渤海沉积物中放射性核素分布及其对沉积环境变化的响应

为了探讨近百年来,人类活动背景下近海沉积物中放射性核素的沉积记录及其对物质输入与埋藏等沉积环境变化的响应,利用γ能谱法对渤海表层和柱状沉积物中的放射性核素238U、226Ra、232Th、210Pb、40K和137Cs进行分析.结果显示,渤海沉积物中放射性核素水平和垂直分布特征明显,铀衰变系核素238U、226Ra和210Pb不平衡,232Th和210Pb受沉积物粒度和有机碳影响显著,238U与226Ra、232Th、40K存在显著相关性.226Ra/238U、232Th/238U和40K/238U比值时空差异显著,渤海沉积物陆源输入影响由西南向东北方向延伸,受河流影响,渤海北部和南部的沉积物输入不稳定,近几十年波动显著.利用210Pb_ex和137Cs法的测年结果计算获得的渤海近百年来沉积速率在中国近海沉积速率研究背景值范围内;空间上,渤海北部、中部和南部沉积速率处于同一水平,其中北部偏高;时间上,近百年来渤海沉积速率随时间波动,整体上呈现增加趋势,尤其是1980年之后,人类活动影响下渤海沉积速率增加幅度显著,与沉积物输入的波动变化相对应.      

An analysis of naturally occurring radionuclides and <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in the soils of urban areas using gamma-ray spectrometry

This study of environmental radioactivity was carried out in the soils of an urban area. Naturally occurring gamma-emitting radionuclides and man-made ¹³⁷Cs were found in the soil profiles collected from four parks in the central Belgrade city area and the soil layer was examined every 10 cm and to a depth of 50 cm. Radioisotope activity concentrations (Bq kg^?1) in the samples of urban soil using the gamma-ray spectrometry method were in the range of 14–46 for ²³⁸U, 33–50 for ²²⁶Ra, 29–63 for ²¹⁰Pb, 1.2–3.4 for ²³⁵U, 28–50 for ²³²Th, 424–576 for ⁴⁰K and 0.7–35.8 for ¹³⁷Cs. Some of the basic physicochemical soil properties (pH, organic matter content, calcium-carbonate content, particle size distribution) were determined to investigate the impact on the vertical distribution of radionuclides. The results of this investigation showed that variations of activity concentration ratios of radionuclides that belong to the same (²³⁸U/²²⁶Ra) or different radioactive series (²³²Th/²²⁶Ra; ²³⁵U/²³⁸U), including ²¹⁰Pb/¹³⁷Cs ratios could well be explained by the properties of the soil. Alkaline pH reaction, the accumulation of organic matter in the uppermost and of carbonates in the deepest layers of urban soil had an effect on ²³⁸U/²²⁶Ra, and ²¹⁰Pb/¹³⁷Cs activity concentration ratio values, while ²³²Th/²²⁶Ra and partially ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios were associated with the particle sizes vertical distribution. A study of radionuclides in the samples of leaves of two deciduous tree species common for these parks was also conducted and ²¹⁰Pb and ⁴⁰K were found concentrated in leaves rather than other investigated radionuclides.     

高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定铀矿石样品中234U/238U、230Th/232Th和228Ra/226Ra同位素比值 

采用氢氟酸-硝酸-盐酸混合酸密闭消解含铀矿石样品,用阴离子交换树脂、阳离子交换树脂和锶特效树脂逐级分离富集铀、钍和镭。使用高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱(HR-ICPMS)测定分离纯化液中234U/238U2、30Th/232Th和228Ra/226Ra同位素。比值的测量精密度取决于比值的大小和对应核素浓度的大小。对质量浓度为10 ng/mL天然铀测量液,234U/238U的测量精密度优于1.2%;对230Th质量浓度为0.6ng/mL且230Th和232Th质量浓度接近的测量液,230Th/232Th的测量精密度为1.2%;对228Ra质量浓度为0.48 pg/mL且228Ra和226Ra质量浓度接近的测量液,228Ra/226Ra的测量精密度为4.0%。     

厦门火烧屿裸露岩石的铀放射系不平衡

用HPGeγ谱方法测定了厦门火烧屿裸露岩石天然放射性核素^40K、^228Ra、^228Th、^238U、^226Ra和^210Pb含量，对其铀系不平衡关系进行了讨论，发现钍系核素^228Ra和^228Th基本上是平衡的，而大部分样品^226Ra相对于^228U、^210Pb相对于^226Ra亏损。由此推论，水体作用下岸边岩石中^226Ra直接进入水体，可以是海水中^226Ra的一个来源；岸边岩石中^222Rn逸出后，衰变^210Pb再进入水体，可以是海水中^210Pb的一个来源。     

