ORGANIC-MATTER MINERALIZATION IN MARINE SYSTEMS

Many of the reactions and biogeochemical processes that occur in the m arine environment are related directly or indirectly to the mineraliza tion of organic matter. Decomposition of organic matter is responsible for the recycling of essential nutrients, for the oxygen balance of t he ocean and its sediments and for most early diagenetic processes. Th e rate at which organic matter is mineralized varies over orders of ma gnitude and depends on, among other factors, the composition and origi n of the organic material being degraded and on the environmental cond itions. However, direct relationships between organic matter decomposi tion rates and organic matter composition or between mineralization ra tes and organic matter decomposition pathways (e.g. oxic versus anoxic ) are difficult to establish.