New evidence for preservation of contemporary marine organic carbon by iron in Arctic shelf sediments
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15548369 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Johan C Faust (0000-0001-8177-7097, University of Bremen, corresponding author), Philippa Ascough (0000-0001-6529-2903, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre), Robert Hilton (0000-0002-0499-3332, University of Oxford), Mark A Stevenson (0000-0002-8955-0855, Durham University), Katharine R Hendry, Katharine Hendry (0000-0002-0790-5895, British Antarctic Survey), Christian März (0000-0003-2558-4711, University of Leeds) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 014006-014006 |
| Publication date | 2022-11-30 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Research Letters (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1748-9326 • E-ISSN: 1748-9326 |
| Publisher | IOP Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1088/1748-9326/aca780 |
| OpenAlex | W4312093342 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 77 |
The protection of organic carbon through association with iron minerals (Fe R ) is an important factor in its stabilisation, long-term storage, and burial efficiency in marine sediments. However, large uncertainties still exist concerning the sources, lability, age, and composition of the organic matter associated with Fe R in natural sediments. Therefore, the timing and environmental setting of the carbon-iron bonding process remain elusive. Here we use radiocarbon (Δ 14 C) and stable isotopes (δ 13 C) of downcore bulk sedimentary organic matter, benthic foraminifera and the organic carbon fraction bound to Fe R to interrogate the source and age of the organic carbon pool associated with Fe R in Arctic marine sediments. In the Barents Sea, we find that the organic carbon associated with Fe R is younger overall than the bulk organic matter and is probably marine derived. The comparison to other investigations of OC-Fe R origins reveals that in large parts of Arctic shelf regions Fe R associated organic carbon is radiocarbon enriched and has a higher δ 13 C org value compared to the bulk sediment, irrespective of sediment depth/age. Our findings suggest a rapid and preferential binding of fresh and marine organic matter with Fe R . Hence, labile organic matter prone to decomposition is protected and stabilised, underlining the potential of the organic carbon–iron association as an efficient carbon burial mechanism
Arctic · Benthic zone · Carbon fibers · Continental shelf · Foraminifera · Isotopes of carbon · Organic matter · Radiocarbon dating · Sediment · Total organic carbon · Chemistry · Environmental Science · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Marine and coastal ecosystems · Materials Science · Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena · Environmental Chemistry · Geology · Oceanography · Organic Chemistry · Paleontology
| Citations per year | 0.33 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2023 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |