1. Eddy correlation – basic principles
Water column
Sediment surface
O2 uptake
Illustration shows: bare sediment that takes up O2 (no photosynthesis).
Source: Peter Berg

2. Eddy correlation – basic principles
[O2] > [O2]mean
Sediment surface
Water column
[O2] < [O2]mean
O2 is transported down through the water column by turbulent motions. A clear correlation exist between the vertical velocity and the O2 concentration in a typical chaotic complex turbulent flow over a sediment surface.
In most cases, a higher (than average) O2 concentration is found when velocity points down, and a lower (than average) O2 concentration when velocity points up. This pattern gives over time a net O2 transport down towards sediment surface.
Source: Peter Berg