Organic matter quality and supply to deep-water coral/mound systems of the NW European Continental Margin |
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| Authors: | K Kiriakoulakis A Freiwald E Fisher G A Wolff |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Liverpool, 4 Brownlow Street, L69 3GP Liverpool, UK;(2) Institute of Paleontology, Erlangen University, Loewenichstr 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Comparison of five deep-water coral (DWC)/mound ecosystems along the European Continental Margin shows that suspended particulate
organic matter (sPOM), a potential food source, is lipid rich and of high quality. However, there are differences between
the sites. The Darwin and Pelagia Mounds (N. Rockall Trough and N. Porcupine Bank, respectively) have higher proportions of
labile particulate lipids (including high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids) in the benthic boundary layer than Logachev,
Hovland and Belgica Mounds (Rockall Bank, S. Porcupine Bank and Porcupine Seabight, respectively). The high quality sPOM could
be transported downslope from the euphotic zone. There is some evidence for inter-annual variability at some sites (e.g. Hovland
and Logachev Mounds) as large differences in suspended lipid and particulate organic carbon concentrations were observed over
the sampling period. Elevated total organic carbon contents of sediments at mound sites, relative to control sites in some
cases (particularly Darwin Mounds), probably reflect local hydrodynamic control and the trapping of sPOM by the DWC. Fresh
POM can be relatively rapidly transferred to significant depth (up to 8 cm) through bioturbation that is evident at all sites.
There is no clear evidence of present day hydrocarbon seepage at any of the sites. |
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| Keywords: | Lophelia pertusa Corals Carbonate mounds Biogeochemistry Lipids PUFAs BBL Sediments Rockall Trough Porcupine Seabight |
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