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dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1951/59712
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11401/71282
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.en_US
dc.formatMonograph
dc.format.mediumElectronic Resourceen_US
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherThe Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
dc.typeThesis
dcterms.abstractThe role of biogenic tube material produced by polychaete worms in the cycling of organic matter in marine sediments is relatively unknown. Here I characterize the fate of the constructional material of one polychaete, Chaetopterus variopedatus. Preliminary experiments showed little to no degradation under oxygenated conditions or in anoxic seawater, so degradation was followed in anoxic sediment. SEM studies revealed distinct morphological changes during anoxic decomposition. The tube walls are made from a well-formed cross-woven mesh of fibers, which are individually typically 100 nm in diameter. In incubated tubes, the integrity of this mesh structure is lost during decomposition. SEM and X-ray studies of tube material also revealed the presence of swathes of manganese micro-nodular structures in fresh tubes that are also lost during anoxic decomposition. The time-scale of organic matter release from these tubes is on the order of months, with a higher pulse release of organic matter in the first 60 days, followed by a more gradual release. In addition to the slow release of organic matter, the tube material also acts as a sink for redox-sensitive metals including manganese and iron. Manganese is typically 40X enriched compared to surrounding sediments, whereas the iron is typically 2.5X enriched. Manganese is lost more rapidly and continuously from the tubes over time compared to iron, which after an initial decrease stays fairly constant. The time-scale of release of manganese is on the order of weeks, with >50% being lost within the first month. This has significant effects on the concentration of manganese in surrounding sediments and porewater. In localized areas where they are found, C. variopedatus tube production can account for ~12% of the average annual POC flux to the benthos from water column primary production, ~11% of the PON flux and >100% of the POP flux to the benthos.
dcterms.available2013-05-22T17:34:51Z
dcterms.available2015-04-24T14:46:50Z
dcterms.contributorAller, Robert C., Lee, Cindyen_US
dcterms.contributorAller, Josephine Y.en_US
dcterms.contributorZhu, Qingzhien_US
dcterms.creatorKaushik, Aleya
dcterms.dateAccepted2013-05-22T17:34:51Z
dcterms.dateAccepted2015-04-24T14:46:50Z
dcterms.dateSubmitted2013-05-22T17:34:51Z
dcterms.dateSubmitted2015-04-24T14:46:50Z
dcterms.descriptionDepartment of Marine and Atmospheric Sciencen_US
dcterms.extent74 pg.en_US
dcterms.formatApplication/PDFen_US
dcterms.formatMonograph
dcterms.identifierKAUSHIK_grad.sunysb_0771M_10569en_US
dcterms.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/1951/59712
dcterms.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/11401/71282
dcterms.issued2011-08-01
dcterms.languageen_US
dcterms.provenanceMade available in DSpace on 2013-05-22T17:34:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 KAUSHIK_grad.sunysb_0771M_10569.pdf: 6666292 bytes, checksum: e7b742e7bf5134de641abdbc18eff368 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1en
dcterms.provenanceMade available in DSpace on 2015-04-24T14:46:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 KAUSHIK_grad.sunysb_0771M_10569.pdf.jpg: 1894 bytes, checksum: a6009c46e6ec8251b348085684cba80d (MD5) KAUSHIK_grad.sunysb_0771M_10569.pdf.txt: 106521 bytes, checksum: 443675aa4a2a7a073922ac423b4097e1 (MD5) KAUSHIK_grad.sunysb_0771M_10569.pdf: 6666292 bytes, checksum: e7b742e7bf5134de641abdbc18eff368 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1en
dcterms.publisherThe Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
dcterms.subjectChemical oceanography
dcterms.subjectBenthos, Diagenesis, Macrofauna, Tubes, Worms
dcterms.titleDiagenetic behavior of structural materials formed by benthic macrofauna
dcterms.typeThesis


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