Advective Transport Affecting Metal and Nutrient Distributions and Interfacial Fluxes in Permeable Sediments

Our laboratory flume experiments demonstrate that advective porewater flows produce biogeochemical reaction zones in permeable sediments, leading to specific and reproducible complex patterns of Fe, Mn, and nutrients. Oxygenated water, forced into the sediment when boundary flows were deflected by protruding sediment structures, generated distinct zones of nitrification and ferric iron precipitation. This inflow was balanced by ammonium-rich porewater ascending from deeper sediment layers, thereby creating an anoxic channel where dissolved Fe2+ and Mn2+ could reach the surface. Between the zones of ferric iron precipitation and Fe2+ upwelling, a layer with increased manganese oxide and solid phase Fe(II) concentrations formed, indicating redox reaction between these components. The establishment of topography on the previously smooth sediment surface reversed the net interfacial flux of solutes. While the smooth control core was found to be a sink for metals and nutrients, the sediment with mounds acted as a source for these substances. Our experiments show that in sandy sediment with an oxidised surface layer, reduced metal species can be released to the water column by flow-topography interactions. We conclude that advective transport processes constitute an important process controlling biogeochemical zonations and fluxes in permeable sea beds.