Early diagenesis of organic matter: the dynamics (rates) of cycling of organic compounds

Abstract

Discusses the available methods for rate measurements and selected results of rate measurements between the sediment - water interface and about 1-m depth in the sediment. Focuses on both freshwater and marine sediments, but there are significant differences in anaerobic organic matter decomposition processes. The most significant are that little sulfate is present in freshwater sediments, whereas it is a major oxidant in marine sediments. Lignin and structural polysaccharides, such as cellulose, are important constituents of the organic matter supplied to most freshwater sediments, but are minor constituents in nearly all marine sediments. -from Author