FY 1978

Chemistry of oceanic particulate matter and sediments: Implications for bottom sediment resuspension

Baker, E.T., and R.A. Feely

Science, 200, 533–535, doi: 10.1126/science.200.4341.533 (1978)

Analyses of suspended particulate matter from the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean have defined a 400-meter-thick benthic nepheloid layer enriched in aluminum, silicon, iron, and manganese relative to the overlying waters. Chemical mass-balance calculations suggest that the concentration increases in the benthic nepheloid layer are due to resuspension from the fraction of the local bottom sediments in the size range ≤1 micrometer.