Behaviour of organic carbon in Southampton Water
Varney, M. (2000). Behaviour of organic carbon in Southampton Water, in: Collins, M. et al. Solent science: a review. Proceedings in Marine Science, 1: pp. 175-185 In: Collins, M.; Ansell, K. (Ed.) (2000). Solent science: A review. Proceedings in Marine Science, 1. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISBN 0-444-50465-6. 385 pp., more In: Proceedings in Marine Science. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 1568-2692; e-ISSN 2352-2860, more |  |
| Abstract | Organic compounds have an extremely wide variety of sources and behaviour in Southampton Water. The sediments act as a large (but inefficient) collection device; the top few centimetres represent historical inputs from the last few decades. Because sediment are mobile and can be re-worked, they can act also as a conveyor belt. It is convenient to sample the sediments and extend the analogy to define the rates of input and mechanisms of transport, for a multitude of different compounds. The largest input is entirely natural, but one which is least known and least studied. The impact of plant litter is greatest at the head of an estuarine system because of a 'salting out' effect; however, this is strongly seasonal. Our present knowledge of the association of other compounds, with plant litter, is inadequate but the best projections are that there is a very strong interaction. High sedimentary concentrations of plant litter (POC) may enhance the concentrations of other compounds, both natural and anthropogenic. Discharges or releases of other organic compounds may, therefore, be significantly affected by location. Considerations to the future planned discharges or releases of compounds should include; residence times of water in Southampton Water (related to rainfall); suspended sediment concentrations (related to flow rates and meteorological conditions); and season (mixing processes). |
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