Seasonal Changes in Oxygen Uptake by Settled Particulate Matter and Sediments in a Marine Bay

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Abstract
Oxygen consumption by material deposited in sediment traps suspended at different depths in a coastal marine bay was highest during summer. Seasonal changes in respiration (Formalin sensitive oxygen uptake) were significantly correlated with organic content and highest rates on a dry and organic weight basis occurred during summer. There was no consistent depth-related change in oxygen uptake but seasonal changes in respiration were significantly correlated over consecutive 10-m depth intervals between 20 and 60 m. Rates of respiration and chemical oxidation by undisturbed sediment cores from 60 m, which were maximum during late summer, were not related to seasonal changes in temperature or dissolved oxygen concentration. A 1–2-mo delay existed between the deposition of particulate matter with maximum rates of oxygen consumption and maximum oxygen uptake by bottom sediments. Similar seasonal changes and calculation of the carbon equivalent of sediment respiration, however, show that oxidation of settled organic matter is largely complete within the year of deposition. Key words: sedimentation, particulate matter, biological and chemical oxidation, marine sediments

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