Geochemical characterisation of northern Norwegian fjord surface sediments: A baseline for further paleo-environmental investigations

Faust, Johan C.; Scheiber, Thomas; Fabian, Karl; Vogt, Christoph; Knies, Jochen

doi:10.1016/j.csr.2017.08.015

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Yet, C org /N org and δ 13 C org in the Ofotfjord, Tysfjord, and Vestfjord sediments show only a weak correlation (r = 0.4, n = 39; Figure S4; for mathematical reasons we use N org /C org instead of C org /N org for all calculations provided in this manuscript; Perdue & Koprivnjak, 2007). However, no clear relationship between any grain size fraction and C org and N org was found (r < 0.3, n = 39; grain size data are published in Faust et al, 2017). But the comparison of the C org analysis of two different laboratories (NGU [LECO] and Iso-Analytical [EA-IRMS]) reveals very similar C org results (r = 0.99, n = 39).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…These parameters have been extensively investigated and successfully utilized in previous studies to differentiate marine from terrigenous OM in fjord and ocean surface sediments (Bertrand et al, 2012;Faust, Knies, Slagstad, et al, 2014;Goñi et al, 1997;Karageorgis et al, 2005;Knies et al, 2007;Knies & Martinez, 2009;Knudson et al, 2011;Perdue & Koprivnjak, 2007;Sepúlveda et al, 2011;Sepúlveda et al, 2009;Stein & MacDonald, 2004;Winkelmann & Knies, 2005). Previous investigations of fjord surface sediments from Chile, New Zealand, and Norway found clear gradients of terrigenous versus marine OM from the inner fjords toward the open ocean (Duffield et al, 2017;Faust, Knies, Slagstad, et al, 2014;Faust et al, 2017;Knudson et al, 2011;Sepúlveda et al, 2011;Silva et al, 2011). These geochemical gradients were associated with two opposing and fundamental processes: the inflow of oceanic water versus the inflow of freshwater from the fjord drainage area Faust, Knies, Slagstad, et al, 2014;Faust et al, 2017).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The oceanography of the fjord system is very complex as it is locally driven by wind and bathymetry and externally by tides and the adjacent NAC and Norwegian Coastal Current (Furnes & Sundby, 1981;Mitchelson-Jacob & Sundby, 2001). For further details of the study area we refer to Faust et al (2017). There have been no observations of anoxic conditions in these fjords (Gitmark et al, 2014).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Robinson et al (2012) compared δ 15 N from sediment traps and surface sediments on a global scale and found that the alteration of δ 15 N toward higher values appears to be a function of water depth. Nevertheless, Faust et al (2017) investigated the inorganic composition of the Ofotfjord, Tysfjord, and Vestfjord sediments and found strong indication that distance and time between erosion and sedimentation are short, and therefore, sedimentation may be very low in the deeper centre of the fjords. When oxygen concentrations are low bacterial reduction of nitrate to N 2 (denitrification) occurs, which strongly increases the δ 15 N in the remaining OM (nitrate) pool (Altabet & François, 1994;Sigman et al, 2009).…”

Section: δ 15 N Of Sedimentary Ommentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Upwelling and downwelling can be induced by prevailing SW and NE winds on the Lofoten and mainland side along the steep edges in the Vestfjord (Furnes & Sundby, 1981). For further details of the study area we refer to Faust et al (2017).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Organic Matter Sources in North Atlantic Fjord Sediments

Faust

Knies

2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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To better constrain the global carbon cycle fundamental knowledge of the role of carbon cycling on continental margins is crucial. Fjords are particularly important shelf areas for carbon burial due to relatively high sedimentation rates and high organic matter fluxes. As terrigenous organic matter is more resistant to remineralization than marine organic matter, a comprehensive knowledge of the carbon source is critical to better constrain the efficiency of organic carbon burial in fjord sediments. Here we investigated highly productive fjords in northern Norway and compare our results with both existing and new organic carbon to organic nitrogen ratios and carbon stable isotope compositions from fjords in mid‐Norway, west Svalbard, and east Greenland. The marine organic carbon contribution varies significantly between these fjords, and the contribution of marine organic carbon in Norwegian fjords is much larger than previously suggested for fjords in NW Europe and also globally. Additionally, northern Norwegian fjords show very high marine carbon burial rates (73.6 gC · m‐2 · year‐1) suggesting that these fjords are probably very distinct carbon burial hotspots. We argue that the North Atlantic Current inflow sustains these high burial rates and changes in the current strength due to ongoing climate change are likely to have a pronounced effect on carbon burial in North Atlantic fjords.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: δ 15 N Of Sedimentary Ommentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Organic Matter Sources in North Atlantic Fjord Sediments

