Abstract
Some previous studies showed strong correlation between the organic content and water content of bottom sediments. However, few studies compared sediment data of multiple water areas and the relationship between the organic content and water content is only empirical. In this study, we analyzed bottom sediment data of several eutrophic coastal and brackish water areas and examined the relationship between them. As a result of the analysis, the relationship between TOC and water content in multiple water areas showed statistically similar correlation, except a few samples collected nearby river mouths. In addition, we made laboratory experiments with sediment samples whose organic matter were previously decomposed by hydrogen peroxide solution. The treated samples were redeposited gravitationally in a test tube and measured the water content of the deposited sediment. The result of experiments revealed that the water content of decomposed samples was significally lower than that of the original samples. These results indicates that organic matter originated from the primary production strongly controls the sedimentation process and thus affects the water content of the surface bottom sediments.
