PRINCIPAL 



INVESTIGATOR(S) Lawrence Mayer 



Darling Marine Center 

 University of Maine 

 25 Clark's Cove Road 

 Walpole, ME 04573-9402 



PROJECT TITLE ADSORPTION CONTROL OF ORGANIC CARBON BURIAL 



IN OCEAN MARGIN SEDIMENTS 



AMOUNT OF FUNDING FY 1994: $104 K 



SUMMARY OF GOALS 



1. Interpret the regional (estuary, shelf, slope, rise) patterns of organic matter (labile and 

 refractory) accumulation and burial in sediments in the context of grain size of the sediments. 

 Do initial accumulation and eventual burial in the sediments follow similar grain size 

 relationships, or does initial accumulation from the water column show less grain size correlation 

 than eventual burial? Can grain size be used as an integrating variable for accurate large-scale 

 mapping of organic carbon (OC) burial? Does grain size normalization allow resolution of 

 important organic carbon sinks (e.g., slope off of Hatteras vs. slope to the north?)? These goals 

 can be achieved through two types of study: 



a. Small scale ridge and swale study. Assess the seasonally changing relationship between 

 small-scale spatial heterogeneity of sediments (ridge and swale topography) and organic matter 

 accumulation. This study would be done in conjunction with process-oriented benthic groups 

 (e.g., Aller, Jahnke), who would study the metabolism of the organic matter. I would examine 

 indicators of fresh, labile vs. bulk, refractory organic matter. Collaboration with groups such as 

 the biomarker team (e.g., Eglinton et al.) would be useful. 



b. Map regional grain size relationships of OC burial throughout the estuary-shelf-slope-rise 

 region. This work can be done over many years, because the parameters are long-term 

 integrating ones. As many cores as possible need to be radiometrically dated for sedimentation 

 rate by other persons (e.g., L. Benninger) in the program, or myself, via subcontract. If OC 

 burial is at concentrations similar to the monolayer-equivalent level, such as I have been finding 

 in many shelf-slope regions in my current project, then I will be able to make statements to the 

 effect that long-term organic carbon burial is controlled completely by the rates and distribution 

 patterns of mineral sedimentation. 



2. Terrestrial vs. marine organic matter in estuaries. One of the interesting questions arising 

 from my current study is if terrestrial organic matter is delivered to the oceans at 



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