Temporal variability of Pb fluxes and bioturbation in shelf sediments beneath the high primary production area off Concepción, central-southern Chile (36°S)

We estimated monthly fluxes of ²¹⁰Pb in shelf sediments beneath a high productivity area off central-southern Chile (36°S) during 1 year (September 2002-August 2003). Sediment cores were obtained using a multiple corer and were analyzed mainly for ²¹⁰Pb, total pigments, and macrofauna abundance. The ²¹⁰Pb inventories and fluxes were estimated for surface sediments (0-5 cm) and bioturbation coefficients were inferred using chlorophyll-a (reactive) profiles. In general, ²¹⁰Pb content was inversely correlated with phytodetritus fluxes. High photosynthetic pigment contents in surface sediments were consistently associated with lower ²¹⁰Pb contents. Macrofaunal activity responded to oxygen and organic matter supplies at the sediment surface, generally concentrated in the first centimeters, but particularly so during months of high organic matter fluxes and deficient bottom water oxygen conditions. At this study site, several processes involved in the ²¹⁰Pb surface distribution make it difficult to accurately estimate ages at the surface. We postulate that the organic fluxes promote changes in the faunal activity, which, in combination with sediment resuspension and water circulation over the shelf, produce seasonal variations in the ²¹⁰Pb inventories.     

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.     

Exploring the connection between 210Po and organic matter in the northwestern Mediterranean

The disequilibrium between ²¹⁰Po and its grandparent ²¹⁰Pb has been proposed as a tracer of the vertical flux of sinking particulate organic matter in the ocean. The mechanism of association between ²¹⁰Po and organic matter is, however, still unclear. To investigate this association we measured trace metals, minerals, organic carbon, nitrogen, and the natural radioisotopes ²³⁴Th, ²²⁸Th, ²¹⁰Po, and ²¹⁰Pb in sinking particles collected in sediment traps at 200 m in the northwestern Mediterranean. Pigments, fatty acids, and amino acids were used to identify the types and sources of particulate organic matter. Multivariate analyses were used to determine which components of sinking particulate matter are traced by ²¹⁰Po and/or by the ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio. Statistical analysis of the results indicates that the distribution of polonium in sinking marine particles is influenced by fresh phytoplankton-derived, nitrogen-rich organic matter as well as sulfur-containing amino acids. These findings are consistent with previous laboratory observations that the distribution of ²¹⁰Po in biota parallels the distributions of both sulfur and protein, and indicate that these associations persist as material sinks through the water column. While this research generally supports the use of ²¹⁰Po as a specific tracer of the flux of organic matter, the signals traced by ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb and ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U are not as distinct in the field as in laboratory experiments. Further work is needed to determine more precisely what ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb traces in order to increase the correspondence of ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb measurements to biogeochemically important rates and quantities.     

Phosphorus and metals bound to organic matter in coastal sediments - An investigation of complexes of P,Cu, Zn,Fe, Mn,Ni, Co and Ti by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry with sephadex gel chromatography

Phosphorus and metals bound to organic matter were separated from coastal sediments of Harima Sound in Seto Inland Sea, Japan by extraction with NaOH and fractionated by Sephadex G-25 chromatography. Phosphorus and metals were determined in the eluates by a multi-channel, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer. Phosphorus and Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co and Ti bound to organic matter with high molecular weights (OMHMW) (MW ? 5000) were found to be present in the sediments, but no Mo or V were found. The technique provides minimum estimates of the amounts of P and metals bound to organic matter. These organic complexes show surface enrichment in a sediment core (0–20 cm) and their contents decrease with depth. Also, the amounts of eighteen elements, namely: P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Si, Al, Ti, Pb, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Na, K, Ca and Mg, in H₂O, ammonium acetate at pH 7 and 5, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and hydrogen fluoric acid soluble fractions have been determined with a selective chemical leaching technique for the ²¹⁰Pb-dated sediment core sample. Considerable amounts of P (6–19%) and Cu (5–21%) were associated with organic matter, in contrast to other metals such as Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co and Ti which were associated with sulfide and silicate.     

