Chunyang ZHOU

Project title:

Study of biogeochemical processes in sediment microniches using novel in situ techniques

Project summary:

Research project: understanding small-scale (mm to sub-mm) mobilization processes of trace elements in marine sediments

Understanding mobilization processes of trace elements in marine sediments is crucial to have a clear idea of their biogeochemical cycling in marine ecosystems. Previous studies have shown that mobilization processes may occur at discrete, small-scale locations at various depths within surface sediments, contributing significantly to organic matter turnover and trace element cycling. Our research aims to reveal small-scale mobilization mechanisms of trace elements in surface sediments by using Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) technique coupled with different chemical imaging methods (e.g., Laser Ablation-ICP-MS, Computer Imaging Densitometry). Our preliminary results have demonstrated that wrong conclusionsmay be drawn according to the observations from 1-dimensional, large-scale profiles, while 2-dimensional, small-scale images unveil more complicated mobilization mechanisms of trace elements in sediments.

Thesis advisor: Prof. Yue GAO

Field sites:

Belgian Coastal Zone (North Sea, Belgium)

Keywords: trace metals, laser ablation-ICP-MS, DGT, O2/pH optode, dissolved sulfide, microniches