fig2

Figure 2. Effect of remineralization on organic carbon profiles in sediment (modified from^[4]), with CO₂ efflux result from^[26]. Organic carbon concentration declines with depth due to microbial remineralization, even in the absence of bioturbation (A). With bioturbation (B), remineralization is rapid and irregular and continues deeper into the core, resulting in a greater reduction in organic carbon burial. In both cases, using the concentration of organic carbon in the top 10 cm would overestimate the rate of carbon burial.