Determination for the different combined-form inorganic carbon in marine sediments

Marine sediment is the important sources and sinks of carbon. The inorganic carbon(IC) in marine sediments plays an important role in carbon cycling. In order to understand IC function in carbon cycling, sequential extraction method based on IC combined chemical strength difference were established to get five phases: NaCl phase (step I), NH3 - H2O phase (step II), NaOH phase (step III), NH2OH . HCl phase (step IV) and HCl phase(step V). The best extraction conditions were obtained by a series of experiments. Extractants were added into plastic centrifuge tubes in Step I - M, the capped tube were placed on a shaker table to keep the solids suspended for two hours. The suspended solution was separated by centrifugal, the residues were washed with water. The two supernatant were combined and the CO, was finally determined by volumetric analysis. The residues were transferred into conical flask in step IV and V, and then the extractants were added. The produced CO2 was adsorbed by saturated Ba(OH)(2) solution, and determined by volumetric analysis. This method for IC has a good precision in the analysis sediment samples.

Matrix-bound phosphine: A new form of phosphorus found in sediment of Jiaozhou Bay

Matrix-bound phosphine (PH3), a new form of phosphorus, was found in sediment of Jiaozhou Bay in December 2001. Concentration and distribution of PH3 in different layers of sediment with different stations were analyzed. The results show that PH3 concentrations are various with different layers and different stations. PH3 concentrations in the bottom layer of sediment (20-30 cm) are usually higher than those in the surface layer (0-4 cm). The highest PH3 concentration in our investigation reaches 685 ng/kg (dry), which is much higher than those in terrestrial paddy soil, marsh and landfill that have been reported up to now. The correlation analysis indicates that there is no apparent correlation between the concentrations of PH3 and inorganic phosphorus in sediment. However, the correlation between the concentrations of phosphine and organic phosphorus in the bottom layer of sediment is remarkable (R-2=0.83). It is mainly considered that PH3 in sediment of Jiaozhou Bay is produced from the decomposition of organic phosphorus in the anaerobic condition, and so PH3 concentrations are related to organic phosphorus concentration and anaerobic environment in sediment. The discovery of PH3 in sediment will give people some new ideas on the mechanisms of phosphorus supplement and biogeochemical cycle in Jiaozhou Bay.