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Summary
Most of the organic matter found in the sea is degraded in the seabed. A number of
different bacteria are responsible for organic matter degradation. Through their
metabolic processes bacteria form inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds
that are thus made available for new production. They also produce a number of
waste products, such as hydrogen sulphide, that have a great impact on the marine
environment. After many years of research, our knowledge of the processes going on
in the seabed is substantial. This knowledge forms the basis of a new mathematical
model linking the complex material cycles taking place in the seabed and describing
the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between seabed and seawater. The construction
of the model is described in this report. This report was prepared as a contribution
towards developing NERI's expertise within the field of mathematical modelling.
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