A model for coupled sulfate reduction and methane oxidation in the sediments of Saanich Inlet |
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| Authors: | AH Devol JJ Anderson K Kuivila JW Murray |
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| Institution: | School of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 USA;School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 USA |
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| Abstract: | A methane-sulfate coupled reaction diffusion model has been developed to describe the inverse relationship commonly observed between methane and sulfate concentrations in the pore waters of anoxic marine sediments. The sediment column was divided into two zones; an upper zone where diagenetic reaction rates are limited by the concentration of oxidizable organic matter and a lower zone in which reaction rates are limited by the concentration of oxidizing agent—sulfate. For each zone differential equations describing the distribution of methane and sulfate were derived. The boundary conditions used to solve these equations resulted in a set of four coupled equations. When fit to data from Saanich Inlet (B.C., Canada) and Skan Bay (Alaska) the model not only reproduces the observed methane and sulfate pore water concentration profiles but also accurately predicts the methane oxidation and sulfate reduction rates. Maximum methane oxidation rates occur at the transition boundary from the upper to the lower layer. In Saanich Inlet sediments from 23 to 40% of the downward sulfate flux is consumed in methane oxidation while in Skan Bay this value is only about 12%. |
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