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Sediment Traps
Sediment trapping has proven to be a valuable approach in studying the vertical flux of particulate matter in the oceans. Over the last 15 years we have been involved with a number of sediment trap studies in following regions: Panama Basin, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of California, California Borderlands and the Cariaco Basin. Our primary goal has been to relate seasonal variability in the flux of plankton to the changes in upper ocean conditions, for the purpose of using the observed relationships to better interpret the fossil plankton record. Through these studies we have gained important insights into the magnitude and seasonal variability of paritculate flux, and the coupling between biological processes and sediment fluxes.
Below is a schematic of one of our typical subsurface Sediment Trap moorings. More detail can be found by following the links.
Anatomy of a Sediment Trap Mooring
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