Biogeochemical characterization of particulate organic matter from a coastal hydrothermal vent zone in the Aegean Sea

摘要: Abstract Three particle interceptor traps were moored from June to September 1996 along the SE coast of Milos Island (Aegean Sea), in an area known for its extensive seabed geothermal activity. The settling particles collected differed between sites not only quantity but also their geochemical composition. In directly influenced by warm water vents, vertical flux particulate material was almost one order magnitude higher than that observed at reference 6.5 km away with a contribution biogenic former. neutral lipid fractions exhibited significant zooplankton biomarker signature (e.g. cholesterol and wax esters), followed those microalgal terrigenous remains. biogeochemical cycle sterols included formation steroidal ketones, thiols stanols, latter two particularly associated venting Moreover, aliphatic aromatic hydrocarbons reflected locally enhanced maturity organic matter. Although part may have been exported vent waters, fluxes vicinity hydrothermal plumes are mainly result assemblage which, turn, contribute significantly sedimentation, through fast sinking faecal pellets, petrogenic possibly generated vents.