Organic carbon accumulation matter preservation

Calvert, S.E., and Pedersen, T.F. (1992) Organic carbon accumulation and preservation in marine sediments how important is anoxia In Organic Matter (Whelan, J., and Farrington, J.W., eds.), pp. 231-263, Columbia University Press, New York. 

Organic Carbon and Productivity Of the total carbon fixed annually ( 120 X lO mol C yr ) nearly all is respired and oxidized. Only a very small fraction of the organic matter produced in the ocean accumulates in the sediments. On a geological time scale the organic carbon preserved in the sediments is eventually remineralized to CO2. 

Use the simple model approach from Figure 12.12 and the general values given (5 = 85%, cp = 2,5 g cm= 500 yr) to calculate the degree of organic carbon preservation when accumulation rates are 1 and 0,1 (mg cm yr ) for NRP and, respectively, and a reactive mixed layer of 10 cm thickness. Please consider that the degradation of organic matter has an effect on the sedimentation rate (co). 

Conkright M. E. and Sackett W. M. (1992) Stable carbon isotope changes during the maturation of organic matter. In Organic Matter Productivity, Accumulation, and Preservation in Recent and Ancient Sediments (eds. J. K. Whelan and J. W. Farrington), pp. 403-414. Columbia University Press, New York. 

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