Bromine counts from XRF scanning as an estimate of the marine organic carbon content of sediment cores

Abstract

XRF sediment core scanning technology is increasingly used to quantify sediment composition. The overall good correlation between biophilic halogen bromine (Br) and sedimentary total organic carbon (TOC) potentially allows the fast estimation of down core TOC profiles by XRF scanning. In order to test this approach we present data from the Arabian Sea and a Mediterranean brine basin, comparing XRF core scanning Br data with discrete sample TOC analyses. Overall, Br counts and TOC show a clear correlation, except when stable carbon isotope and C/N data indicate intervals characterized by enhanced input of terrestrial organic matter. Hence, solid phase Br is exclusively associated with marine organic matter (MOC) and can be used as a direct estimate of this parameter after a calibration is established. High pore water Br in the brine core steepens the Br/TOC correlation but after salt correction shows a nearly identical gradient to that of the Arabian Sea core.