Organic Geochemical Tracers in Estuaries
Abstract
Knowledge of the sources and reactivity of organic matter, as well as factors controlling its distribution, are important to understanding the role of estuarine and coastal systems in global biogeochemical cycles. However, examining organic matter composition in nearshore environments presents unique challenges to organic geochemists. First, these are dynamic systems and the forces influencing organic matter composition vary over a range of time scales. Secondly, these systems receive inputs of organic matter from a variety of organic matter sources differing in their lability, and making it necessary to use a combination of tools including elemental, isotopic, bulk biochemical and biomarker methods. Furthermore, the relative abundance of organic matter sources varies spatially and temporally, requiring large sample sets to provide adequate representation. Lastly, estuarine sediments often do not make good preservation sites, making it a challenge to use a historical approach to reconstruct changes in organic matter composition. This is due to the effects of bioturbation, bathymetry and sediment composition.
- Publication:
-
Organic Geochemistry
- Pub Date:
- 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S0146-6380(00)00188-1
- Bibcode:
- 2001OrGeo..32..451B