Interactive comment on “Microbial methanogenesis in the sulfate-reducing zone of surface sediments traversing the Peruvian margin” by J. Maltby et al

We would like to thank all reviewers for their critical comments, which we think helped to improve the quality and clarity of this manuscript. We hope our responses and adaptations are adequate to accept this manuscript for publication in Biogeosciences. Please find our detailed responses below. Anonymous Referee #2 Received and published: 19 October 2015 The manuscript of Maltby et al. describes rates of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were measured in various radiotracer incubations. The study highlights the role of methanogenesis in near-surface sediments (here termed shallow methanogenesis) in overall carbon mineralization. Methodologically the study