Organic matter composition in coastal sediments at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) during summer 1995

We illustrate the spatial and vertical distribution of sediment phytopigmen ts and organic matter biochemical composition at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) during summer 1995. Coastal sediments displayed high phytopigments concentr ations associated with huge amounts of labile organic matter largely domina ted by proteins. This result was opposite to previous observations in the s ame area. Such comparison suggested that whilst organic matter quantity in the sediments depended upon the vertical input from the water column, tempo ral changes in its biochemical composition were related to benthic processe s. As considerably high concentrations of biopolymeric organic carbon were found even at 6-cm depth and according to the "loss type" Functioning of th e coastal waters of the Ross Sea, we stress the summer time occurrence in c oastal sediments of an important organic matter burial.