Particulate matter deposition and nutrient fluxes onto the sediments of the venice lagoon

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Abstract
Suspended particulate matter (SPM) deposition has been quantified by means of traps placed on the sediment surface in three areas of the Venice lagoon differentiating for the biogeochemical properties. The average amounts of SPM collected in areas A, B, C were 41, 65, and 140 kg m‐2 year‐1, respectively, and in the ranges 22–533, 17–535 and 46–947 g m‐2 day‐1. Suspended matter deposition was uneven throughout the year with remarkable seasonal variations. Total nitrogen and phosphorus bound to SPM were in the ranges: 18.4–104.7 and 2.2–11.5 mmol m‐2 day‐1, respectively. Nutrient deposition onto surface sediments has been compared with the nutrient fluxes from sediment to overlying waters previously measured by benthic chambers and with laboratory experiments by sediment cores.