Structure and chemistry of sediments in Belfast Lough,a semi-enclosed marine bay

In a study of the benthic environment of Belfast Lough the structure of the subtidal sediment was examined along with its content of organic matter and selected metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb). A wide range of sediment types occurred within the lough but the mean grain sizes for individual sites lay predominantly within the size classes of fine sand, very fine sand and silt. The content of organic matter and metals in the sediments showed strong positive correlations with each other and with the content of silt/clay. Both organic matter and metals decreased in concentration in a seawards direction. The content of organic matter lay generally within the range of 1–5% which is normally associated with shelf sediments, but constituted up to 12% of the sediment in the docks area. Likewise, metals were usually within the range reported within other nearshore coastal waters of the U.K., but sediments in the docks area and inner lough were enriched with several metals. Cluster analysis identified four major subdivisions in the lough which were distinctly different in their contents of silt/clay, organic matter and metals.     

Scavenging,cycling and removal fluxes of 210Po and 210Pb at the Bermuda time-series study site

Quantifying relative affinities of Po and Pb in different populations of marine particulate matter is of great importance in utilizing ²¹⁰Po as a tracer for carbon cycling. We collected and analyzed water samples for the concentrations of dissolved and total ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb from the upper 600 m of the water column at Bermuda Time-series Study site (September 1999–September 2000) to investigate their seasonality of concentrations and their activity ratio (²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb activity ratio, AR). Sinking particles collected in sediment traps at depths of 500 m, 1500 m, and 3200 m from the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) time-series sediment traps were analyzed over a period of 12 months (May 1999–May 2000). The objective was to compare the deficiencies of ²¹⁰Po with respect to ²¹⁰Pb in the water column to that measured in the sediment traps and to assess the relative affinities of Po and Pb with different particle pools.Inventories of ²¹⁰Po in the upper 500 m water column varied by a factor of 2, indicating seasonal variations of particulate flux dominated the removal of ²¹⁰Po. The ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ARs in the dissolved phase were generally less than the secular equilibrium value (1.0) in the upper 600 m, while were generally greater than 1.0 in the particulate phase, indicating higher removal rates of ²¹⁰Po relative to ²¹⁰Pb by particulate matter. The measured fluxes of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in the 500 m, 1500 m, and 3200 m traps increased with depth, while the ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ARs decreased with depth except from May–August 1999. From the measured fluxes of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb at these three traps and the concentrations of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in the water column, this region appears to be a sink for ²¹⁰Pb which is likely brought-in by lateral advection.     

Spatial and temporal variations of sedimented organic matter in Xiaohai Lagoon, Hainan Island

The characteristics of grain-size,total organic carbon(TOC) and total nitrogen(TN) contents,TOC/TN ratios,stable carbon isotope(δ13C) and 210 Pb dating were measured in six sediment cores from the Xiaohai Lagoon.The results show distinct spatial and temporal variations in sedimentation patterns.The sediments are dominated by clayey silt,sandy silt and by silty sand in the southern,middle lagoon and the northern lagoon,respectively.TOC and TN contents decline from south to north.Sedimentation rates,determined by 210 Pb dating,tend to decrease from south to middle.However,the determination of sedimentation rate in the north is difficult.These spatial variations are related to the variations in sediment sources and hydrodynamic conditions in the Xiaohai Lagoon.The variations of organic matter signatures can be divided into two stages in the cores from the southern and middle lagoon.Before 1988,the organic matter signatures are relatively stable.The contribution of terrestrial organic carbon sources varies between 60% and 85%.After 1988,the organic matter signatures demonstrate significant variations.TOC and TN contents increase rapidly,TOC/TN ratios decrease,δ13C values shift to higher and the contribution of terrestrial organic carbon sources decreases to 40%-50%.The contributions of phytoplankton organic matter have increased in the sediment since 1988.Increasing aquaculture activities have had a significant impact on organic matter signatures since 1988.The sedimentation rates have increased rapidly in the southern and middle lagoon since 1988 due to the anthropogenic activities which include aquaculture,mining and deforestation.These activities have caused eutrophication and increased siltation in the southern and middle lagoon.     

