Organic Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen Concentrations in Surficial Sediments from Western Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York

Authors

Roman Zajac, University of New HavenFollow
Larry J. Poppe, USGS Science Center for Coastal and Marine Geology (Woods Hole, Mass.)
Ralph S. Lewis, University of Connecticut - Avery Point. Long Island Sound Resource Center
S E. Pratt
Zofia J. Mlodzinska, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
B. B. Taylor
Mary L. DiGiacomo-Cohen, U.S. Geological Survey

Author URLs

Professor Zajac's faculty profile

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1996

Subject: LCSH

Long Island Sound (N.Y. and Conn.); Sediments (Geology)

Disciplines

Biology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Marine Biology

Abstract

Total organic carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN) analyses were performed on 147 surficial sediment samples from study areas off the Norwalk Islands and Milford, Connecticut, in western Long Island Sound. The CHN data and gross lithologic descriptions of the sediments are reported herein. The concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), hydrogen, and nitrogen in these samples average 1.54, 1.40, and 0.17 weight percent, respectively. The individual CHN concentrations vary inversely with grain size, with CHN values increasing with the percent fines. Increasing nutrient inputs and decreasing circulation cause TOC and nitrogen values to generally increase westward within the Sound. C/N molar elemental ratios suggest that, except for the shoreward northwestern corner of the Norwalk Islands survey site, marine phytoplankton are probably the primary source of sedimentary organic matter in the study areas. Concentrations of the sedimentary organic matter are significantly higher in the spring than in the late summer, suggesting that these concentrations vary seasonally.

Comments

U.S. Government Document. This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards (or with the North American Stratigraphic Code).

See Also these related documents:

Map Showing the Distribution of Surficial Sediments in Fishers Island Sound, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island

Sidescan Sonar Image, Surficial Geologic Interpretation, and Bathymetry of the Long Island Sound Sea Floor off Hammonasset Beach State Park, Connecticut

Sidescan Sonar Image, Surficial Geological Interpretation, and Bathymetry of the Long Island Sea Floor off Milford, CT

The Texture of Surficial Sediments in Central Long Island Sound off Milford, Connecticut

The Texture of Surficial Sediments in Western Long Island Sound off the Norwalk Islands, Connecticut

Repository Citation

Zajac, Roman; Poppe, Larry J.; Lewis, Ralph S.; Pratt, S E.; Mlodzinska, Zofia J.; Taylor, B. B.; and DiGiacomo-Cohen, Mary L., "Organic Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen Concentrations in Surficial Sediments from Western Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York" (1996). Biology and Environmental Science Faculty Publications. 13.
https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/biology-facpubs/13

Publisher Citation

Poppe, L.J., Zajac, R., Lewis, R., Mlodzinska, Z., Pratt, S., Taylor, B.B. , and DiGiacomo-Cohen, M.L. (1996). Organic carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen concentrations in surficial sediments from western Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York. USGS Numbered Series 96-708. Denver, Colo. : U.S. Geological Survey.