Project CARIACO

MSRL Goals
Within the overall framework of the CARIACO program (discussed on the objectives page), we have a set of specific goals or objectives associated with the sediment trapping component of the project. These include:

• To determine how seasonal to interannual changes in upper ocean conditions affect particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes in Cariaco Basin. Does the flux of carbon at depth in this basin reflect both short and long term changes in physical forcing?
• To identify the sources of POC in Cariaco Basin. Specifically, is there significant input of terrestrial carbon to the basin and is chemosynthesis an important contributor to water column POC fluxes below the oxic/anoxic interface?
• To quantify water column regeneration rates and sea floor preservation rates of organic carbon in this anoxic environment. Does the degradation rate of organic carbon vary between aerobic and anaerobic environments?
• To determine how seasonally varying changes in the composition of the total particulate flux contributes to the formation of sediment laminae on the anoxic sea floor.

In order to address these objectives, we will utilize other “core” measurements being made as part of the overall time series study. Specifically, the hydrographic  (F. Muller-Karger, USF) and primary productivity measurements (R. Varella, EDIMAR) will be critical to our attempt to understand the factors controlling carbon fluxes in Cariaco Basin. Likewise, the results of our sediment trapping provides needed constraints for modeling the overall carbon system in the basin. 

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