A carbon,nitrogen, and sulfur elemental and isotopic study in dated sediment cores from the Louisiana Shelf

Three sediment cores were collected off the Mississippi River delta on the Louisiana Shelf at sites that are variably influenced by recurring, summer-time water-column hypoxia and fluvial loadings. The cores, with established chronology, were analyzed for their respective carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur elemental and isotopic composition to examine variable organic matter inputs, and to assess the sediment record for possible evidence of hypoxic events. Sediment from site MRJ03-3, which is located close to the Mississippi Canyon and generally not influenced by summer-time hypoxia, is typical of marine sediment in that it contains mostly marine algae and fine-grained material from the erosion of terrestrial C4 plants. Sediment from site MRJ03-2, located closer to the mouth of the Mississippi River and at the periphery of the hypoxic zone (annual recurrence of summer-time hypoxia >50%), is similar in composition to core MRJ03-3, but exhibits more isotopic and elemental variability down-core, suggesting that this site is more directly influenced by river discharge. Site MRJ03-5 is located in an area of recurring hypoxia (annual recurrence >75%), and is isotopically and elementally distinct from the other two cores. The carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of this core prior to 1960 is similar to average particulate organic matter from the lower Mississippi River, and approaches the composition of C3 plants. This site likely receives a greater input of local terrestrial organic matter to the sediment. After 1960 and to the present, a gradual shift to higher values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N and lower C:N ratios suggests that algal input to these shelf sediments increased as a result of increased productivity and hypoxia. The values of C:S and δ³⁴S reflect site-specific processes that may be influenced by the higher likelihood of recurring seasonal hypoxia. In particular, the temporal variations in the C:S and δ³⁴S down-core are likely caused by changes in the rate of sulfate reduction, and hence the degree of hypoxia in the overlying water column. Based principally on the down-core C:N and C:S ratios and δ¹³C and δ³⁴S profiles, sites MRJ03-3 and MRJ03-2 generally reflect more marine organic matter inputs, while site MRJ03-5 appears to be more influenced by terrestrial deposition.     

Natural abundances of 15N as a source indicator for near-shore marine sedimentary and dissolved nitrogen

Because organic matter originating in the euphotic zone of the ocean may have a distinctive nitrogen isotope composition (¹⁵N/¹⁴N), as compared to organic matter originating in terrestrial soils, it may be used to evaluate the relative nitrogen contribution to marine and estuarine sediment. The nitrogen isotope ratios of 42 sediment samples of total nitrogen and 38 dissolved pore-water ammonium samples from Santa Barbara Basin sediment cores were measured. The range of δ¹⁵N values for total nitrogen was $\text{+2.89 – +9.4‰}$ with a mean of $\text{+6.8‰}$ and for pore water ammonium, $\text{+8.2 – +12.4‰}$ with a mean of 10.2‰.The results suggest that the dissolved ammonium in the pore water is produced from bacterial degradation of marine organic matter. The range of δ¹⁵N values for total nitrogen in the sediment is interpreted as resulting from an admixture of nitrogen derived from marine ($\text{+10‰}$) and terrestrial (+2‰ marines. The marine component of this mixture, composed principally of calcium carbonate with smaller amounts of opal and organic matter, contains ～ 1.0% nitrogen. The terrestrial component, which comprises over 80% of the sediment, contains ～ 0.1% organically bound nitrogen and accounts for > 25% of the total nitrogen in Santa Barbara Basin sediment.     

Distribution and sources of organic matter in surficial sediments on the shelf and slope off Tokachi, western North Pacific, inferred from C and N stable isotopes and C / N ratios

Organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) contents and corresponding isotope ratios were determined in surficial sediment (0–3 cm) at 94 stations ranging from 21 to 1995 m water depth off Tokachi, Hokkaido, Japan, to elucidate the distribution and source of sedimentary organic matter. Suspended particulate organic matter (POM) in the seawater and suspended POM and sediment in the Tokachi River were also examined. δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and C / N ratios of the samples in the Tokachi River suggest that the spring snowmelt is an important process for the transport of terrestrial organic matter to the coastal waters. δ¹³C values of suspended POM in the surface seawater were higher in May and November than in August, while δ¹⁵N values of the POM were higher in May and August than in November. These changes are attributed to seasonal changes in phytoplankton growth rate and nitrate availability. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in the sediments off Tokachi were lowest near the Tokachi River mouth, and increased offshore to constant values that persisted from 134 to 1995 m water depth. The spatial variation in C / N ratios in the sediment mirrored those of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N. Comparison of δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and C / N ratios in the sediments off Tokachi with those in the Tokachi River and seawater indicates that about half of the organic matter in the sediment was of terrestrial origin near the Tokachi River mouth, and the sedimentary organic matter from 134 to 1995 m water depth was of marine origin. The organic C content in the sediment was high near the Tokachi River mouth, and also around 1000 m water depth. The C content was significantly correlated with silt plus clay content, with different regression lines for those stations shallower and deeper than 134 m, owing to several stations of higher C content with the elevated C / N ratio on the inner shelf. These results suggest that transport and deposition of organic-rich fine sediment particles by hydrodynamic processes were major factors controlling C content off Tokachi. In addition, the supply of a fraction of terrestrial organic matter with high C / N probably also affected C content on the inner shelf.     

Sources and timing of trace metal contamination to sediments in remote sealochs,N.W. Scotland

Sediment cores from a transect of sealochs, Etive, Sunart, Nevis, Duich, Broom and Torridon in N.W. Scotland were analysed for the trace metals lead, copper, and zinc. In addition, sediment cores from the Clyde Sea Basin (Loch Fyne, the Gareloch, Clyde dumpsite) and from the Irish and Celtic Seas were analysed as possible source areas for contaminated particles. The sediment cores were dated using excess ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs, and Al normalisation was used to correct for sediment compositional effects. All cores showed increased concentrations of all trace metals (and M/Al) towards the surface, with a maximum of 280–500% above background being observed in Loch Etive. Only cores from Duich and Torridon (Zn/Al and Pb/Al) and Etive (Zn/Al) did not continue to show an increase in trace metals to the uppermost samples. The burden of atmospherically derived trace metals accumulated over the past 100 years was compared with similar published burdens from a series of freshwater lochs adjacent to the sealochs. Plots of excess ²¹⁰Pb (used to correct for sediment focusing) against atmospherically derived Pb showed a series of linear relationships of systematically decreasing gradient towards the north-west, away from potential urban sources of lead. It was calculated that 49% (15–77%) of the Pb but only 3% (1–4%) of the Zn and 2% (0–3%) of the Cu reached the sealochs from atmospheric sources. The remaining trace metals deposited in the sealochs came from marine particles. Using trace metal ratios as an indicator of pollutant provenance, it was shown that the trace metals came predominantly from the Irish Sea. There was no evidence of trace metals derived from the Firth of Clyde basin. It was concluded that trace metal contamination from the Clyde and the surrounding industrialised urban area was mainly deposited in the estuary and the Clyde Sea basin with its adjoining sealochs, such as the Gareloch and Loch Fyne.     

Organic carbon accumulation and sulfate reduction rates in slope and basin sediments of the Ulleung Basin,East/Japan Sea

This study investigated the organic carbon accumulation rates (OCARs) and sulfate reduction rates (SRRs) in slope and basin sediments of the Ulleung Basin, East/Japan Sea. These sediments have high organic contents at depths greater than 2,000 m; this is rare for deep-sea sediments, except for those of the Black Sea and Chilean upwelling regions. The mean organic carbon to total nitrogen molar ratio was estimated to be 6.98 in the Ulleung Basin sediments, indicating that the organic matter is predominantly of marine origin. Strong organic carbon enrichment in the Ulleung Basin appears to result from high export production, and low dilution by inputs of terrestrial materials and calcium carbonate. Apparent sedimentation rates, calculated primarily from excess ²¹⁰Pb distribution below the zone of sediment mixing, varied from 0.033 to 0.116 cm year⁻¹, agreeing well with previous results for the basin. OCARs fluctuated strongly in the range of 2.06–12.5 g C m⁻² year⁻¹, these rates being four times higher at the slope sites than at the basin sites. Within the top 15 cm of the sediment, the integrated SRRs ranged from 0.72 to 1.89 mmol m⁻² day⁻¹, with rates approximately twice as high in the slope areas as in the basin areas. SRR values were consistently higher in areas of high sedimentation and of high organic carbon accumulation, correlating well with apparent sedimentation rates and OCARs. The sulfate reduction rates recorded in the basin and slope sediments of the Ulleung Basin are higher than those reported for other parts of the world, with the exception of the Peruvian and Chilean upwelling regions. This is consistent with the high organic carbon contents of surface sediments of the Ulleung Basin, suggesting enhanced organic matter fluxes.     

