Abstract
By studying sediment depth profiles of radioisotopes having different sources and half-lives we differentiate between steady-state accretion and mixing. The effect of 7Be and 137Cs source variability on the sediment-depth profiles of these isotopes is discussed. Mixing rates throughout any estuarine sediment deposit cannot be assumed to be constant. At sites identified as ‘mixed’ we investigate different mixing components and boundary conditions and in the upper estuary, we quantify bulk sediment movement.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Spooner, G.M. and Moore, H.B., The ecology of the Tamar estuary VI. An account of the macrofauna of the intertidal muds. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. 1939, (U.K.), 24, 283–330.
Watson, P.G. and Davey, J.T., 1988. Estuarine sediment bioturbation and metal distribution. Final Report to British Department of the Environment, Contract No. 7/7/163 (unpublished): 61 pp.
Koide, M., Souter, A. and Goldberg, E.D., Marine geochronology with Pb-210. Earth Planet Sci. Lett., 1972. 14, pp. 442–446.
Krishnaswani, S., Lah, D., Martin, J.M. and Maybeck, M., Geochronology of lake sediments. Earth Planet Sci. Lett., 1971, 11, pp. 407–414.
Robbins, T. A. and Edgington, D.H., Determination of recent sedimentation rates in Lake Michigan using Pb-210 and Cs-137. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta., 1975, 39, pp. 285–304.
Aller, R.S. and Cochran, J.K., 234Th/238U disequilibrium in near shore sediment: particle reworking and diagenetic time scales. Earth Planet Sci. Lett., 1976, 29, 37.
Boudreau, B.P., Mathematics of Tracer Mixing in Sediments: I. Spatially-dependent, diffusive mixing. Am. J. Sci. 1986, 286, pp. 161–198.
Christensen, E.R., A model for radionuclies in sediments influenced by mixing and compaction. J. Geophys. Res., 1986, 87, pp. 566–572.
Kershaw, P.J., Garbutt, P.A., Young, A.K. and Allington, D.J., Scavenging and bioturbation in the Irish Sea from measurements of 234Th/238U and 210Pb/226Ra disequilibria. In Radionuclides: A Tool for Oceanography, ed. J.C. Guary, P. Guegueniat and R.J. Pentreath, Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London and New York, 1988, pp. 131–142.
Officer, C.B., Mixing, Sedimentation rates and age dating of sediment cores. Mar. Geol., 1981, 42, pp. 261–276.
Schink, D.R. and Guinasso, N.L. Redistribution of dissolved adsorbed materials in abyssal marine sediments undergoing biological stirrling. Am. J. Sci., 1978, 278, pp. 687–702.
Krishnaswami, S., Benninger, L.K., Aler, R.C. and Vonn Damon, K.L. Atmospherically derived radionuclides as tracers of sediment mixing and accumulation in near-shore marine and lake sediments: Evidence from 7Be, 210Pb and 239,240Pu. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 47 pp. 307–318.
Duursma, E.K. and Bosch, C.J. Theoretical, experimental and field studies concerning diffusion of radio isotopes in sediments and suspended particles of the sea. Part B: Methods and experiments. Netherlands J. Sea Res. 1970, 4, pp. 395–469.
Dibb, E J. and Rice, D.L. Temporal and spatial distribution of Beryllium-7 in the sediments of Chesapeake Bay. Estuar. coastal and shelf sci. 1989, 28, pp. 395–406.
Cambray, R.S., Playford, K. and Lewis, G.N.J. Radioactive fallout in air and rain: Results to the end of 1984. Atomic Energy Research Establishment report. AERE-R 11915. Oct. 1985.
Sediment Kds and concentration factors for radionuclides in the marine environment. Technical reports series No. 247. International Atomic Energy Agency, 1985.
Bale, A.J., Morris, A.W. and Howland, R.J.N., Seasonal Sediment Movement in the Tamar estuary. Oceanol. Acta., 1985, 8, pp. 1–6.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Clifton, R.J. (1991). The Use of Radionuclides (unsupported 210Pb, 7Be and 137Cs) in Describing the Mixing Characteristics of Estuarine Sediments. In: Kershaw, P.J., Woodhead, D.S. (eds) Radionuclides in the Study of Marine Processes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3686-0_27
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3686-0_27
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-85166-707-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3686-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive