The early diagenesis of organic matter: bacterial activity

Abstract

The ultimate model of early diagenesis of organic matter in marine sediments will predict pathways and reaction rates for the wide diversity of organic compounds commonly found in sediments and almost continuously attacked by living organisms and their extracellular enzymes. Its construction and validation will require direct measurements of organisms and enzymes working to degrade complex particulate and dissolved OM in undisturbed sediments and pore waters under in situ conditions. Four current approaches to understanding OM diagenesis, and clarifing questions yet to be resolved, are described. -Authors