Carbon concentration and sinking velocity of particles measured during the James Cook cruise JC087, March 2013

Sinking organic particles were collected from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain in 2013. Collection was done using a marine snow catcher (MSC), which is essentially a large (95 L) settling column. The marine snow catcher is deployed to one depth, the water trapped inside and then brought to the surface and left to stand on deck for 2 hours during which time the particles settle down (or up) the MSC depending on their settling rate. The particles are then collected and due to position of collection from the snow catcher are determined as fast or slow sinking particles. Some fluxes are negative as they were positively buoyant and not sinking.

(Table 6) Sulfate ion concentration and alkalinity in interstitial waters from bottom sediments of Core DM9-666, Gulf of California

New data on phosphorites collected by dredging and trawling at depths from 2700 to 520 m in the open Atlantic Ocean (i.e. outside of the shelf and the continental slope) are reported. Aphanitic, granular, brecciated, and conglomerate-like types are distinguished among the phosphorites. A comparison of the studied phosphorites with ones from the Atlantic shelf of Africa and from seamounts of other oceans is made.