Determination of 210Pb, 226Ra and 137Cs in sediments

A method is described for bringing a sediment sample into solution and subsequently carrying out analysis for ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra and ¹³⁷Cs. Silica is removed from the sample by cyclic HNO₃HF treatments. ¹³⁷Cs is separated from ²¹⁰Ra in a carbonate fusion, extracted by absorption on ammonium molybdophosphate, precipitated directly with BiI₃ in presence of citric acid, and β-counted. ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁶Ra are separated out by 70–75% HNO³ precipitation. Further purification and mutual separation of the two radionuclides is achieved by solvent extraction and anion-exchange techniques. ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁶Ra are determined by β- and α- counting of their chromate precipitates, respectively, after allowing suitable ingrowth periods for their daughters. The procedural steps effectively eliminate possible interference from other natural or fall-out radioactivities.     

TIMS测定铀矿石样品中^234U/^238U、^230Th/^232Th、^228Ra/^226Ra的方法研究

研究了TIMS测定铀矿石样品中234U/238U、230Th/232Th、228Ra/226Ra的方法。建立了铀矿石密闭混酸一次溶样的方法和采用阴离子、阳离子和Sr特效树脂逐级离子交换分离纯化U、Th和Ra的流程,满足了TIMS测量要求。测定结果表明：100～1000 ng的天然铀中234U/238U,其测量精密度从静态多接收的2.34%提高到动态多接收的0.47%;对230Th与232Th丰度接近、质量为1μg左右的钍,采用三带点样技术和法拉第多接收技术测定230Th/232Th,其内精度平均值为0.0048%,外精度为0.028%;采用单带加钽发射剂,ETP跳峰测定50～100 fg镭-228稀释剂中的228Ra/226Ra,其内精度小于0.10%,外精度小于0.20%。比较TIMS和HR-ICP-MS、α能谱法测定234U/238U、230Th/232Th、228Ra/226Ra结果,三者结果相吻合。TIMS测量法样品用量少、快速、准确、精密度高,是U、Th、Ra同位素比值测定方法的又一补充。     

Migration of Some Elements and Radionuclides across aGranite-Granite Contact Zone: A Natural Analoguefor Safe Disposal of High-Level Radwastes

Elements and natural radionuclides in the contact zone of two granites with different ages would migrate from one to the other because of the difference in their chemical contents and later water-rock interactions. This migration could serve as an analogue for the near-field process of radwastes in a high-level radwaste deep geological disposal repository.In the contact between the Indosinian granite (whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron age at 214@3 Ma) and Hercynian granite (zircon U-Pb isochron age at 296@31 Ma) located in Ziyuan County, Guangxi, the O and Pb isotope characteristics and the activity ratios of 234U/238U, 230Th/238U, 230Th/234U and 226Ra/230Th show that, based on the whole-rock chemical contents, both of the two granites have maintained a relatively open chemical system in their evolution processes. However, as there is no obvious open fault, the migration of major elements, trace elements and natural U-series nu-clides takes place within only 1-2 m in the contact zone, and water-rock interaction     

Radiological monitoring and statistical approach of primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides in surface soil of Mami-water site in the Western Cameroon

The study referred to measure activity concentrations of some primordial radionuclides and anthropogenic of ¹³⁷Cs in soil samples of Mami-water in the Menoua subdivision, Dschang employing gamma-ray spectrometry-based characterized Broad Energy Germanium (BE6350) detector and a comparison of radiological and safety impact parameters on human due to primordial radioactivity in soil with some internationally approved values. In addition, statistical analysis of primordial radionuclides of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K was performed to evaluate the distribution and the interrelation of radionuclides. Samples were randomly collected from a depth of about 0 to 5 cm from the top surface layer. Each of the sampling points was considered as being overlaid with a grid and subdivided into cells. The observed radioactivity level of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the investigated soil samples was compared with some published data available in some countries including Cameroon and observed varying within some reported data of radioactivity in soil from bauxite ore deposit. ²³⁵U and ¹³⁷Cs were found in very few samples with a very low average of activity concentrations. In the majority of the samples, the observed radiological safety parameters seem to be greater than the internationally approved values. Consequently, using bricks made of soil as building materials might lead to an increase in radiation risk for the population. Multivariate statistical analysis of activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides performed showed an asymmetrical distribution with more peaked than Gaussian distribution and relatively flatter distribution of radionuclides in soil. In addition, a good positive interrelation between ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th was observed and a weak negative one observed between ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra–²³²Th.     

