Interstitial water chemistry in deep-sea sediments from the Japan Sea

Vertical profiles of pH, Eh, and major and minor chemical constituents in interstitial waters have been studied in four piston cores from deep-sea basins of the Japan Sea. Sulfate concentration decreases remarkably with increasing depth in three cores, and hydrogen sulfide is observed in two cores although the overlying bottom water is highly aerated. Three types of interstitial waters are observed in the four cores: (1) alkalinity and manganese concentration increase gradually with increasing depth, and sulfate reduction is not appreciable, (2) alkalinity increases and sulfate concentration decreases remarkably, and hydrogen sulfide is not detected, and (3) alkalinity increases and sulfate concentration decreases remarkably, and hydrogen sulfide is observed. Factors controlling the chemical composition of interstitial waters are discussed.