Early Diagenesis of Organic Matter: The Dynamics (Rates) of Cycling of Organic Compounds

Abstract

Major changes in the concentration and composition of organic matter occur in the upper layers of aquatic sediments [see chapters by Hedges and Prahl (Chapter 11), Macko, Engel, and Parker (Chapter 9), and Meyers and Ishiwatari (Chapter 8) in this volume]. The remineralization and most of the transformations of organic matter occur because of the energy these processes yield to sediment organisms. Certain transformations yield specific organic compounds required for growth and reproduction. Others occur because of changes in sediment chemistry resulting from organic matter oxidation. Much of the organic matter diagenesis in sediments is rapid compared to geologic time scales, occurring in less than 1000 years. Study of rates of organic matter decomposition can help to identify which characteristics of the environment, the sediment, or the deposited organic matter are important in determining whether an organic substance is remineralized, altered, or preserved unchanged during early diagenesis. Results of such studies have numerous broader implications and potential applications.KeywordsTotal Organic CarbonMarine SedimentParticulate Organic CarbonSediment Accumulation RateEarly DiagenesisThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.