Seasonal variations on the residence times and partitioning of short-lived radionuclides ( 234 Th, 7 Be and 210 Pb) and depositional fluxes of 7 Be and 210 Pb in Tampa Bay, Florida

M. Baskaran; P.W. Swarzenski

doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2006.06.012

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Seasonal variations on the residence times and partitioning of short-lived radionuclides ( 234 Th, 7 Be and 210 Pb) and depositional fluxes of 7 Be and 210 Pb in Tampa Bay, Florida

M. Baskaran·P.W. Swarzenski

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Abstract

Historically, Tampa Bay has been impacted heavily by a wide range of anthropogenic perturbations that may include, agricultural-, shipping-, phosphate mining/distribution-related activities, as well as a burgeoning coastal population. Due to the presence of U-rich underlying sediments, elevated activities of U- and Th-series daughter products may be naturally released into this system. This region is also known for summer thunderstorms and corresponding increases in precipitation and surface water runoff. Only limited work has been conducted on the partitioning of particle-reactive radionuclides (such as 7 Be, 210 Pb, and 234 Th) in such a dynamic coastal system. We investigated both the removal residence time and partitioning of these radionuclides between filter-retained particulate matter (≥ 0.5 μm) and the filtrate (< 0.5 μm) phase during late spring (June 2003) and mid summer (August 2003) in the water column of Tampa Bay. Our results indicate that the partitioning of 7 Be, 210 Pb, and 234 Th between filtrate and filter-retained phase is controlled foremost by enhanced bottom resuspension events during summer thunderstorms. As a consequence, no significant relationship exists between the distribution coefficients (Kd values) of these isotopes and the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Relatively faster recycling rates of atmospheric water vapor derived from the ocean results in lower atmospheric depositional fluxes of 210 Pb to the study site than predicted. The relationship between 7 Be and 210 Pb in bulk (wet + dry) deposition is compared to their respective water column activities. The residence times of particulate and dissolved 234 Th, 7 Be and 210 Pb, as well the distribution coefficients of these radionuclides, are then compared to values reported in other coastal systems.

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Marine Chemistry Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 27.6° to 28° latitude; -82.7° to -82.4° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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M. Baskaran, P.W. Swarzenski. 2007. Seasonal variations on the residence times and partitioning of short-lived radionuclides ( 234 Th, 7 Be and 210 Pb) and depositional fluxes of 7 Be and 210 Pb in Tampa Bay, Florida. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2006.06.012

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