Sediment Pore Waters

Abstract

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in marine sediment pore waters plays an important role in sediment carbon and nitrogen remineralization and may also be involved in sediment carbon preservation. In this chapter we examine this topic, focusing on: the composition and reactivity of pore water DOM, with particular reference to its role in sediment organic matter remineralization; the factors that control pore water DOM concentrations over various time and space scales; the role of benthic DOM fluxes in the oceanic cycles of carbon and nitrogen; and role of pore water DOM in sediment carbon preservation. Approaches to modeling pore water DOM are also described.