Abstract:

The Deepwater Horizon blowout released 5.0x1011g C from gaseous hydrocarbons and up to 6.0x1011g C from oil into the water column. Another carbon source, adding daily to the water column, leaks from the natural hydrocarbon seeps that pepper the seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico. How much of this carbon from the DWH and natural seeps is assimilated into particulate organic carbon (POC) in the water column? We filtered seawater collected in 2010, 2012 and 2013 from seep and non-seep sites, collecting POC on 0.7µm glass microfiber filters and analyzing the POC for stable and radiocarbon isotopes.

Suggested Citation:

Jeffrey Chanton. 2016. Analysis of particulate organic carbon (POC) in the water column for stable and radiocarbon isotopes. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7FX77C7

Publications:

Rogers, K. L., Bosman, S. H., Weber, S., Magen, C., Montoya, J. P., & Chanton, J. P. (2019). Sources of carbon to suspended particulate organic matter in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Elem Sci Anth, 7(1), 51. doi:10.1525/elementa.389

Purpose:

Suspended POC is an important intermediate between dissolved organic carbon and sinking particulate organic carbon. The purpose of this data set is to characterize the isotopic composition of this material.

Data Parameters and Units:

Cruise=ship; Date=date collected; Station=location; latitude; longitude; Depth (m)=meter; filter size (um)=micrometer; δ13C‰ = units of 13C; Δ14C‰=units of 14C

Methods:

Percent carbon and d13C were obtained on an elemental analyzer coupled to an Isotope Ratio Mass spectrometer. Radiocarbon was run at the AMS facility at the University of Georgia.

Instruments:

Carlo Erba CHN analyzer. Thermo Finnigan IRMS.

Individual Files: