Biogeochemical Cycling in the Organic-Rich Coastal Environment

本研究的重点是海岸带和上斜坡快速聚集沉积物中有机碳成岩作用的定量研究。这些相互关联的目标反映了所有富有机物海洋环境中与有机物质积累和循环有关的中心过程。目标是：1)量化沿海沉积物有机质来源和输入速率的季节变化；2)了解有机碳源在控制有机碳降解速率和程度中的作用；3)阐明细菌同化DOC（“次生产物”）在沉积物碳循环中的作用。4)确定有机碳发酵的速率和途径。

This research is focused on quantitative studies of organic carbon diagenesis in rapidly accumulating coastal and upper slope sediments. The intermeshing goals reflect the central processes associated with accumulation and recycling of organic materials in all organic-rich marine environments. The goals are: 1) to quantify seasonal variations in the sources and input rates of organic matter to coastal sediments, 2) to understand the role of organic carbon source in controlling the rate and extent of organic carbon degradation, 3) to elucidate the role of bacterial assimilation of DOC ("secondary production") in the sediment carbon cycle, and 4) to determine the rates and pathways of organic carbon fermentation.