This Study compares rates of decomposition of phytoplanktonic lipids in oxic and anoxic sediments. The importance of various factors which control the preservation of organic matter in marine sediments is at present controversial, with both rain rate of organic carbon to the sea floor and variable rates of competing issues. This study will specifically determine the rates of lipid decomposition in oxic and anoxic sediments. Laboratory incubations using 14C-labelled algae and labelled individual lipids will be conducted with the objective of estimating degradation rates for aerobic and anaerobic decomposition processes. The decomposition rates obtained from the laboratory experiments will then be compared with rates calculated from modelling of lipid distributions in coastal sediments. The results will lead to a better understanding of the importance of oxic vs anoxic environments in the degradation or preservation of organic matter in sediments.
