Distribution of artificial radionuclides in deep sediments of the Mediterranean Sea

García-Orellana, Jordi; Pates, Jacqueline M.; Masqué, Pere; Bruach, J.M.; Sánchez-Cabeza, Joan-Albert

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.09.018

Cited by 49 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Results point to the presence of anomalously high concentrations of plutonium, as only a few samples show 239+240 Pu activity concentrations similar to the reported ones in margin sediments from the western Mediterranean, which on average are lower than 1.5 mBq/g [17][18][19]. The same conclusion can be drawn from the 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atomic ratios, displayed as well in Table 1, as they show significant deviations from the expected one for global fallout.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

Characterisation of the plutonium isotopic composition of a sediment core from Palomares, Spain, by low-energy AMS and alpha-spectrometry

Chamizo

Jiménez-Ramos

Enamorado

et al. 2010

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B:

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

Characterisation of the plutonium isotopic composition of a sediment core from Palomares, Spain, by low-energy AMS and alpha-spectrometry

Chamizo

Jiménez-Ramos

Enamorado

et al. 2010

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B:

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“…Mean sedimentation rates in deep EMS basins are low and generally do not exceed 5 cm kyr −1 , mainly due to its oligotrophic character and the minor influence from riverine inputs (Garcia-Orellana et al, 2009). Thus, aeolian transport is of major importance for the delivery of land-derived natural and anthropogenic material to the open marine sites of the EMS.…”

Section: Oceanographic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence, sources and transport pathways of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons in deep-sea sediments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2013

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Abstract. Surface sediments collected from deep basins (1018-4087 m depth) of the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Ionian Sea, southern Aegean Sea and northwestern Levantine Sea) were analyzed for aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as tracers of natural and anthropogenic inputs. Concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons, n-alkanes and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of aliphatic hydrocarbons varied significantly, ranging from 1.34 to 49.2 µg g −1 , 145 to 4810 ng g −1 and 0.73 to 36.7 µg g −1 , respectively, while concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranged between 11.6 and 223 ng g −1 . Molecular profiles of determined hydrocarbons reflect a mixed contribution from both natural and anthropogenic sources in deep-sea sediments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, i.e., terrestrial plant waxes, degraded petroleum products, unburned fossil fuels and combustion of grass, wood and coal. Hydrocarbon mixtures display significant variability amongst sub-regions, reflecting differences in the relative importance of inputs from various sources and phase associations/transport pathways of individual hydrocarbons that impact on their overall distribution and fate. Hydrocarbon concentrations correlated significantly with the organic carbon content of sediments, indicating that the latter exerts an important control on their transport and ultimate accumulation in deep basins. Additionally, water masses' circulation characteristics also seem to influence the regional features and distribution patterns of hydrocarbons. Our findings highlight the role of deep basins/canyons as repositories of both natural and anthropogenic chemical species.

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“…Sediment studies usually include Pu isotopes in combination with other radionuclides or stable isotopes (e.g. Krishnaswami et al, 1980;Santschi et al, 1980;Benninger and Krishnaswami, 1981;Cochran, 1985;Smith et al, 1986;Carpenter et al, 1987;Lapicque et al, 1987;Buffoni et al, 1992;Huh et al, 1997;Huh and Su, 1999;Smith et al, 2000b;Gascó et al, 2002;Su and Huh, 2002;Moon et al, 2003;Garcia-Orellana et al, 2009). Knowledge of particle mixing rates in sediments is essential for deconvoluting different depth-dependent sediment processes that could influence the distribution of chemical pollutants.…”

Section: Sediment Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plutonium isotopes as tracers for ocean processes: A review

Lindahl

Lee

Worsfold

et al. 2010

Marine Environmental Research

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Since the first nuclear weapons tests in the 1940s, pulsed inputs of plutonium isotopes have served as excellent tracers for understanding sources, pathways, dynamics and the fate of pollutants and particles in the marine environment. Due to the well-defined spatial and temporal inputs of Pu, the long half- Pu and its unique chemical properties, Pu is a potential tracer for various physical and biogeochemical ocean processes, including circulation, sedimentation and biological productivity, and hence a means of assessing the impacts of global climate change. Due to the source dependency of the Pu isotopic signature, plutonium isotopes are beginning to be exploited as tools for the evaluation and improvement of regional and global ocean models that will enhance understanding of past and future changes in the oceans. This paper addresses the major sources of Pu and the physical and biogeochemical behaviour in the marine environment. Finally, the use of Pu isotopes as tracers for various oceanic processes (e.g. water mass transport, particle export, and sedimentation) is considered.

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Distribution of artificial radionuclides in deep sediments of the Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 49 publications

References 49 publications

Characterisation of the plutonium isotopic composition of a sediment core from Palomares, Spain, by low-energy AMS and alpha-spectrometry

Characterisation of the plutonium isotopic composition of a sediment core from Palomares, Spain, by low-energy AMS and alpha-spectrometry

Occurrence, sources and transport pathways of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons in deep-sea sediments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Plutonium isotopes as tracers for ocean processes: A review

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