A simple and effective method for preserving the sediment–water interface of sediment cores during transport |
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| Authors: | Jessica D Tomkins Dermot Antoniades Scott F Lamoureux Warwick F Vincent |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 3N6;(2) Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada, G1K 7P4 |
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| Abstract: | We describe a method for preserving the upper sediments of fragile sediment cores during transport from field sites and assess
potential effects on subsequent laboratory analyses. This method addresses the need to minimize disturbance to the surfaces
of unfrozen sediment cores used for paleoenvironmental or other high-resolution sedimentological analyses during transport.
A polymer gel (sodium polyacrylate) applied above the sediment surface acts as a barrier to movement while also preserving
surface undulations. The gel seal can preserve even exceptionally fine sedimentary structures (<0.2 mm) in the upper sediments
of lacustrine and fiord sediment cores, but may react with organic material (e.g. algal mats) present on some sediment surfaces.
This reaction creates an adhesive layer at the gel’s base but it can be handled effectively during sampling. The gel seal
minimizes surface deformation and preserves surficial sediments better than traditional seals made of water-absorbent floral
foam, wax or paper towel. In addition to permitting detailed sedimentary and subfossil investigations of the sediment–water
interface, this method shows no detectable effects on measurements of total organic carbon or total nitrogen values in the
sediment. This method is inexpensive, non-hazardous and applicable to many coring systems and sediment types. |
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| Keywords: | Sediment cores Sediment– water interface Sediment disturbance Paleoclimate studies Sedimentology |
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