Impact of Source Variability and Hydrodynamic Forces on the Distribution, Transport, and Burial of Sedimentary Organic Matter in a Tropical Coastal Margin: The Gulf of Thailand

Abstract

AbstractCarbon cycling in the tropical margin is more extensive compared with other regions of the world. The goal of this study was to better understand the origins, transport, and burial of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) in the Gulf of Thailand (GOT) from the coastal margin of Southeast (SE) Asia, which serve as a major depository of fine‐grained sediments and the associated organic carbon (OC). The results revealed a variety of organic matter (OM) inputs and the selective transport of fine sediment, resulting in preferential dispersal of terrigenous SOM in the GOT. Bulk OC indices with low carbon/nitrogen ratios and enriched stable carbon isotope ratios (−24.2‰ to −20.4‰, and mean −21.4 ± 0.56‰) are likely related to the presence of marine‐derived OM and anthropogenic interference. A binary mixing model further clarified the significant contributions of terrestrial derived‐OM within the upper and central GOT. The n‐alkane compositions and principal component analysis indicated that a majority of the terrigenous SOM settles within the estuary in the upper GOT, while a selective dispersal of land‐based SOM through long‐distance transport toward the modern depocenter in the lower GOT. The characteristics of lower molecular weight n‐alkanes also suggest anthropogenic OM input from petroleum‐related contributions. Altogether, the depositional patterns and spatial heterogeneity of the SOM indicated by both the bulk and molecular signatures reveal the important roles of source variability and the selective dispersal of land‐based OM on the supply and accumulation of OC in the tropical coastal margin.