Ps. Meadows et al., MICROBIAL AND MEIOFAUNAL ABUNDANCE, REDOX POTENTIAL, PH AND SHEAR-STRENGTH PROFILES IN DEEP-SEA PACIFIC SEDIMENTS, Journal of the Geological Society, 151, 1994, pp. 377-390
Vertical profiles of microbial and meiofaunal abundances, and of redox
potential, pH, water content and shear strength have been measured in
sediment subcores from seven box cores collected in the southern Cent
ral Pacific and the findings have been related to potential effects on
pelagic fluxes and sedimentation. Microbial and meiofaunal abundance
decreased exponentially with sediment depth. Micro-organisms were foun
d throughout the depth of the core to 40 cm. Meiofauna were only prese
nt in the top 5 cm to 10 cm. Meiofaunal metazoans decreased more rapid
ly than foraminiferans. Redox potential was always positive, decreased
below the surface and often rose again deeper in the sediment. pH sho
wed no clear cut trend with depth. Shear strength increased with sedim
ent depth and showed occasional anomalous fluctuations. Water content
decreased progressively downwards with the widest scatter in the top 5
-10 cm. The most important implications of these results for the water
column above are likely to be biologically mediated organic mineraliz
ation and nutrient regeneration into the water column, and biodepositi
on of heavy metals and the binding of particulates at and above the se
diment-water interface by extracellular polymeric material, which will
in turn lead to differential patterns of sedimentation.