AMINO-ACID DIAGENESIS, ORGANIC-CARBON AND NITROGEN MINERALIZATION IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS FROM THE INNER OSLOFJORD, NORWAY

Total hydrolyzed amino acids (THAA), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) have been measured in an oxic and anoxic surface sediment from the inner Oslofjord. Downcore variations of these parameters are ascribed to both diagenesis and changes in organic matter supply, the latter being most important. These changes are most prominent in the anoxic sediment, which reflects the eutrophication history of the innermost part of the fjord. Downcore, THAA content decreased from 3.8 to 2.0 mg/g (salt-free dry weight) in the oxic sediment and from 22.3 to 3.8 mg/g in the anoxic sediment. Total amino acid nitrogen varied between 17 and 34% of total nitrogen in the oxic, and 25 and 54% in the anoxic, sediment. Organic carbon and organic nitrogen accumulation rates and depth integrated mineralization rates are about three times higher in the anoxic sediment than in the oxic sediment. Recycling of amino acids accounted for 4 to 12% of the total organic carbon and 13 to 40% of the total organic nitrogen regenerated in these sediments.