Radium 228 and Radium 226 in surface water of the Kara Sea and Laptev Sea

The surface water in the Transpolar Drift in the Arctic Ocean has a strong signature of 228Ra. In an earlier study of 228Ra in the open Arctic we showed that the major 228Ra source had to be in the Siberian shelf seas, but only a single shelf station was published so far. Here we investigate the sources of this signal on the Siberian shelves by measurements of 228Ra and 226Ra in surface waters of the Kara and Laptev Sea, including the Ob, Yenisey and Lena estuaries. In the Ob and Lena rivers we found an indication for a very strong and unexpected removal of both isotopes in the early stage of estuarine mixing, presumably related to flocculation of organic-rich material. Whereas 226Ra behaves conservatively on the shelf, the distribution of 228Ra is governed by large inputs on the shelves, although sources are highly variable. In the Kara Sea the maximum activity was found in the Baydaratskaya Bay, where tidal resonance and low freshwater supply favour 228Ra accumulation. The Laptev Sea is a stronger source for 228Ra than the Kara Sea. Since a large part of Kara Sea water flows through the Laptev Sea, the 228Ra signal in the Transpolar Drift can be described as originating on the Laptev shelf. The combined freshwater inputs from the Eurasian shelves thus produce a common radium signature with a 228Ra/226Ra activity ratio of 4.0 at 20% river water. The radium signals of the individual Siberian rivers and shelves cannot be separated, but their signal is significantly different from the signal produced on the Canadian shelf (Smith et al., in press). In this respect, the radium tracers add to the information given by Barium. Moreover, with the 5.8 year half-life of 228Ra, they have the potential to serve as a tracer for the age of a water mass since its contact with the shelves.

Radionuclide measurements in sediments and water of the Kara Sea

In this report, the results of a 2000-2001 radiogeoecological investigation are presented for the region of the Ob and Yenisei estuaries and the adjacent Kara Sea. In order to study the behaviour and migration of Cs, Sr and Pu radionuclides in a river - sea system experimental research on the distribution of these radionuclides in the water column and surface sediments has been carried out. In addition, the role of suspended and dissolved organic matter on the behaviour of radionuclides in water solutions has been studied. The 137Cs and 239,240Pu concentrations in the upper 0-2cm layer of the sediments varied between 1,4 and 50,0 Bq/kg, with a mean of 12,4 Bq/kg, and between 0,065-1,96 Bq/kg, with a mean of 0,62 Bq/kg, respectively. There is a direct relationship of a specific radioactivity of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in the sediments and the content of clay fraction. The 137Cs, 90Sr and 239,240Pu concentrations in the water samples varied between 0,4 and 7,0 Bq/m**3 (mean of 3,6 Bq/m**3), 0,4 and 9,7 Bq/m**3 (mean of 3,3 Bq/m**3), and 0,01-0,3 Bq/m**3 (mean of 0,02 Bq/m**3), respectively. In the water samples the concentration of the water-soluble species l37Cs increases with increasing salinity, whereas the concentration of the 90Sr-radionuclide decreases with increasing salinity. This may be related to the physico-chemical behaviour of these radionuclides in water solutions and the influence of several sources on radioactive pollution in this basin. In sea water the suspended matter may absorb up to 10% 137Cs, 90Sr and 239,240Pu, in river water samples these values may reach 15-30%. More than 50% 90Sr and 239,240Pu is able to form complexes with dissolved organic matter. This effect is smaller in saline water. The comparison of the data of 137Cs radioactivity in the surface sediments in 1995 and 2000-2001 showed that the level of radioactivity has decreased.

Distribution of surface sediment properties along the Portuguese western margin

Organic matter contained in surface sediments from four regions on the western Portuguese shelf, which are influenced by coastal upwelling and fluvial input, was analysed with respect to elemental organic carbon (Corg) and nitrogen (Ntotal) content and isotopic carbon and nitrogen ratios (d13Corg, d15N). Corg/Ntotal weight ratios and d13Corg values are interpreted in terms of terrigenous or marine organic matter sources, supported by CaCO3 content. Organic matter in the shelf sediments is mainly of marine origin, with increasing terrigenous components only close to rivers and estuaries. In the northern shelf region the data indicates significant terrigenous supply by the Douro River. North of the Nazaré Canyon organic matter composition implies a mainly marine origin, with a higher terrestrial influence close to the canyon head. Organic matter composition in the central shelf region, which is dominated by the Tagus Estuary and the Tagus prodelta, reveals a change from a continental-type signature within the estuary to a more marine-type signature further to the west and south of the estuary mouth. In the southern region near Cape Sines the geochemical properties clearly reflect the marine origin of sedimentary organic matter. Sedimentary d15N values are interpreted to reflect various degrees of assimilation of seasonally upwelled nitrate, in relation to the upwelling centres. In the estuarine environment, inputs of agriculturally influenced dissolved inorganic nitrogen are reflected in the sediments. No evidence for N2-fixation or denitrification is found. On the central shelf north of the Nazaré canyon, sedimentary d15N values are close to marine d15NO3- and thus indicate a complete NO3- assimilation and N-limitation of marine production. Light d15N values in distal sediments off the Douro River mouth and in samples south of C. Sines reflect high NO3- supply and a close proximity to the seasonal upwelling centres. Particularly in sediments form the Sines region, light d15N values in southern samples reflect stronger upwelling further south.