Pb and Cs measurements in the Circum Bohai Sea coastal region: sedimentation rates and implications

Abstract

The representative ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs age-depth profiles were selected from more than 100 sites in the Circum Bohai Sea (CBS) coastal region to examine the sedimentation rates and associated environmental changes. There are three unique ²¹⁰Pb_exc distribution patterns: 1) ideal-decaying type, representing relatively constant sediment supply and quieter environmental setting; 2) wiggling type, but with approximately equivalent amplitude, representing coarser sediments and associated stronger flow current environment; and 3) episodic-event-influencing type, each representing typhoon storm- influenced depositional environment. Our results also show that there is a lower sedimentation rate (ca. 0.1 cm/a) in the coastal lowlands, a higher sedimentation rate (ca. 0.5–3 cm/a) in the intertidal flat and an intermediate rate of ca. 0.58 cm/a in the subtidal zone near the Huanghua Harbor. The interbedded silt layer occurring in the core sediment reveals lower ²¹⁰Pb activities, indicating a discontinuous sedimentation mostly due to typhoon events which dwarfs against ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs applicability. Overall, the ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs measurements of the present study provide physical insight into the evaluation of the coastal-marine ecological environment and associated management.

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