How reliable is the210Pb dating method? Old and new results from Switzerland |
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| Authors: | H R von Gunten R N Moser |
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| Institution: | (1) Laboratorium für Radiochemie, Universität Bern, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland;(2) Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland |
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| Abstract: | We present a historical overview of applications of210Pb dating in Switzerland with a special emphasis on the work performed at the University of Bern. It is demonstrated that the average specific activity of210Pb in the lower atmosphere is very constant and does not show seasonal variations. We then concentrate on new results from Lobsigensee, a very small lake, and on published and new data from Lake Zurich. Several210Pb profiles from these lakes show obvious disturbances and a disagreement of the resulting sedimentation rate when compared to that for the 23 years defined by137Cs peaks of 1986 (Chernobyl) and 1963 (bomb fallout).A mean sedimentation rate of about 0.14 g cm–2 y–1 is found in the oxic and suboxic center part of Lake Zurich. In the oxic locations, the210Pb flux to the sediments was close to the atmospheric input of about 1/60 Bq cm–2 y–1. In other parts of the lake a significant deficit in the inventory of210Pb was found in the sediments. This could be due to a chemical redissolution of210Pb together with Mn under reducing conditions. In contrast, in the suboxic part of the lake (135 m depth) the flux of210Pb was about twice the atmospheric input. This excess is not caused by allochthonous contributions and is tentatively explained by the transport of sediment material resulting from small slides at the very steep lake shores or more probably by reprecipitation of210Pb together with Mn when the conditions in the lake water become locally and seasonally more oxidizing. Dissolved210Pb may migrate from locations with reducing conditions and reprecipitate under more oxic conditions. Indeed, a correlation of Mn and210Pb in sediments of Lake Zurich was found.This is the first of a series of papers to be published by this journal following the 20th anniversary of the first application of210Pb dating of lake sediments. Dr P. G. Appleby is guest editing this series. |
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| Keywords: | 210Pb dating geochronology sedimentation rates 137Cs Switzerland |
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