Description: Sequences of sapropels intercalated with hemipelagic mud are a prominent feature of most eastern Mediterranean sediments. The most recent sapropel (S 1 ), recovered in a box core from the Medina Rise in the Ionian Sea, was sampled at ultra-high resolution to evaluate the paleoceanographic conditions during its formation, to characterise its organic matter and to determine post-depositional effects of diagenesis on the geochemistry. The paleoceanographic reconstruction was based on oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of planktonic foraminifera and planktonic foraminiferal census counts to estimate paleo sea surface temperatures. Combined, these results indicate a depleted surface water salinity of about 4 psu and, thus, also surface water density, which at least weakened vertical circulation and thus, bottom water ventilation during sapropel formation. However, sapropel formation may not have been caused by depleted bottom water oxygen levels alone. Significantly increased rates of primary production during times of sapropel deposition are inferred from enhanced barium accumulation rates. The immobility and stability of barium as barite in most Mediterranean sediments makes it a valuable proxy for paleoproductivity in this case. Lipid analyses were conducted for characterisation of sapropel organic matter and estimation of possible carbon sources. Results of the extractable lipids clearly indicate a predominantly marine origin, with dinoflagellates, coccolithophorid algae, other microalgae and eubacteria as main contributing organisms. Comparison with overlying oxidised samples reveals no enrichment of terrestrial organic matter. The ratio of unsaturated long-chain-ketones is strongly affected by sapropel oxidation, so that the derived paleotemperature estimates should used with caution. Elemental concentrations were measured to recognise effects of the post-depositional oxidation front prograding into the formerly anoxic sediment. As a consequence, the present thickness of the organic-rich layer is only a fifth of its original extent. The maximum dissolution effect of diagenetic reactions cannot explain the observed depletions in carbonate content in the sapropel. Decreased carbonate production during sapropel formation is therefore concluded. Diagenetic relocation of many redox-sensitive elements has occurred. Most elements expected to be associated with organic matter or sulphide-rich sediments display maximum concentrations above or below the present sapropel layer. Similarities are observed in the geochemical behaviour of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Co; and of Mo, V, and Sb. Se exhibits a large, sharp concentration peak and is inferred to be a useful marker for the present boundary of oxic to post-oxic conditions. A model of the oxygen-flux into the sapropel interval closely resembles the observed enrichments of oxidised elements. The sapropel is thus still being oxidised.

Description: Tropical and subtropical rivers deliver large quantities of terrestrial organic carbon (OCterr) to the ocean, acting as a crucial part of the global carbon cycle, but little is known about the timescale and efficiency of its transport to and in the adjacent coastal sea. Here we examined source-specific biomarker (fatty acids, FAs) contents and isotope compositions in surface sediments in an alongshore transect southwestward from the Pearl River mouth. The C28+30, rather than other long-chain saturated FAs, were found to be the most representative for OCterr, and a plant wax mean age of 3060 ±90 yr (resulting from protracted storage) was estimated in the Pearl River watershed from the 14C age of C28+30FA in a river mouth sample. A compilation of plant wax mean ages in global (sub)tropical river systems including this study suggests that regional differences in climate and morphology may have a limited impact on plant wax mean ages in (sub)tropical regions. A four-source mixing model based on bulk OC and biomarker isotope compositions demonstrated that surface sediments in the Pearl River-derived mudbelt consist of 0.15–0.36 wt.% marine OC, 0.03–0.13 wt.% riverine primary production-derived OC, 0.18–0.49 wt.% soil OC, and 0.07–0.16 wt.% fossil OC. The mean burial efficiency of fossil and soil OC is ∼85% and 49%, respectively, indicating the refractory nature of fossil OC but a significant loss of soil OC due to remineralization during transport in the marine environment before final burial. Over longer timescales, the OCterrloss experienced during transport may, thus, to some extent reduces the capacity of terrestrial ecosystems (particularly soils) as CO2sinks.