Dissolved Mn(III) is a key redox intermediate in sediments of a seasonally euxinic coastal basin
<p>Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient and key redox intermediate in marine systems. The role of organically complexed dissolved Mn(III) (dMn(III)-L) as an electron acceptor and donor in marine environments is still incompletely understood. Here, we use geochemical depth profiles of s...
Saved in:
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2025-02-01
|
Series: | Biogeosciences |
Online Access: | https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/22/751/2025/bg-22-751-2025.pdf |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | <p>Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient and key redox intermediate in marine systems. The role of organically complexed dissolved Mn(III) (dMn(III)-L) as an electron acceptor and donor in marine environments is still incompletely understood. Here, we use geochemical depth profiles of solutes and solids for the sediment and overlying waters and a reactive transport model to reconstruct the seasonality in sedimentary dMn(III)-L dynamics and benthic Mn release in a eutrophic, seasonally euxinic coastal basin (Lake Grevelingen, the Netherlands). Our model results suggest that dMn(III)-L is a major component of the dissolved Mn pool throughout the year. According to the model, there are three major sources of pore water dMn(III)-L when oxygen (O<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>) is present in the bottom water, namely reduction of Mn oxides coupled to the oxidation of Fe(II), reduction of Mn oxides coupled to organic matter degradation, and oxidation of Mn(II) with O<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>. Removal of pore water dMn(III)-L is inferred to primarily take place through reduction by dissolved Fe(II). When bottom waters are euxinic in summer, model-calculated rates of sedimentary Mn cycling decrease strongly because of a lower supply of Mn oxides. The dMn(III)-L transformations in summer mostly involve reactions with Fe(II) and organic matter. Modeled benthic release of Mn mainly occurs as dMn(III)-L when bottom waters are oxic, as Mn(II) upon initial bottom-water euxinia and as both Mn(II) and dMn(III)-L when the euxinia becomes persistent. Our model findings highlight strong interactions between the sedimentary Fe and Mn cycles. Dissolved Mn(III)-L is a relatively stable and mobile Mn species, compared to Mn(II), and is therefore more easily transported laterally throughout the coastal zone and possibly also to open marine waters.</p> |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |