Self-Sedimentation of Fossil Phytoplankton Blooms, Laminated Hemipelagic Sediments and the Oceanic Carbon Cycle: ABSTRACT

Abstract

The flux of phytoplankton-derived organic carbon from the surface ocean to the deep sea and underlying sediments is a nonuniform process that significantly impacts biogeochemical cycles, atmospheric pCO[sub 2] / O[sub 2] and organic carbon enrichment in marine sediments. Some marine phytoplankton actively drive the sedimentation process by the formation of sticky transparent gels which facilitate aggregation, rapid sinking and efficient export flux. Here we present fossil evidence of unfragmented, low-diversity phytoplankton assemblages preserved as sedimentary laminations and as preserved aggregates that are attributable to a similar phytoplankton-driven sedimentary mechanism, here termed [open quotes]self-sedimentation[close quotes]. Heterogeneities in the texture and/or composition of sediment supply are necessary for the production of laminatedhemipelagic sediments; the absence of hydraulic and biological reworking permits preservation of these sedimentary laminae. Distinctly-laminated core intervals are characterized by large compositional contrasts between adjacent laminae; many such high-bimodality couplets are attributable to self-sedimentation of phytoplankton blooms. Self-sedimentation propels the formation of some conspicuous hemipelagic sedimentary laminations and results in efficient carbon and opal flux to the sediments. These records suggest that phytoplankton-mediated changes in the efficiency of the biological carbon pump may govern many accumulations of organic-rich hydrocarbon source rock as well as many abrupt changes in atmosphericmore » pCO[sub 2] and climate.« less