Faust

Knies

2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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The importance of microbiota and terrestrial inflows in controlling seston C:N:P:O:Si:Ca:Mn:Mg:Fe:K:Na:Cl:S:Cu:Zn stoichiometry of a deep coastal fjord

et al. 2022

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Comprehensive fjord-systems represent major extensions of the coastline and are therefore important transfer zones of materials from land to ocean. Despite increased terrestrial inflows to fjords due to climate changes, we know little about the effects on the ecosystem, especially biogeochemical cycling. We present novel data on spatiotemporal variations of seston multielement stoichiometry in the Sognefjord, the second longest (204 km) and deepest (1308 m) fjord in the world, relative to environmental conditions and microbiota. Concentration of major elements was highest in the upper brackish layer whereas trace metals and minor elements were highest close to the bottom. Seasonally varying microbiota was an important part of the seston in surface waters. None of the seston C:N:P (molar) annual means at specific depths corresponded to the Redfield ratio (106:16:1). At 5 m, annual means of N/P and C/N were 8.4 and 6.5, respectively, while at depth (50–1220 m) N/P were on scale 3 times higher (21–31) and C/N 3 times lower (1.6–2.6), suggesting alternative N-sequestration mechanisms. Overall, correlations between C-Ca and C-S indicate a strong influence from calcite (CaCO3) and organosulfur producing microorganisms, while correlations between particulate Si and Mg–K–Ca–O at depth are consistent with clay and sinking diatom frustules. Mn concentrations increased strongly towards the bottom, likely from resuspension of MnO2 rich sediments and clay particles. Based on seston concentrations, we arrived at the following stoichiometric relationship: C55N16P1Si3.6Ca3.4O16Fe0.74Mn0.51Zn0.33S0.21Cu0.08Cl1.7Na0.68Mg0.71K0.37, although rarely measured, such information is a prerequisite for evaluating environmental impact on coastal ecosystems, biogeochemical cycling, pollution risk analysis and monitoring guidelines.

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Sources and Fate of Organic Carbon in West Spitsbergen Fjord Systems: A Review

Saalim

Choudhary

Mohan

2022

Journal of the Geological Society of India

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Fjord margins in the high latitude regions are the hotspots for long term carbon burial. Studying the source and fate of organic carbon in high latitude fjords would help assess the sedimentary processes and burial. With the unprecedented warming, the marine productivity patterns are changing, leading to changes in the sources of organic carbon and its eventual burial in marine sediments. In the present study, high latitude fjords in the West Spitsbergen region has been reviewed, subjected to competing effects of large freshwater influx from the glacial melts, enhanced West Spitsbergen Current and its control on marine productivity. The West Spitsbergen Current advects warm North Atlantic waters enriched in nutrients to the fjords in the West Spitsbergen region. The increased freshwater from the glacial melts also dominates the fjords. Thus, the composition of organic matter in the fjord is mainly controlled by the inflow of freshwater from the glaciers and intrusion of oceanic waters to the fjords influencing the organic matter stability and carbon burial efficiency in the fjord sediments. The ongoing rapid warming in the Arctic changes the hydrographic settings, and changes in the strength of West Spitsbergen Current may also influence the long-term organic carbon burial in the West Spitsbergen fjords.

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Geochemical characterisation of northern Norwegian fjord surface sediments: A baseline for further paleo-environmental investigations

Cited by 7 publications

References 67 publications

Organic Matter Sources in North Atlantic Fjord Sediments

Organic Matter Sources in North Atlantic Fjord Sediments

The importance of microbiota and terrestrial inflows in controlling seston C:N:P:O:Si:Ca:Mn:Mg:Fe:K:Na:Cl:S:Cu:Zn stoichiometry of a deep coastal fjord

Sources and Fate of Organic Carbon in West Spitsbergen Fjord Systems: A Review

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