Depositional conditions and organic matter distribution in the Bornholm Basin,Baltic Sea

Information on grain-size distribution and total organic carbon (TOC) content of surface sediment and cores from the Bornholm Basin, together with dating of cores using the ²¹⁰Pb method and shallow seismic chirp profiling, has been analysed to elucidate long-term accumulation patterns. The presence of non-depositional areas with lag sediments and low TOC content below the wave base indicates that inflows of dense bottom water originating in the North Sea and associated near-bottom currents have strong influence on the depositional patterns of bulk sediment and organic matter in this deep basin. The general fining in mean grain size towards the northeast corresponds to the direction of inflow currents and prevailing winds. Recent and previously found ²¹⁰Pb-based mean accumulation rates vary greatly within the basin, between 129 and 1,144 g m⁻² year⁻¹. The accumulation rate may vary by a factor of three even between stations located only 3–4 km apart. Rates recorded close to a seismic profile are consistent with the variation in Holocene sediment thickness. This variation reflects a depositional system controlled by near-bottom inflow currents, consisting of a large-scale channel and a wedge-formed sediment package. The spatial variation in TOC content depends partly on water depth, presumably due to generally poorer degradation in the deepest part of the basin because of less frequent oxygen supply by inflow water. Moreover, there is a tendency of higher TOC contents in the southern part of the basin, which may be due to the input of sediments originating from the Oder River. Compared to values for the central, deep Baltic Sea, TOC contents show lower values of 4–6% and insignificant temporal variations. This may be due to the Bornholm Basin being located much closer to the source of the more oxic inflow water, resulting in more favourable degradation conditions.     

Decadal-scale sediment dynamics and environmental change in the Albemarle Estuarine System, North Carolina

During the summer of 2001, several short cores (<50 cm) were collected in the Albemarle Estuarine System (AES). Down-core measurements for radiochemical tracers (²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs) and organic matter signatures (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, C:N ratio, and LOI) have been used to elucidate potential temporal changes in fluxes and cycles of organic matter in the AES. Pb-210 geochronology indicates temporal and spatial variations in sediment deposition rates (0.08–0.57 cm y⁻¹) with highest rates near the AES western limit relative to the rest of the estuary. Low accumulation rates, deficient excess ²¹⁰Pb inventories, and near linear ¹³⁷Cs profiles throughout the AES suggest that sediments are resuspended by wind-generated waves and currents and flushed from the system by river discharge and wind-tides, probably to Pamlico Sound to the south. Sediments in the AES are accumulating at rates less than the current rate of relative sea-level rise for this region except in protected portions of the estuary. Thus sediment accumulation in the AES is controlled in the short term by storm wave-base and in the long term by the creation of accommodation space by basin subsidence and sea-level rise. The geochemical and sedimentological data characterize the evolution of the Albemarle Sound and associated tributaries over the past 200–300 years. The majority of cores collected throughout the system show a significant decrease in ¹³C and increase in ¹⁵N isotopic signatures up-core. Thus, the estuarine system of eastern North Carolina has changed from a marine-influenced, high brackish environment to the modern-day system, which is a highly variable, terrestrially influenced, low brackish environment.     

Degradation rates of organic matter in the sediment of Mikawa Bay

Sedimentary core samples were collected from Mikawa Bay and analyzed for organic C, N and P, carbohydrate and protein including amino acids. Sedimentation rates for each of the core samples were found to lie in the range of 0.21–0.24 g cm^–2yr^–1 by the²¹⁰Pb method. Degradation rate constants of organic C, N and P, carbohydrate and protein including amino acids had ranges of 3.8–5.5, 4.7–5.9, 6.3–7.4, 5.7–6.8 and 3.9–6.8×10^–2yr^–1, respectively. The rate of degradation of organic matter in the sediment was also calculated and is discussed in relation to the flux of particulate organic matter to the surface of the sediment.     