Geochemistry of radium in soils of the Eastern United States

The abundance and chemical/mineralogical form of ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th were determined on samples of soil and associated vegetation at 12 sites in the eastern United States. Progressive, selective chemical extraction plus size fractionation determined the abundance and radiometric equilibrium condition of these nuclides in 6 operationally defined soil fractions: exchangeable cations, organic matter, “free” Fe-oxides, sand, silt, and clay.In soils, profile-averaged ²²⁶Ra/²³⁸U activity ratios (AR) are within 10% of unity for most sites, implying little fractionation of U and Ra when the entire soil profile is considered. However, ²²⁶Ra greatly exceeds ²³⁸U activity in most surface soil (AR up to 1.8, av 1.22), in vegetation (AR up to 65, av. 2.8), in the exchangeable+organic fraction (AR up to 30, av. 13), in some soil Fe oxides (AR up to 3.5, av. 0.83) and in the C horizons of deeply weathered soils (AR up to 1.5).A major factor in Ra behavior is uptake by vegetation, which concentrates Ra>U and moves Ra from deeper soil to surface soil. Vegetation is capable of creating the observed Ra excess in typical surface soil horizons (AR up to 1.8, av. 1.22) in about 1000 a. Of the total Ra in an average A horizon, 42% occurs as exchangeable ions and in organic matter, but only 6–8% of the parent U and Th occur in these soil forms. In contrast, U is slightly enriched relative to Ra in Fe-oxides of A horizons, implying rapid chemical partition of vegetation-cycled U and Ra.In deeper horizons, transfer by vegetation and/or direct chemical partitioning of Ra into organic and exchangeable forms provides a source for unsupported ²²⁶Ra in Ra-rich organic matter, and leaves all soil minerals Ra-poor (AR=0.73). Organic matter evidently has a strong affinity for Ra.The phenomena discussed above are relevant to evaluation of indoor Rn hazard, and behavior of Ra at sites affected by radioactive waste disposal, phosphate tailings, Ra-rich brine, and uraniferous fertilizer.     

Flow of metals into the global atmosphere

Concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra, U, V, Pb, Cd and Hg have been measured in firn and ice deposited during the past three decades in accumulation zones of glaciers and also in pre-industrial glacier ice collected in Spitsbergen, Northern Norway, Alaska, Southern Norway, Alps, Himalayas, Ruwenzori, Peruvian Andes, and at King George Island in Antarctica. Except for Hg, the geographical distribution of mean concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, U and stable heavy metals in contemporary ice is not uniform, with the lowest concentrations found in Northern Norway, Alaska and Antarctica, and the highest in continental locations at equatorial and middle latitudes. We did not find evidence of changes in rate of metal deposition during the last three decades, as compared with pre-industrial period, however, our samples of pre-industrial ice might be contaminated in part by contemporary fallout migrating from the exposed surface of old parts of glaciers into the deeper ice layers. Using the data on annual injections of ¹³⁷Cs into the global atmosphere and mean global concentrations of radionuclides and heavy metals found in contemporary ice the global annual flows of ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, U,V, Pb, Cd and Hg were estimated as 6.6 kCi, 485 kCi, 12kt, 4870kt, 590 kt, 180 kt and 190 kt, respectively. These estimates are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than estimates based on primary paniculate emissions. The anthropogenic contribution is a small fraction of the flows, which are dominated by natural processes leading to enrichment of metals in airborne dust.     

