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Alt-Epping, Ulrich; Mil-Homens, Mário; Hebbeln, Dierk; Abrantes, Fatima F; Schneider, Ralph R (2009): Distribution of surface sediment properties along the Portuguese western margin [dataset publication series]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.726597, Supplement to: Alt-Epping, U et al. (2007): Provenance of organic matter and nutrient conditions on a river- and upwelling influenced shelf: A case study from the Portuguese Margin. Marine Geology, 243(1-4), 169-179, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2007.04.016

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Abstract:
Organic matter contained in surface sediments from four regions on the western Portuguese shelf, which are influenced by coastal upwelling and fluvial input, was analysed with respect to elemental organic carbon (Corg) and nitrogen (Ntotal) content and isotopic carbon and nitrogen ratios (d13Corg, d15N). Corg/Ntotal weight ratios and d13Corg values are interpreted in terms of terrigenous or marine organic matter sources, supported by CaCO3 content. Organic matter in the shelf sediments is mainly of marine origin, with increasing terrigenous components only close to rivers and estuaries. In the northern shelf region the data indicates significant terrigenous supply by the Douro River. North of the Nazaré Canyon organic matter composition implies a mainly marine origin, with a higher terrestrial influence close to the canyon head. Organic matter composition in the central shelf region, which is dominated by the Tagus Estuary and the Tagus prodelta, reveals a change from a continental-type signature within the estuary to a more marine-type signature further to the west and south of the estuary mouth. In the southern region near Cape Sines the geochemical properties clearly reflect the marine origin of sedimentary organic matter.
Sedimentary d15N values are interpreted to reflect various degrees of assimilation of seasonally upwelled nitrate, in relation to the upwelling centres. In the estuarine environment, inputs of agriculturally influenced dissolved inorganic nitrogen are reflected in the sediments. No evidence for N2-fixation or denitrification is found. On the central shelf north of the Nazaré canyon, sedimentary d15N values are close to marine d15NO3- and thus indicate a complete NO3- assimilation and N-limitation of marine production. Light d15N values in distal sediments off the Douro River mouth and in samples south of C. Sines reflect high NO3- supply and a close proximity to the seasonal upwelling centres. Particularly in sediments form the Sines region, light d15N values in southern samples reflect stronger upwelling further south.
Related to:
Alt-Epping, Ulrich (2008): Late Quaternary sedimentation processes and sediment accumulation changes off Portugal. PhD Thesis, Elektronische Dissertationen an der Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Bremen, Germany, urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-diss000111503
Project(s):
Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM)
Coverage:
Median Latitude: 39.382546 * Median Longitude: -9.154068 * South-bound Latitude: 37.638830 * West-bound Longitude: -9.581700 * North-bound Latitude: 41.383330 * East-bound Longitude: -8.861000
Date/Time Start: 1992-12-03T16:35:00 * Date/Time End: 2003-10-15T10:24:00
Event(s):
D13882-5 * Latitude: 38.634500 * Longitude: -9.454200 * Location: Portuguese Margin * Campaign: D249 * Basis: Discovery (1962) * Method/Device: Box corer (BC)
GeoB8903-1 (819) * Latitude: 38.625000 * Longitude: -9.508333 * Date/Time: 2003-10-15T10:24:00 * Elevation: -102.0 m * Recovery: 5.56 m * Campaign: POS304 * Basis: Poseidon * Method/Device: Gravity corer (Kiel type) (SL)
PLUTUR6_BOXT01 (BOXT01) * Latitude: 38.692200 * Longitude: -9.260600 * Date/Time: 1995-11-20T11:16:00 * Elevation: -19.0 m * Location: Shelf off Tagos & Sado rivers * Campaign: PLUTUR6 * Basis: Andromeda * Method/Device: Box corer (BC)
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC-BY-3.0)
Size:
4 datasets

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Datasets listed in this publication series

  1. Alt-Epping, U; Mil-Homens, M; Hebbeln, D et al. (2008): Distribution of surface sediment properties in the Douro region. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.707260
  2. Alt-Epping, U; Mil-Homens, M; Hebbeln, D et al. (2008): Distribution of surface sediment properties in the Nazaré region. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.707262
  3. Alt-Epping, U; Mil-Homens, M; Hebbeln, D et al. (2008): Distribution of surface sediment properties in the Sines region. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.707264
  4. Alt-Epping, U; Mil-Homens, M; Hebbeln, D et al. (2008): Distribution of surface sediment properties in the Tagus region. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.707265