http://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0052769
department or school: Science, Faculty of
department or school: Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Adams, Rupert Spencer
issued: 2009-10-19T21:57:27Z
issued: 2003
related degree: Master of Science - MSc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: Howe Sound, a glacial fjord situated between Vancouver and Squamish, British Columbia, is subject to a semi-restricted, estuarine type flow regime that results in easily quantifiable sources for the organic matter present in the sediments. Therefore, it was chosen as an ideal location to examine the effects of sediment surface area on the preservation of organic matter and industrial pollutants in the paralic environment. A variety of surface sediment and core samples were retrieved and analyzed for organic content and surface area, as well as other sediment biomarkers and organic pollutant concentration. The role of sediment surface area as a key factor in the preservation of organic matter in marine sediments was then assessed both on historical and geological time-scales, in terms of its potential for generating petroleum source rocks. Organic carbon content of sediments within the study area ranges from 0.1-11 wt.%; a carbon/total nitrogen ratio (C[sub org]/N) of 6-24 in conjunction with other sediment parameters such as δ¹³ C[sub org] and electron microscopy, confirmed a dominant terrestrial signature for the organic fraction of the sediments collected. Sediment surface area varies between 0.5-22 m²/g depending on sample type, location, depth and grain size distribution. Good correlation between surface area and organic carbon in bulk sediments and size fractionated sediments suggests that organic matter is adsorbed to mineral grain surfaces. Correlation between dioxins, furans and surface area varies from r² = 0.23-0.54 in bulk samples, up to r²=0.99 in size fractionated sediments, suggesting that organochlorine pollutant concentration is also linked to sediment surface area. Mineralogy and elemental composition did not appear to correlate with TOC concentration, but additional factors such as molecular chlorination and sample depth did appear to influence the correlation between organochlorine pollutants and surface area. However, in all cases sediment surfac…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/14057
extent: 7106585 bytes
format: application/pdf
note: AN EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF SEDIMENT SURFACE AREA IN CONTROLLING THE PRESERVATION OF ORGANIC MATTER IN A PARALIC ENVIRONMENT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PETROLEUM SOURCE ROCK FORMATION AND CONTAMINANT ADSORPTION, HOWE SOUND, BRITISH COLUMBIA by Rupert Spencer Adams B.Sc, The Royal School of Mines, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London University, 1997 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences) We accept this thesis as conforming to the requiredjstandard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA April 2003 © Rupert Spencer Adams, 2003 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or b y his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada A b s t r a c t Howe Sound, a glacial fjord situated between Vancouver and Squamish, British Columbia, is subject to a semi-restricted, estuarine type flow regime that results in easily quantifiable sources for the organic matter present in the sediments. Therefore, it was chosen as an ideal location to examine the effects of sediment surface area on the preservation of organic matter and industrial pollutants in the paralic environment. A variety of surface sediment and core samples were retrieved and analyzed for organic content and surface area, as well as other sediment biomarkers and organic pollutant concentration. The role of sediment surface area as a key factor in the preservation of organic matter in marine sediments …
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2003-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0052769
language: eng
degree discipline: Oceanography
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
title: An examination of the role of sediment surface area in controlling the preservation of organic matter in a paralic environment and its influence on petroleum source rock formation and contaminant adsorption, Howe Sound, British Columbia
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/14057