SGER: Refractory Organic Matter In Sediments Isolated From The Bay of Bengal

恒河-布拉马普特拉河沉积物样品中含有大量难降解有机质。研究表明，在重铬酸钾和硫酸氧化400小时后，总有机碳（OC）的约20%至60%仍然存在。操作上，这种残留物被称为黑碳（BC）。然而，诸如BC、石墨BC和干酪根等操作定义包含了广泛的碳功能。宾厄姆顿大学的一名研究人员将利用这项探索性研究小额赠款的资金，参加一项即将进行的巡航活动，在2006年季风季节后半段隔离排入孟加拉湾的悬浮沉积物和地表沉积物。这次巡游将于2006年7月27日至8月15日进行，届时将提供一个独特的机会，可以捕捉到从恒河-布拉马普特拉河系统在高流量期间排放到孟加拉湾的沉积物的脉动。每个样品中不稳定碳池的化学组成将通过对样品进行水解热解来解决。利用水解热解来阐明不稳定和难熔有机碳池的组成将是一个特别新颖和探索性的冒险。分离和分析孟加拉湾的沉积物，并将其水解热解特征与PI先前分离的下游河流沉积物的水解热解特征进行比较，将为海洋碳储存的基本机制提供重要信息。就更广泛的影响而言，该项目将涉及首席研究员、其他美国科学家以及他们的印度和孟加拉国同事之间的多项研究合作。这种国际合作将使印度和孟加拉国的科学家接触到最先进的分析技术，并在未来几年促进富有成果的科学信息交流。

ABSTRACTOCE-0630614Sediment samples isolated from the Ganges-Brahmaputra are comprised of a tremendous amount of refractory organic matter. Studies have shown that ca. 20% to 60% of the total organic carbon (OC) remains after a 400 hour oxidation with potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid. Operationally, this residue is known as black carbon (BC). However, operational definitions such as BC, graphitic BC, and kerogen comprise a broad range of carbon functionality.With funds from this Small Grant for Exploratory Research, an investigator at Binghamton University will participate in an upcoming cruise to isolate suspended and surface sediments discharged into the Bay of Bengal during the latter part of the monsoon season in 2006. The cruise, set for July 27 to August 15, 2006, will present a unique opportunity to catch the pulse of sediments discharged from the Ganges-Brahmaputra River system into the Bay of Bengal during high flow. The chemical composition of the labile pool of carbon in each sample will be addressed by subjecting the sample to hydrolytic pyrolysis. Using hydrolytic pyrolysis to elucidate the composition of labile and refractory pools of organic carbon will be a particularly novel and exploratory venture. Isolating and analyzing sediments from the Bay of Bengal and comparing the hydrolytic pyrolysis signatures to that of sediments in the lower river previously isolated by the PI will provide important information about the fundamental mechanism(s) responsible for ocean carbon storage.In terms of broader impacts, this project will involve multiple research collaborations between the principal investigator, other US scientists, and their Indian and Bangladeshi colleagues. Such international collaborations will expose Indian and Bangladeshi scientists to state-of-the art analytical techniques and promote a fruitful exchange of scientific information in future years.