Geochemical investigation of ODP Leg 113 sites

DOC concentration varied between 1.82 and 13.6 mg C/L which is one to two orders of magnitude less than previously reported for hemipelagic sediments. It is argued that this difference is related to differences in the intensity of degradation of organic matter.

As a first approximation it is found that in reducing sediments, the level of DOC is proportional to the intensity of sulfate reduction. It is suggested that DOC is formed by different mechanisms in oxic and reducing environments.