienz and the eutrophic Lake Lugano (both in Switzerland) are compared, in order to obtain information about OM sources and transformation processes. Eutrophic conditions at Lake Lugano are reflected in elevated total organic carbon (TOC) content and hydrogen index (HI) values, as well as higher lipid concentrations. Parallel down core trends in δ¹³C values of TOC and calcite in the Lake Lugano sediments reflect bioproductivity cycles. Variations in δ¹⁸O values of calcite are consistent with changes in mean summer temperature over the time interval covered by the core. In contrast, such a correlation does not exist for Lake Brienz and there the stable isotope composition of calcite reflects its allochthonous origin. In the sediments of both lakes, fatty acid (FA) distributions and the composition of n-alkanols and n-alkanes indicate highly variable proportions of autochthonous OM sources (algae, zooplankton, bacteria) and OM from land plants. Enhanced in situ microbial synthesis during sediment deposition in Lake Lugano is suggested by the higher TOC-normalised concentrations of branched chain FAs (C₁₅–C₁₇), hopanoic acids and triterpenoid alcohols (i.e. tetrahymanol, diplopterol). Variations in the concentrations of cholesterol are related to contributions from zooplankton and/or green algae, while sitosterol concentrations reflect the input of vascular plants. Periods of increased input of OM from diatoms are evidenced by high 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol (either epibrassicasterol or brassicasterol) and/or highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) alkenes concentrations. High relative concentrations of diplopterol in Lake Lugano sediments are consistent with the predominance of cyanobacteria commonly observed in eutrophic lakes. The presence of archeol and hydroxyarcheol in very low concentrations in the Lugano sediments argues for the activity of methanogens and/or anaerobic methanotrophs.Differences in OM degradation processes are reflected in higher chlorin index values in the Brienz sediments but higher saturated vs. unsaturated n-FAs in the core from Lugano. Higher concentrations of branched chain FAs and 16:1ω7 n-FA, as well as enhanced 18:1ω7/18:1ω9 n-FA, are consistent with enhanced bacterial biomass in the Lugano water column or sediments. The preservation of phytol seems to be enhanced in sediments with a high relative contribution of land plant OM. Major factors affecting OM accumulation in the lakes are differences in OM sources (i.e. terrestrial OM vs. autochthonous production), extent of bacterial activity and most likely oxygen availability in the water column.     

Composition and origin of organic matter in surface sediments of Lake Sarbsko: A highly eutrophic and shallow coastal lake (northern Poland)

We present an organic geochemical study of surface sediments of Lake Sarbsko, a shallow coastal lake on the middle Polish Baltic coast. The aim was to provide evidence concerning the origin of the organic matter (OM) and its compositional diversity in surface deposits of this very productive, highly dynamic water body. The content and composition of the OM in the bottom sediments were investigated at 11 sampling stations throughout the lake basin. OM sources were assigned on the basis of bulk indicators [total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N and extractable OM yield], biomarker composition of extractable OM and compound-specific C isotope signatures. The source characterization of autochthonous compounds was verified via phytoplankton analysis. The distribution of gaseous hydrocarbons in the sediments, as well as temporal changes in lake water pH, the concentration of DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon) and δ¹³C_DIC were used to trace OM decomposition.The sedimentary OM is composed mainly of well preserved phytoplankton compounds and shows minor spatial variability in composition. However, the presence of CH₄ and CO₂ in the bottom deposits provides evidence for microbial degradation of sedimentary OM. The transformation of organic compounds in surface, bottom and pore waters via oxidative processes influences carbonate equilibrium in the lake and seasonally favours precipitation or dissolution of CaCO₃.The data enhance our understanding of the relationships between the composition of sedimentary OM and environmental conditions within coastal ecosystems and shed light on the reliability of OM proxies for environmental reconstruction of coastal lakes.