Sediment grain size and organic carbon distribution in the Cabras lagoon (Sardinia, Western Mediterranean)
- 1 June 2004
- journal article
- other
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Chemistry and Ecology
- Vol. 20 (sup1), 367-377
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02757540310001629189
Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate the spatial variability of sediment bulk properties in the surface sediments as well as down-core trends, and to assess the relationship between sediment distribution and levels of total organic carbon (TOC), in the Cabras lagoon, Sardinia. Grain size distributions and TOC contents were measured in the surface sediments (0–2 cm horizon) in a grid of 31 stations. Vertical profiles along the 0–24 cm depth horizon were also measured in three stations. In the superficial horizon, TOC content was very high, up to 43 mg g−1, with a mean of 33 mg g−1. Core profiles showed a marked reduction of TOC content with depth to ∼20–25 mg g−1 and a concomitant shift in particles size towards a sandier composition (mud content decreasing from 95–100% to 70–85%) at 3–7 cm core depth. Total organic carbon contents in the uppermost layers were associated with the grain size fraction <8 µm. The results suggest that a major change in the sedimentary regime of the lagoon, associated with internal trapping and re-distribution of organic C-bounding fine particles, has been occurring in the last few decades. The cause would appear to be the construction of a dam at the lagoon mouth rising up to the high tide level in order to maintain a constant lagoonal water level.Keywords
This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of organic matter input from a fish farming facility on a Posidonia oceanica meadowEstuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 2003
- Our evolving conceptual model of the coastal eutrophication problemMarine Ecology Progress Series, 2001
- Impact of cage farming of fish on the seabed in three Mediterranean coastal areasICES Journal of Marine Science, 2000
- Stream-scanning laser system, electric sensing counter and settling grain size analysis: a comparison using reference materials and marine sedimentsSedimentary Geology, 2000
- Effects of fish farming on seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) in a Mediterranean bay: seagrass decline after organic loading cessationOceanologica Acta, 1999
- Sortable silt and fine sediment size/composition slicing: Parameters for palaeocurrent speed and palaeoceanographyPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, 1995
- Chemical processes at the sediment-water interfaceMarine Chemistry, 1990
- Carbon and nitrogen determinations of carbonate‐containing solids1Limnology and Oceanography, 1984
- Oxygen Consumption and Dissolved Inorganic Nutrient Production in Marine Coastal and Shelf Sediments of the Middle Atlantic BightInternational Review of Hydrobiology, 1983
- Analysis of organic carbon in marine sediments1Limnology and Oceanography, 1980