U-series disequilibria in Kick’em Jenny submarine volcano lavas: A new view of time-scales of magmatism in convergent margins

We present data for U and its decay series nuclides ²³⁰Th, ²²⁶Ra, ²³¹Pa, and ²¹⁰Po for 14 lavas from Kick’em Jenny (KEJ) submarine volcano to constrain the time-scales and processes of magmatism in the Southern Lesser Antilles, the arc having the globally lowest plate convergence rate. Although these samples are thought to have been erupted in the last century, most have (²²⁶Ra)/(²¹⁰Po) within ±15% of unity. Ten out of 14 samples have significant ²²⁶Ra excesses over ²³⁰Th, with (²²⁶Ra)/(²³⁰Th) up to 2.97, while four samples are in ²²⁶Ra-²³⁰Th equilibrium within error. All KEJ samples have high (²³¹Pa)/(²³⁵U), ranging from 1.56 to 2.64 and high ²³⁸U excesses (up to 43%), providing a global end-member of high ²³⁸U and high ²³¹Pa excesses. Negative correlations between Sr, sensitive to plagioclase fractionation, and Ho/Sm, sensitive to amphibole fractionation, or K/Rb, sensitive to open system behavior, indicate that differentiation at KEJ lavas was dominated by amphibole fractionation and open-system assimilation. While (²³¹Pa)/(²³⁵U) does not correlate with differentiation indices such as Ho/Sm, (²³⁰Th)/(²³⁸U) shows a slight negative correlation, likely due to assimilation of materials with slightly higher (²³⁰Th)/(²³⁸U). Samples with ²²⁶Ra excess have higher Sr/Th and Ba/Th than those in ²²⁶Ra-²³⁰Th equilibrium, forming rough positive correlations of (²²⁶Ra)/(²³⁰Th) with Sr/Th and Ba/Th similar to those observed in many arc settings. We interpret these correlations to reflect a time-dependent magma differentiation process at shallow crustal levels and not the process of recent fluid addition at the slab-wedge interface.The high ²³¹Pa excesses require an in-growth melting process operating at low melting rates and small residual porosity; such a model will also produce significant ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th and ²²⁶Ra-²³⁰Th disequilibrium in erupted lavas, meaning that signatures of recent fluid addition from the slab are unlikely to be preserved in KEJ lavas. We instead propose that most of the ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th, ²²⁶Ra-²³⁰Th, and ²³⁵U-²³¹Pa disequilibria in erupted KEJ lavas reflect the in-growth melting process in the mantle wedge (reflecting variations in U/Th, daughter-parent ratios, fO₂, and thermal structure), followed by modification by magma differentiation at crustal depths. Such a conclusion reconciles the different temporal implications from different U-series parent-daughter pairs and relaxes the time constraint on mass transfer from slab to eruption occurring in less than a few thousand years imposed by models whereby ²²⁶Ra excess is derived from the slab.     

北部湾涠洲岛海域沉积物中物质来源解析

沉积物的物质来源问题是海洋沉积学所关注的关键问题。以北部湾涠洲岛海域的沉积柱样为例,在过剩210Pb法构建良好的年代框架基础上,利用元素、稳定同位素、放射性核素多种方法,解析沉积物中有机物和无机物的来源问题。结果显示:基于δ13C指标获得的沉积物中海源和陆源有机物的平均贡献比例分别为95.0%和5.0%;基于Al、Cu、40K、226Ra多种代用指标的端元混合模型计算沉积物中生物成因和碎屑成因的无机物平均贡献比例分别为64.1%和35.9%;而沉积物中Pb分布无法满足端元混合模型的结果,说明存在人类活动的可能影响。进一步构建沉积柱样中基于δ13C的陆源有机物和基于40K的生源无机物的贡献比例的年代变化趋势,发现该变化趋势与人类活动和气候变化（厄尔尼诺现象）密切相关。总之,利用元素、稳定同位素、放射性核素多种方法综合解析沉积物中物质来源问题,尝试探索多种物源识别的代用指标,为北部湾涠洲岛海域的生态环境管理提供一定的科学依据。     

Radionuclide partitioning across great lakes natural interfaces

Several water and surface microlayer samples from Lake St. Clair, the Niagara River, and the North Shore of Lake Ontario collected during 1983–1986 have been assayed for a variety of radionuclides. In addition, the foam accumulating in the pool just below Niagara Falls was also analyzed and found to be the most efficient aqueous phase collector of¹³⁷Cs,²¹⁰Pb, and²²⁶Ra.The order of radioisotope specific activities from highest to lowest is: Lake Ontario sediment, Niagara River suspended solids, Niagara River foam, surface microlayer water, and subsurface water. Radiological dose rates to the sediments from¹³⁷Cs,²²⁶Ra, and²²⁸Th total about 5 mGy/y.     

