The organic carbon flux to Arctic margin sediments: redox tracers stable isotopes and biomarkers as proxies for change

This project focuses on coastal areas and continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean. Its purpose is to determine the sources, pathways, and fate of the organic carbon deposited in the sediments. Organic carbon plays an important role for sustaining local food webs. It is also important in the global carbon cycle. Marine algae and land plants represent the main sources of the sedimentary organic carbon in coastal zones. However, climate change and associated changes in sea ice cover, river runoff, and ocean circulation are currently impacting how much and what type of organic carbon is supplied to the coastal areas of the Arctic Ocean and also what happens to the material (transport, degradation) within the marine environment. Therefore, the goal of this study is to learn more about the distributions, amounts and specific sources of organic carbon in sediments right now, at the beginning of the changes, so we can be in a better position to face future impacts of climate change.