The role of benthic fluxes of dissolved organic carbon in oceanic and sedimentary carbon cycling

Journal Article · Wed Sep 23 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92GL02159· OSTI ID:5147940

Burdige, D J; Homstead, J ^[1]; Alperin, M J; Martens, C S

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1. Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA (United States)

Benthic fluxes (sediment-water exchange) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) represent a poorly quantified component of sedimentary and oceanic carbon cycling. In this paper the authors use pore water DOC data and direct DOC benthic flux measurements to begin to quantitatively examine this problem. These results; suggest that marine sediments represent a significant source of DOC to the oceans, as a lower limit of the globally-integrated benthic DOC flux is comparable in magnitude to riverine inputs of organic carbon to the oceans. Benthic fluxes of DOC also appear to be similar in magnitude to other sedimentary processes such as organic carbon oxidation (remineralization) in surface sediments and organic carbon burial with depth. 31 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 5147940
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 19:18; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CARBON CYCLE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SOLUTES
SURFACE WATERS