Radium geochemistry of ground waters in Paleozoic carbonate aquifers,midcontinent, USA

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the processes controlling the distribution and behavior of the longer-lived Ra isotopes in continuous Paleozoic carbonate aquifers of parts of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Activities of (²²⁸Ra) and (²²⁶Ra) were analyzed in fresh and saline ground waters, brines, and rocks. The fluids have a wide salinity range (200–250,000 mg l⁻¹ total dissolved solids). The (²²⁶Ra) activity ranges from 0.66–7660 dpm kg⁻¹ and correlates with salinity and other alkaline earth element (Ca, Sr, and Ba) concentrations. The range of (²²⁸Ra:²²⁶Ra) ratios in the fluids (0.06–1.48) is similar to that in the aquifer rocks (0.21–1.53). The relatively low mean fluid (²²⁸Ra:²²⁶Ra) ratio (0.30) reflects the low Th:U ratio of the predominant carbonate aquifer rock. Radium occurs mostly (≥77%) as Ra²⁺ species in the fluids. Salinity-dependent sorption–desorption processes (with log K values from 10⁰–10⁴ and negatively correlated with salinity), involving Th-enriched surface coatings on aquifer flow channels, can explain the rapid solid–fluid transfer of Ra isotopes in the system and the correlation of Ra with salinity.     

Plume-lithosphere interaction beneath Mt. Cameroon volcano, West Africa: Constraints from U-Th-Ra and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope systematics

Precise measurements of ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th-²²⁶Ra disequilibria in lavas erupted within the last 100 yr on Mt. Cameroon are presented, together with major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios, to unravel the source and processes of basaltic magmatism at intraplate tectonic settings. All samples possess ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th-²²⁶Ra disequilibria with ²³⁰Th (18-24%) and ²²⁶Ra (9-21%) excesses, and there exists a positive correlation in a (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th)-(²³⁰Th/²³⁸U) diagram. The extent of ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th-²²⁶Ra disequilibria is markedly different in lavas of individual eruption ages, although the (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) ratio is constant irrespective of eruption age. When U-series results are combined with Pb isotope ratios, negative correlations are observed in the (²³⁰Th/²³⁸U)-(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) and (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th)-(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) diagrams. Shallow magma chamber processes like magma mixing, fractional crystallization and wall rock assimilation do not account for the correlations. Crustal contamination is not the cause of the observed isotopic variations because continental crust is considered to have extremely different Pb isotope compositions and U/Th ratios. Melting of a chemically heterogeneous mantle might explain the Mt. Cameroon data, but dynamic melting under conditions of high D_U and D_U/D_Th, long magma ascent time, or disequilibrium mineral/melt partitioning, is required. The most plausible scenario to produce the geochemical characteristics of Mt. Cameroon samples is the interaction of melt derived from the asthenospheric mantle with overlying sub-continental lithospheric mantle which has elevated U/Pb (>0.75) and Pb isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb > 20.47) due to late Mesozoic metasomatism.     

Natural environmental radioactivity and estimation of radiation exposure from saline soils

The study was conducted for the investigation of amount of radioactivity in the barren and cultivated soil of Bio saline Research Station in Pakka Anna, established by Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) in 1990, 34 km. away from the city of Faisalabad, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The studies were done on an area of about 100 hectares of two types of virgin and fertilized saline soils. The technique of gamma ray spectrometry was applied using HPGe (high purity germanium) gamma ray detector and a PC based MCA. Activity concentration levels due to ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th were measured in 250 saline soil samples collected at a spacing of about 4 hectares at the depth level of 0–25 cm. with a step of 5 cm. depth. Activity concentrations ranges of the concerned radionuclides for both of the soils were as follows: ⁴⁰K, for virgin and cultivated saline soil was 500–610.2 and Bq/kg 560.2–635.6 respectively; ¹³⁷Cs, 3.57–3.63 and 1.98–5.15 Bq/kg ²³⁸U, 26.3–31.6 and 30.3–38.7 Bq/kg, and ²³²Th, 50.6–55.3 and 50.6–64.0 Bq/kg respectively. The absorbed dose rate in air lies in the region 63–73 nGyh^-1 and 68–83 nGyh^-1 for virgin and fertilized soils respectively. This indicates that this region lies in the area of higher radiation background, while comparing with the worlds’ average. The slightly higher value of dose in the fertilized farm may be due to the use of fertilizers for cultivation. Before the radiometric measurements, chemical analysis for concentration of Na, Ca and Mg was also carried out along with the measurement of electrical conductivity and pH of the soil samples.     

