Biogeochemical cycling in an organic-rich coastal marine basin. 7. Sulfur mass balance, oxygen uptake and sulfide retention

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(87)90211-0· OSTI ID:7160103

Chanton, J P; Martens, C S

Sulfur and oxygen fluxes were quantified in the seasonally varying anoxic marine sedimentary system of Cape Lookout Bight, N.C., U.S.A. Over the three year study period, 1981-1983, the mean annual sulfate reduction rate was determined to be 18.2 +/- 1.6 moles x m/sup -2/ x y/sup -1/. This value, added to the estimate of the detrital sulfur input of 1.2 +/- 4.4 gave a total sulfur input of 19.4 +/- 4.7 moles x m/sup -1/ x y/sup 2/)/sup 1/. The sulfide flux to the sediment-water interface, measured in anaerobic benthic chambers was 4.6 +/- 0.5 moles x m/sup -2/ x y/sup -1/, and represented 37% of the annual oxygen uptake rate of 25.2 +/- 2.8 moles x m/sup -2/ x y/sup -1/. The sulfide burial rate, determined to be 15.5 +/- 3.1 moles x m/sup -2/ x y/sup -1/, was within 5% of the value predicted by summing the fluxes at the sediment-water interface. The C/S weight ratio of sediment below the depth of diagenetic reaction was determined to be 2.75. The sulfide retention rate in these rapidly accumulating sediments (10 cm/yr) was 77 +/- 19%. Comparison of this result with previous studies shows that rapid sediment accumulation and the lack of bioturbation control this unusually high degree of sulfide retention.

• Research Organization: Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7160103
• Journal Information: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States) Vol. 51:5; ISSN GCACA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DIAGENESIS
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MASS BALANCE
NONMETALS
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NORTH CAROLINA
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REDUCTION
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
USA