Accumulation of sediments,trace metals (Pb,Cu) and total hydrocarbons in Narragansett Bay,Rhode Island

The accumulation of sediments, trace metals and hydrocarbons has been estimated from the analysis of the sediment from six coring sites in Narragansett Bay. Radionuclides (²³⁴Th_xs, ²¹⁰Pb_xs, ^239,240Pu) with known input functions and trace metals (Cu, Pb) were used. We estimate that 6·9 × 10⁴ tons of sediments, 51–90 tons of Pb, 72–100 tons of Cu and 400–1000 tons of total hydrocarbons accumulate annually under present conditions in the bay. This represents 64–117% (Pb), 89–123% (Cu) and 23–58% (hydrocarbons), respectively, of present day inputs to the bay. Furthermore, close to 100% of the particle-reactive radionuclides ²¹⁰Pb and ^239,240Pu accumulate in the bay. Present day inputs to the bay were calculated independently as 77–80 tons Pb and 81 tons of Cu. Sewage effluents were the dominant source of Cu, whereas atmospheric deposition and urban runoff were most important for Pb. Dredging activities by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1946 and 1971 removed more sediments from the bay than would have accumulated during the same time in the undredged areas of the bay. Copper smelting and coal mining on the shores of the upper bay during 1866–1880 left an imprint in the sediments which is still evident. Model derived accumulation rates of Pb, Cu and coal during that time were 3–4 times present-day inputs.     

Impact of trace metals on denitrification in estuarine sediments of the Douro River estuary,Portugal

Denitrification influences the nitrogen budget in estuaries by removing fixed nitrogen from the inorganic pool; rates are dependent on both geological and geographic conditions as well as increasing anthropogenic impacts. In this study the effects of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), on the denitrification pathway were evaluated in subtidal and intertidal sediments of the Douro River estuary. Dinitrogen, N₂O and NO₂⁻ production rates were measured in triplicate slurries of field samples under different treatments of metal concentrations. Results demonstrated that similar metal amendments led to different site responses for denitrification, suggesting that variations in sediment properties (metal concentrations, grain size, organic matter content, etc.) and/or differences in denitrifying community tolerance modulate the level of metal toxicity. Denitrifying communities in subtidal muddy sediments were not affected by increasing concentrations of metals. In contrast, intertidal sandy sites revealed high sensitivity to almost all trace metals tested; almost complete inhibition by Cr (95%) and Cu (85%) was observed for 98 and 79 μg per gram of wet sediment respectively, and by Zn (92%) at the highest concentration added (490 μg per gram of wet sediment). Moreover, the addition of trace metals stimulated N₂O and NO₂⁻ accumulation in intertidal sandy (Zn, Cu, Cr and Cd) and muddy sediments (Cu and Zn), demonstrating a pronounced inhibitory effect on specific steps within the denitrification enzymatic system. In summary, the results obtained suggest that, according to the type of estuarine sediment, trace metals cannot only reduce total N removal from an estuary via denitrification but also can enhance the release of N₂O, a powerful greenhouse gas.     

Impact of dynamic feedbacks between sedimentation,sea-level rise,and biomass production on near-surface marsh stratigraphy and carbon accumulation

