Title: THE SPECTRUM OF PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER OF SHALLOW‐BOTTOM BOUNDARY WATERS OF JAMAICA1
Abstract: Samples of near‐bottom shallow waters of Jamaica were analyzed for particulate matter by direct microscopy and for total particulate organic carbon (POC) by wet ashing. Aggregates comprise less than 5% of discrete particulate material and less than 0.5% of total POC. About 88% of POC is not accounted for by discrete particulate material. Parallel analyses of exhalant water samples from marine sponges indicate that about 35% of the missing POC is available to these filter feeders and is probably colloidal in nature.