Horizontal and vertical distribution of lignin in surface sediments of the Gdańsk Basin

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify lignin transported from the River Vistula to the accumulation area in the Gdańsk Basin. Sediment samples collected along the Vistula mouth –Gdańsk Deep transect were analysed for lignin. Lignin was characterised by oxidative degradation, cupric oxide being chosen as the most suitable oxidising agent. The polar functional groups of the oxidation products were silylated and the derivatives analysed by capillary gas chromatography on fused capillary silica columns with flame ionisation detection. Lignin-derived oxidation products were quantified in the range from 3 to 20 μg g−1 dry wt. for phenolic acids and from 6 to 12 μg g−1 dry wt. for phenolic aldehydes. Differences in oxidation products contents are assigned to different lignin sources in the marine environment. The horizontal and vertical gradients of these compounds in the sediments of the Gdańsk Basin are documented. The results are discussed in terms of the origin and fate of organic matter in the Gdańsk Basin. The measured differences in quality and quantity of the identified oxidation products provide insight into diagenetic processes in the surface marine sediments.