Salt marshes accrete both organic and inorganic sediments. Here we present analytical and numerical models of salt marsh sedimentation that, in addition to capturing inorganic processes, explicitly account for above- and belowground organic processes including root growth and decay of organic carbon. The analytical model is used to examine the bias introduced by organic processes into proxy records of sedimentation, namely ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb. We find that accretion rates estimated using ²¹⁰Pb will be less than accretion rates estimated using the ¹³⁷Cs peak in steadily accreting marshes if (1) carbon decay is significant and (2) data for ²¹⁰Pb extend below the ¹³⁷Cs peak. The numerical model expands upon the analytical model by including belowground processes such as compaction and root growth, and by explicitly tracking the evolution of aboveground biomass and its effect on sedimentation rates. Using the numerical model we explore how marsh stratigraphy responds to sediment supply and the rate of sea-level rise. It is calibrated and tested using an extensive data set of both marsh stratigraphy and measurements of vegetation dynamics in a Spartina alterniflora marsh in South Carolina, USA. We find that carbon accumulation in marshes is nonlinearly related to both the supply of inorganic sediment and the rate of sea-level rise; carbon accumulation increases with sea-level rise until sea-level rise reaches a critical rate that drowns the marsh vegetation and halts carbon accumulation. The model predicts that changes in carbon storage resulting from changing sediment supply or sea-level rise are strongly dependent on the background sediment supply: if inorganic sediment supply is reduced in an already sediment poor marsh the storage of organic carbon will increase to a far greater extent than in a sediment-rich marsh, provided that the rate of sea-level rise does not exceed a threshold. These results imply that altering sediment supply to estuaries (e.g., by damming upstream rivers or altering littoral sediment transport) could lead to significant changes in the carbon budgets of coastal salt marshes.     

Accumulation rates and sources of sediments and organic carbon on the Palos Verdes shelf based on radioisotopic tracers (137Cs, 239,240Pu, 210Pb, 234Th, 238U and 14C)

We report here bioturbation and sediment accumulation rates determined from replicate sediment cores at four different sampling sites on the Palos Verdes shelf, Southern California, using bomb fallout and natural radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ^239,240Pu, ²¹⁰Pb, ²³⁴Th, and ¹⁴C), along with supporting measurements of organic carbon (OC), porosity and granulometry. Present-day particle reworking, on time scales of several months, is restricted to the upper 3 cm, with rates ranging from 13 to 200 cm²/year, as deduced from ²³⁴Th_xs profiles. There is little evidence that particle reworking reached depths significantly greater than 5 cm. Post-1963 (or post-1971) sediment accumulation rates ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 g/cm²/year (equivalent to 1.1–1.8 cm/year for surficial sediments), as calculated from Pu and Cs isotope profiles, with little change over time or distance from the outfall. Lateral transport of older sediment and multiple sediment sources on the Palos Verdes shelf is suggested from radiocarbon measurements on foraminifera and bulk sedimentary organic matter at two sampling sites, which showed variable, old and refractory sources of OC. Pre-1953 sediments accumulated at rates that were at least 0.4 g/cm²/year (≥0.3 cm/year), based on ²¹⁰Pb_xs dating. Given the abundance of sediment sources to the Palos Verdes shelf, the high sedimentation rates, and shallow particle mixed layers, contaminant-enriched layers should continue to move deeper into the sediments.     

冬季台湾海峡210Po和210Pb的分布特征及颗粒物的输出

~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb are increasingly used to constrain particle dynamics in the open oceans, however they are less used in coastal waters. Here, distributions and partitions of ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb were examined in the Taiwan Strait, as well as their application to quantify particle sinking. Activity concentrations of dissolved ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb(0.6 μm)ranged from 1.21 to 7.63 dpm/(100 L) and from 1.07 to 6.33 dpm/(100 L), respectively. Activity concentrations of particulate ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb varied from 1.96 to 36.74 dpm/(100 L) and from 3.11 to 38.06 dpm/(100 L). Overall,particulate ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb accounted for the majority of the bulk ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb. 210 Po either in dissolved or particulate phases showed similar spatial patterns to 210 Pb, indicating similar mechanisms for controlling the distributions of ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb in the Taiwan Strait. The different fractionation coefficients indicated that particles in the Zhemin Coastal Current(ZCC) inclined to absorb 210 Po prior to 210 Pb while they showed an opposite effect in the Taiwan Warm Current(TWC). Based on the disequilibria between ~(210) Po and ~(210) Pb, the sinking fluxes of total particulate matter(TPM) were estimated to range from –0.22 to 3.84 g/(m2·d), showing an overall comparable spatial distribution to previous reported sediment accumulation rates. However, our sinking fluxes were lower than the sedimentation rates, indicating a sediment resuspension in winter and horizontal transport of particulate matter from the Taiwan Strait to the East China Sea.