I would try to calculate the amount of soil loss due to erosion first through the Universal soil loss equation (USLE). Then I would measure the level of water turbidity at the estuary. Being the soil organic matter mainly in the topsoil (horizon A) of a soil profile (and this is the one most exposed to erosion) I would predict a positive correlation between the soil erosion data and the water turbidity data taken at the estuary.

Bruno Borsari

Thank you for your answer.

Your method is very novel, especially for modern deposition, which should be very effective.

However, for the study of ancient sediments, turbidity of estuary water is not available, which may limit our further study.

In addition, when organic matter from land sources enters the water body, it may be affected by waves, tides, coastal currents, ancient topography, and even storm currents, turbidity currents and equal-depth currents. The whole process is very complicated and long.

Is there one or more factors that play a major controlling role in a particular basin?Can a functional relationship be established between the main control factors and the distribution range and percentage of organic matter?

Dear Bruno,

the contribution of terrestrial organic matter into the marine system can be estimated using a kerogen group counting (individual organic particle) through the Palynofacies analysis.

João Graciano Mendonça Filho Thank you for your answer. Indeed, the contribution of terrestrial organic matter into the marine system can be estimated using your method. However, what forces control the distribution of terrestrial organic matter in the sea?Can their distribution be quantitatively predicted?In particular, can the distribution range of Marine mudstone dominated by terrestrial organic matter be quantitatively predicted? Very complicated problem.

Bruno,

First of all, you need to know what kind of terrestrial organic matter, its level of preservation and its relationship, in quantitative terms (relative percentage), with the marine components. It is possible to detemine the controls in the distribution of terrestrial OM in the marine systems.

Hi,

Their are some forward stratigraphic models (e.g. DORS) which can simulate the transport, degradation and burial of preserved organic matter in sediments. You can have a look at IFPEN work on this topic (https://www.researchgate.net/project/DORS-Dionisos-Organic-Rich-Sediments).

Cheers,

Mathieu