engleski

Origin of sedimentary organic matter in the surficial sediment of the Bay of Makirina (Croatia)

The stable isotopes of carbon were used to investigate the source of sedimentary organic matter in the sediment (peloid mud) from Makirina Bay in the central Adriatic (Croatia). The stable carbon isotope composition (ä13C) of sedimentary organic matter in the surficial sediment, as well as of aquatic plants from the Bay of Makirina and of terrestrial plants from the coastal area was determined. Using the differences in ä13C values between marine and terrestrial organic matter and considering that the phytoplankton is relatively unimportant, the origin of sedimentary organic matter in surficial sediment was estimated. For determination of marine and terrestrial contributions to sedimentary organic matter a simple mixing ranges from 4-69%. The terrigenous fraction is much higher (30-69%) in the southern and coastal part of Makirina Bay and indicates the prevailing influence of terrestrial organic matter. In the central part of the bay aquatic plants are probably of great importance and the percentage of terrigenous fraction is much lower (4-30%).

Sediment; carbon; isotope composition; mixing model

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