Isotopic,trace element and nutrient characterization of coastal waters from Ubatuba inner shelf area,south-eastern Brazil

Stable isotopes, tritium, radium isotopes, radon, trace elements and nutrients data were collected during two sampling campaigns in the Ubatuba coastal area (south-eastern Brazil) with the aim of investigating submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the region. The isotopic composition (δD, δ¹⁸O, ³H) of submarine waters was characterised by significant variability and heavy isotope enrichment. The stable isotopes and tritium data showed good separation of groundwater and seawater groups. The contribution of groundwater in submarine waters varied from a few % to 17%. Spatial distribution of ²²²Rn activity concentration in surface seawater revealed changes between 50 and 200 Bq m⁻³ which were in opposite relationship with observed salinities. Time series measurements of ²²²Rn activity concentration in Flamengo Bay (from 1 to 5 kBq m⁻³), obtained by in situ underwater gamma-spectrometry showed a negative correlation between the ²²²Rn activity concentration and tide/salinity. This may be caused by sea level changes as tide effects induce variations of hydraulic gradients, which increase ²²²Rn concentration during lower sea level, and opposite, during high tides where the ²²²Rn activity concentration is smaller. The estimated SGD fluxes varied during 22–26 November between 8 and 40 cm d⁻¹, with an average value of 21 cm d⁻¹ (the unit is cm³/cm² per day). The radium isotopes and nutrient data showed scattered distributions with offshore distance and salinity, which implies that in a complex coast with many small bays and islands, the area has been influenced by local currents and groundwater–seawater mixing. SGD in the Ubatuba area is fed by coastal contaminated groundwater and re-circulated seawater (with small admixtures of groundwater), which claims for potential environmental concern with implications on the management of freshwater resources in the region.     

Summary of IAEA-MEL's investigation of Kara Sea radioactivity and radiological assessment

IAEA-MEL participated in five expeditions to the Kara Sea with the aim of assessing the radiological consequences of dumped radioactive wastes in the Novaya Zemlya Bays and Trough. The programme included sampling, in-situ underwater investigations, laboratory analyses of water, sediment and biota samples, the development of a marine radioactivity database, modelling and radiological assessment, the organization of intercomparison exercises and the evaluation of distribution coefficients. Radiometric investigations have shown that no radiologically significant environmental contamination has occurred. Leakages which have led to locally increased levels of radionuclides in sediment have only been observed in Stepovoy and Abrosimov Bays. Computer modelling results suggest that only radiological effects on local and regional scales may be of importance. The global radiological impact of the disposals in the Arctic Seas will be negligible.     

New K-Ar ages,chemical analyses and magnetic data of rocks from the islands of santa maria (azores), porto santo and madeira (madeira archipelago) and gran canaria (Canary Islands)

K/Ar-determinations, major and trace element chemical analyses and magnetic data are reported for rocks from Santa Maria (Azores), Madeira and Porto Santo, and Gran Canaria. Based on these data, the age of the basement of Santa Maria is believed to have formed between about 5.2. and 4.6 m.y.; the unconformably overlying pillow complex interbedded with fossiliferous calcarenites about 3.8 to 3.3 m.y. with the capping subaerial basalt being part of the same magmatic phase. The major erosional phase levelling the basement is thus approximately synchronous with the major Pliocene regression (R2) on Gran Canaria (Lietz andSchmincke, 1975), possibly indicating a widespread eustatic event. The upper part of the submarine, partly fossiliferous series of Porto Santo was dated as ca. 12 to 13 m.y., and the Quaternary age for the major basalt formation in Eastern Madeira (Watkins andAbdel Monem, 1971) is confirmed. The ages of several formations on Gran Canaria were slightly revised. Chemical differences between basement (shield) and later posterosional series on Gran Canaria are re-emphasized by the new data, while such differences are much less pronounced between the basement and younger series on Santa Maria.     

Radionuclides as tracers of water fronts in the South Indian Ocean—ANTARES IV Results

Anthropogenic ⁹⁰Sr, ^239,240Pu and ²⁴¹Am were used as tracers of water mass circulation in the Crozet Basin of the South Indian Ocean, represented by three main water fronts—Agulhas (AF), Subtropical (STF) and Subantarctic (SAF). Higher ⁹⁰Sr concentrations observed north of 43°S were due to the influence of AF and STF, which are associated with the south branch of the Subtropical gyre, which acts as a reservoir of radionuclides transported from the North to the South Indian Ocean. On the other hand, the region south of 43°S has been influenced by SAF, bringing to the Crozet Basin Antarctic waters with lower radionuclide concentrations. The ²³⁸Pu/^239,240Pu activity ratios observed in water and zooplankton samples indicated that, even 35 years after the injection of ²³⁸Pu to the Indian Ocean from the burn-up of the SNAP-9A satellite, the increased levels of ²³⁸Pu in surface water and zooplankton are still well visible. The radionuclide concentrations in seawater and their availability to zooplankton are responsible for the observed ²¹⁰Po, ^239,240Pu and ²⁴¹Am levels in zooplankton.     

40Ar/39Ar ages for the alkaline volcanism and the basement of Gorringe Bank,North Atlantic ocean

Gorringe Bank is situated on the Europe-Africa plate boundary at the eastern end of the Azores-Gibraltar fracture zone. It has two summits, Gettysburg Bank to the Southwest and Ormonde Bank to the northeast.We applied the⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar stepwise heating method to date six samples of the alkaline volcanic rocks, two gabbros from the Ormonde Bank and a dolerite from the Gettysburg Bank. The results that the alkaline volcanism lasted probably for less than 6 Ma(66-60 Ma).Although the nature of this volcanism precludes any subduction feature during its setting, the alkaline volcanism of Ormonde is probably linked to Upper Cretaceous/Eocene compressive tectonic events.The basement rocks of Gorringe Bank reveal distrubed⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra. One plagioclase and one biotite from a gabbro give evidence for a thermic event whose age is tentatively estimated at about 75 Ma, and related to a variation in the direction of the relative movement between Europe and Africa. The more probable age given by a plagioclase of another gabbro and by a dolerite (110 Ma) corresponds to tilting northeastward of the Gorringe massif.     

Anthropogenic Radionuclides in the Caspian Sea

Analysis and interpretation of the distribution of anthropogenic radionuclides ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, and ^239,240Pu in the Caspian Sea water are presented. These radionuclides are shown to be of environmental importance and to be useful for studying water mass dynamics.