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Factors that influence sulfide production in an estuarine environment

Core samples from five sites in the Yaquina and Coos Estuary
were assayed for vertical distribution of total sulfides, percent
volatile solids, redox potential, particle size, total aerobic and
sulfate reducing bacteria. Higher total sulfide levels were found at
sites having more than four percent volatile solids, redox potential
below -100 millivolt, and with more than 80 percent fine particles.
Free sulfides and dissolved oxygen were found simultaneously
in the water one cm. above the sediment at site 5 during monitoring.
One mg./l or higher levels of free sulfides were found sometimes
even at supersaturated levels of dissolved oxygen. Free sulfides
were found at site 3 only when the surface was disturbed and not at
all at site 1.
Extract experiments were run to determine organic carbon
utilization and sulfide production. Aerobically 61 to 73 percent of the
total carbon was utilized. Anaerobically 41 to 74 percent at 25��C and
33 to 55 percent at 15��C was utilized. There was a higher percentage of utilization when sulfides were not produced. Organic carbon levels above 350 mg./l and sulfate levels above 800 mg./l were needed to produce sulfides. Only samples where the Eh dropped below 0 were any significant amounts of sulfides produced. High levels of sulfides appear to delay, but not to reduce the rate of sulfide production. / Graduation date: 1974

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/35273
Date10 September 1973
CreatorsPeterson, Paul Edward
ContributorsAnderson, Arthur W.
Source SetsOregon State University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis/Dissertation
RelationLower Columbia Explorer, Oregon Explorer

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