Sulfurization of dissolved organic matter in the anoxic water column of the Black Sea
Gonzalo V. Gomez‐Saez, Thorsten Dittmar, Moritz Holtappels, Anika M. Pohlabeln, Anna Lichtschlag, Bernhard Schnetger, Antje Boëtius, Jutta Niggemann
Abstract
S) abiotically react with organic matter, contributing to carbon preservation. It is not known whether such processes also contribute to preserving DOM in ocean waters. Here, we show DOM sulfurization within the sulfidic waters of the Black Sea, by combining elemental, isotopic, and molecular analyses. Dissolved organic sulfur (DOS) is formed largely in the water column and not derived from sediments or allochthonous nonmarine sources. Our findings suggest that during large-scale anoxic events, DOM may accumulate through abiotic reactions with reduced sulfur species, having long-lasting effects on global climate by enhancing organic carbon sequestration.