This study investigates the accumulation of black carbon (BC) in the hadal zone, the deepest part of the ocean. Sediment samples from six hadal trenches were analyzed for BC concentration, carbon isotopes (δ¹³C and Δ¹⁴C), and total organic carbon (TOC). Results show that BC constituted 10% of trench TOC, with isotopic signatures suggesting a terrestrial C3 plant and fossil fuel origin. Fossil carbon contribution varied spatially, possibly linked to distance from landmasses, land cover, and socioeconomic development. A global BC burial rate of 1.0 ± 0.5 Tg yr⁻¹ in the hadal zone is estimated—seven times higher per unit area than the global ocean average. The hadal zone is identified as a significant, previously overlooked sink for BC in the ocean.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Feb 10, 2022
Authors
Xi Zhang, Yunping Xu, Wenjie Xiao, Meixun Zhao, Zicheng Wang, Xuchen Wang, Liping Xu, Min Luo, Xinxin Li, Jiasong Fang, Yin Fang, Yasong Wang, Kazumasa Oguri, Frank Wenzhöfer, Ashley A. Rowden, Siddhartha Mitra, Ronnie N. Glud
Tags
black carbon
hadal zone
sediment samples
carbon isotopes
total organic carbon
ocean sink
fossil fuels
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