Collaborative Research: The Fate of Algal Carbon in Continental Slop Sediments: Multitracer Approach

Levin 9311711该项目旨在确定新沉积的藻类碳在海底的迁移和分解。一种多示踪剂混合物(13C-藻类、粘土、玻璃珠)将散布在北卡罗来纳州两个陆坡地点的海底，这两个地点具有不同的动物密度，以确定动物种群对颗粒混合和有机碳周转的影响。13C将在从几天到一年的时间尺度上通过各种储存库(例如，固相有机碳和无机碳、溶解无机碳、动物组织)进行跟踪。将确定特定藻类生物化学物质降解的表观速率常数。将对由底栖生态系统的藻类碳周转产生的成岩产物进行鉴定，并与自然发生的第234和210Pb剖面有关。将评估沉积物给料器对有机含量、颗粒大小和摄入材料质量的潜在选择性。将研究底栖动物对13C-藻类物质的吸收，以确定不同摄食方式、沉积物中的分布和身体大小的相对重要性。

LEVIN 9311711 This project is aimed at defining the transport and decomposition of newly deposited algal carbon in the seabed. A multi-tracer mixture (13C-Algae, clay, glass beads) will be spread on the seafloor at two North Carolina continental slope sites that are characterized by different infaunal densities to determine the impact of animal populations on particle mixing and organic carbon turnover. The 13C will be followed through various reservoirs (e.g., solid phase organic and inorganic carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon, animal tissues) on time scales ranging from days to one year. Apparent rate constants for the degradation of specific algal biochemicals will be determined. Identification of diagenetic products resulting from the turnover of the algal carbon by the benthic ecosystem will be investigated and related to the naturally occurring profiles of 234Th and 210Pb. Potential selectivity by deposit feeders for organic content, particle size and quality of material ingested will be evaluated. Uptake of 13C- algal material by infauna will be studied to determine the relative importance of different feeding modes, distributions within the sediment column and body sizes.