POC fluxes measured by sediment traps and 234Th:238U disequilibrium in Saanich Inlet, British Columbia

The very high scavenging intensity at our study site results in large 234Th deficits and low dissolved 234Th activities. This limits lateral 234Th transport and the system largely maintains steady state. Our results indicate that the sinking flux of POC could be reasonably estimated by simply measuring 234Th and organic carbon in suspended particles at our study site. Such a relatively simple method may be applicable to other coastal settings with similar high scavenging intensity and limited exchange with the open ocean and would facilitate the implementation of sampling programs to monitor carbon cycling or contaminants dispersion in this type of environment.