Organic Matter Oxidation in Marine Sediments

Abstract

The diagenesis and preservation of organic matter in marine sediments has received considerable attention in the past several years. Studies have quantified rates of organic carbon oxidation in sediments and how these rates vary among sedimentary environments, representing a range in sedimentation rates, levels of bottom water oxygen and other factors. Also explored has been the relative importance of various oxidants (e.g. O2, NO3−, etc.) in total carbon oxidation.