The contribution of the fine sediment fraction to the Fluffy Layer Suspended Matter (FLSM)
Fluffy Layer Suspended Matter (FLSM) is a layer of fairlyconcentrated suspended matter resting on the sea floor. Itspassage to the depositional basins in the Pomeranian Bay -Arkona Deep System of the Baltic Sea is estimated to takearound six months. In the course of this migration, theproperties of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
2002-12-01
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| Series: | Oceanologia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.iopan.gda.pl/oceanologia/44_4.html#A7 |
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| Summary: | Fluffy Layer Suspended Matter (FLSM) is a layer of fairlyconcentrated suspended matter resting on the sea floor. Itspassage to the depositional basins in the Pomeranian Bay -Arkona Deep System of the Baltic Sea is estimated to takearound six months. In the course of this migration, theproperties of FLSM change as a result of ageing and theinflux of fresh particles from the water column, andpossibly also because of mass exchange with the uppermostsediment layers. Measurements of radioisotopes (<sup>210</sup>Po,<sup>210</sup>Pb, <sup>137</sup>Cs) have demonstrated that in shallow water thistopmost layer of sediments, from 8 cm to 3 cm in thickness,is subject to mixing. This creates redox profiles favourableto biota and bioturbation.<br>Basing on <sup>210</sup>Pb/<sup>210</sup>Po disequilibria and the <sup>210</sup>Po excess,it was estimated that under steady state conditions from1.5 to 2.2% of fine fraction (FSF) in the mixed layer ofsediments is freshly imported from FLSM. This impliesreplacement of FSF from the sediments and its incorporationinto FLSM. On the assumption that the surface density ofFLSM is 10 mg cm<sup>-2</sup>, FSF freshly exported from sedimentsactually comprises up to 15% of FLSM. Therefore, theproperties of FLSM are strongly influenced by the processestaking place in the sediments, although FLSM by definitionis independent of sediments. |
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| ISSN: | 0078-3234 |