Naturally occurring radionuclides and their geochemical interactions at a geothermal site in the North German Basin

The activities of the most common, naturally occurring radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry in samples from reservoir rocks, geothermal fluids, and mineral precipitates at the geothermal research site Groß Schönebeck (North German Basin). Results demonstrated that the specific activity of the reservoir rock is within the range of the mean concentration in the upper earth crust of <800 Bq/kg for ⁴⁰K and <60 Bq/kg for radionuclides of the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series, respectively. The geothermal fluid showed elevated activity concentrations (up to 100 Bq/l) for ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, and ²²⁸Ra, as compared to concentrations found in natural groundwater. Their concentration in filter residues even increased up to 100 Bq/g. These residues contain predominantly two different mineral phases: a Sr-rich barite (Sr, BaSO₄) and laurionite (PbOHCl), which both precipitate upon cooling from the geothermal fluid. Thereby they presumably enrich the radionuclides of Ra (by substitution of Ba) and Pb. Analysis of these precipitates further showed an increased ²²⁶Ra/²²⁸Ra ratio from around 1–1.7 during the initial months of fluid production indicating a change in fluid composition over time which can be explained by different contributions of stimulated reservoir rock areas to the overall produced fluid.     

平面型高纯锗低能γ谱仪测定铀矿样中^235U,^238U,^226Ra及^232Th含量

本文对选用低能γ射线测定铀矿中的~(235)U、~(238)U、~(226)Ra、~(232)Th含量进行了讨论,提出了一种对样品进行自吸收校正的简单准确方法,对铀矿样中的~(235)U、~(238)U、或~(235)U/~(238)U比值测定获得了较高的分析精度和准确度。     

Reconstruction of the Peretolchin Glacier fluctuation (East Sayan) during the 20th century inferred from the bottom sediments of proglacial Lake Ekhoi

We present results of study of the bottom sediments of proglacial Lake Ekhoi, which is fed with the Peretolchin Glacier meltwater (East Sayan). The bottom deposit sequence, formed from 1885 to 2013, was investigated with a year-season time resolution, using X-ray fluorescence with synchrotron radiation (with and without scanning), the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and color processing of core photos. The depth-age model of the core was based on counting of annual laminate layers with control by ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁸U, and ²²⁶Ra chronology. Intense glacier thawing was calculated from the amount of clastic matter supplied by the glacier meltwater into the lake. The elemental composition of the bottom sediments includes three groups reflecting periods of displacement of the glacier front and the intensity of evolution of aquatic biota. The first group of elements (Ca, K, Ti, Fe, and Mn) characterizes the supply of clastic matter without serious changes in the glacier edges. The second group (Ni, Cu, Br, and U) is responsible for the intensity of evolution of aquatic biota. Finally, the third group (Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Y, and Th) can describe the intensity of displacement of the glacier front. Intensive glacier thawing has proceeded since 1920; however, the glacier retreat was insignificant till 1947. From 1947 to 1970, the glacier rapidly retreated, especially in the period 1953–1970. This was induced by steady high regional summer surface temperature in 1938–1970. The following glacier retreat was during 1980–2000, synchronously with the global temperature anomaly in the Northern Hemisphere. Since 2000, the melting has slowed.     

Suspended sediment sources and tributary effects in the lower reaches of a coastal plain stream as indicated by radionuclides, Loco Bayou, Texas

Characterizing the dynamics of fluvial sediment sources over space and time is often critical in identifying human impacts on fluvial systems. Upland interfluve and subsoil sources of suspended sediment at Loco Bayou, Texas, were distinguished using ²²⁶Ra/²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th and, ²²⁸Ra/²³²Th. Source contributions were apportioned at three stations during within-bank and flood flows. ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_xs (excess ²¹⁰Pb) were used to determine floodplain sedimentation; suspended sediment ²¹⁰Pb_xs/¹³⁷Cs data mirrored results of Ra/Th, showing dominance of subsoil sources during within-bank flows, changing to interfluve sources during flood. This trend corresponds spatially to influx of sediment from ephemeral tributaries, reflecting mobilization of stored interfluvial sediments during flood stage. Upper basin sedimentation was similar but markedly less at the lowermost station. These results indicate (1) modified ephemeral tributaries store sediment derived from sheet wash, discharging them during flood, and (2) southernmost Loco Bayou is episodically re-worked, resulting in significantly reduced local rates of sedimentation.