We wish to thank ODP for allowing us to obtain samples on Leg 164, and particularly the technical staff for their assistance with obtaining the samples. We are grateful to Alistair Lawson, Ian Mather, Sam Bradbrook, and Steve Barnes for their contribution during initial sediment handling in the laboratory. We would like to thank F.S. Colwell and C.K. Paull for their constructive comments on the manuscript. This work was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (UK) grant GST/02/1239.