Due to mass wasting and focused material deposition, hadal trenches act as depocenters for organic matter. To various extent the intensified deposition enhances biological activity and carbon sequestration along the trench axis depending on the nature of the organic material being deposited.
The characteristics and quantity of organic material are also hypothesized to regulate the co-deposition of trace metals and possibly pollutants. Using advanced pyrolysis, biomarkers and stable isotope signature, I aim to highlight and understand the sources and characteristics of deposited organic material and trace metals. Furthermore, I aim to investigate the link between deposited organic material and trace metals to the distribution of meiofauna and microbial communities that inhabit the hadal sediments.
Overall, this project will provide new insight into the relationship between organic matter and trace metals, how different redox conditions influences trace metals in hadal trenches, and if hadal trenches are also a hotspot for the accumulation of trace metals.
