Sulfur, iron-, and calcium cycling associated with natural electric currents running through marine sediment

摘要: Natural electric currents running through marine sediments have recently been found to couple oxygen reduction at the surface sulfide oxidation in deeper anoxic layers. Here we show that such spatial separation of and processes causes non-conventional sulfur, iron, calcium mobilization reallocation. Reduced sediment was incubated with overlying oxic water vertical distribution solutes solids analyzed after 45–150 days. As much as 44% consumption driven by currents, electrogenic sulfate concurrent proton generation resulted significant dissolution iron sulfides carbonates layers sediment. Most mobilized diffused zone where it formed oxidized minerals. Calcium precipitated magnesium-calcite. The coupling biogeochemical distant regions thus generates unique chemical conditions whereby key elements are relocated, probably along trace nutrients. We suggest electrically coupled biogeochemistry flourishes transient depletion, leaving distinct signatures events geological record.