Erosion of particulate inorganic and organic matter in the Gulf of Lion

Critical shear stress of erosion and erosion rate of particulate inorganic and organic matter were measured in a flume at three muddy stations. Critical shear stress ranged between 0.022 and 0.038 N m−2. At the deepest site, annual erosion of particulate organic nitrogen and phosphorus could exceed net deposition fluxes, showing the importance of erosion processes. Erosion may modify total system mineralisation rates by introducing sedimentary particulate organic matter into the water column and thus this process must be taken into account in studies of biogeochemical cycles. To cite this article: E. Schaaff et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 1071–1077.