Lack of evidence for enhanced preservation of sedimentary organic matter in the oxygen minimum of the Gulf of California

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0757:LOEFEP>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:6965211

Calvert, S E; Bustin, R M; Pedersen, T F ^[1]

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1. Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada)

A test of the hypothesis that hydrogen-rich organic matter accumulates preferentially in sediments under oxygen minima has been carried out by examining the composition of laminated and homogeneous diatomaceous sediments of the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California. The laminated sediments occur where an intense oxygen minimum intersects the slope around the margins of the basin. Above and below the depth of the oxygen minimum, the sediments are homogenized by a burrowing infauna. The two sediment types have very similar bulk chemical and mineral compositions, and the organic matter is overwhelmingly marine. The total organic carbon contents and Rock-Eval parameters (hydrogen and oxygen indices) of the two sediment types are not significantly different. Whereas a broad organic carbon maximum in the homogeneous sediments is centered at roughly 1,200 m depth on the slope of the basin, this maximum lies deeper than the core of the oxygen minimum. Thus, both the concentration and the nature of the organic matter in the sediments of this highly productive marginal marine basin are not related to the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters.

• OSTI ID: 6965211
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Journal Name: Geology; (United States) Vol. 20:8; ISSN 0091-7613; ISSN GLGYBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
&amp; Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
DEPOSITION
DISSOLVED GASES
FLUIDS
GASES
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MATTER
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC MATTER
PACIFIC OCEAN
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SEAS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTS
SOLUTES
SOURCE ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CHEMISTRY