Decomposition Rates of Particulate and Dissolved Organic Matters in Seawater of Osaka Bay, Japan

Key Points

• The average degradation rate of particulate organic carbon is 0.12 day-1, with a degradation time of 8.5 days.
• In comparison, dissolved organic carbon shows slower degradation, averaging 0.031 day-1 over a 32-day timeline.
• An experimental biodegradation study was conducted over 100 days to assess the breakdown of POC and DOC.
• Significant proportions of dissolved organic carbon, about 48%, are resistant to degradation, highlighting concerns for marine science.