Summary
Benthic nepheloid layers (BNLs) are persistent layers of enhanced particle concentrations near the seafloor. Intense BNLs of a few hundred meters thick have been observed globally and may significantly influence the cycling and overall budget of sediment-sourced trace elements and isotopes (TEIs). BNLs can act as elemental sources or sinks, potentially enhancing or suppressing elemental fluxes across the sediment-water interface. However, sampling of BNLs has been limited and very few chemical measurements have been made. In conjunction with a previously-funded research expedition in the Labra
