At Site 1116, the shipboard organic geochemistry consisted of determinations of TOC, inorganic carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, and total sulfur in sediments, in addition to the routine hydrocarbon gas safety monitoring procedure.
Headspace methane concentrations for Site 1116 remained low (<10 ppmv) throughout the hole (Table T6). The only other hydrocarbon that was detected was n-pentane. This compound was found at an extremely unusual, high concentration (459 ppmv) at 35.2 mbsf (Table T6). Because this concentration does not coincide with an increase in any other hydrocarbons, it is likely an artifact.
The CaCO3 contents of sediments at Site 1116 were low, ranging between 1.93 and 4.84 wt% (Table T7). Organic carbon and sulfur concentrations were both low, averaging 0.57 and 0.30 wt%, respectively (Table T7). The available C/N ratios show that the organic carbon has a probable terrigenous source; however, a marine source (C/N = 9) is indicated at 17.02 mbsf (Table T7).