DIAGENESIS IN ANOXIC SEDIMENTS FROM THE CALIFORNIA CONTINENTAL BORDERLAND AND ITS INFLUENCE ON IRON, SULFUR, AND MAGNETITE BEHAVIOR

Solid phase and pore water profiles of compounds containing iron and sulfur have been determined by wet chemical, magnetic, and X-ray diffraction techniques in three basins. A model is developed to predict the depth at which magnetite dissolution should occur, based on sulfate reduction rates and the flux of ferric oxyhydroxides. The results of this model predict the onset of dissolution at depths of 5-40 cm in different basins and agree well with the observed depths of magnetite dissolution. -from Authors