Effect of advective pore water flow on degradation of organic matter in permeable sandy sediment : - A study of fresh- and brackish water

The carbon metabolism in costal sediments is of major importance for the global carbon cycle. Costal sediments are also subjected to physical forcing generating water fluxes above and through the sediments, but how the physical affect the carbon metabolism is currently poorly known. In this study, the effect of advective pore water flow on degradation of organic matter in permeable sandy sediment was investigated in a laboratory study during wintertime. Sediments were collected from both brackish water (Askö) and from a fresh water stream (Getå Stream). In two chamber experiments, with and without advective pore water flow, the degradation of organic matter was measured through carbon dioxide analysis from water and headspace. In Askö sediments mineralization rates ranged from 3.019 - 5.115 mmol C m-2 d-1 and 3.139 mmol C m-2 d-1 with and without advective pore water flow, respectively. Those results correspond with results from earlier studies of carbon mineralization rates in sediment in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the Askö sediment. In Getå Stream sediments mineralization rates ranged between 4.059 mmol C m-2 d-1 and 6.806 mmol C m-2 d-1 with and without advective flow, respectively. The mineralization rates for Getå Stream correspond with earlier studies of carbon mineralization rates in a stream in New Hampshire