POC and particulate Th export fluxes estimated using Th/U disequilibrium in an enclosed Eastern Mediterranean region (Saronikos Gulf and Elefsis Bay, Greece) in seasonal scale |
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| Authors: | Nikolaos Evangeliou Heleny Florou |
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| Institution: | a NCSR ‘Demokritos’, Institute of Nuclear Technology-Radiation Protection, Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
b National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chemistry Department, Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, University Campus, 15771 Athens, Greece |
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| Abstract: | Activity concentrations of the naturally occurring, short-lived and highly particle-reactive radionuclide tracer 234Th in the dissolved and particulate phase were determined at 7 shallow-water stations (maximum depths: 30 (S.1 and S.2), 65 (S.3), 97 (S.5), 105 (S.6) and 220 m (S.4 and S.7) in Saronikos Gulf and Elefsis Bay (central Aegean Sea, Greece) during 3 seasonal cruises (summer 2008, autumn 2008 and winter 2009) to assess the time scales of the dynamics and the depositional fate of particulate matter (POC, particulate 234Th). For that reason, in situ filtrating systems were deployed in several depths of the water column consisting of GF/A disc prefilters to scavenge particulate fraction of 234Th and organic carbon and impregnated cartridges to adsorb dissolved 234Th.The obtained data showed average particulate 234Th activity concentrations of 3.7 ± 0.4 Bq m−3 in summer, 2.1 ± 0.2 Bq m−3 in autumn and 2.4 ± 0.2 Bq m−3 in winter. The respective average dissolved 234Th activity concentrations were 30.1 ± 2.8 Bq m−3 in summer, 30.2 ± 2.9 Bq m−3 in autumn and 27.4 ± 3.0 Bq m−3 in winter. The activity ratios of total 234Th and its long-lived conservative parent 238U were below unity in most of the stations indicating radioactive disequilibrium throughout the water column, thus very dynamic trace-metal scavenging and particle export from the water column. These profiles (234Th and 238U) were used to estimate the export fluxes and scavenging rates of 234Th, as well as their residence times in the water column. The average cumulative export fluxes of particulate 234Th were estimated to be 33 ± 4 Bq m−2 d−1 in summer, 35 ± 5 Bq m−2 d−1 in autumn and 45 ± 6 Bq m−2 d−1 in winter, whereas the respective average cumulative scavenging rates of dissolved 234Th were 39 ± 5, 33 ± 5 and 50 ± 7 Bq m−2 d−1. Moreover, the cumulative average residence times of 234Th were 25 ± 4 d in summer, 45 ± 6 d in autumn and 64 ± 7 d in winter 2009 for the dissolved fraction and 4 ± 1, 3 ± 1 and 4 ± 1 d for the particulate one, respectively.POC/ ratio profiles decreased versus depth showing a variety of marine processes, such as loss of POC due to dissolution after biological activity, impact of minerals in particle sinking and microbial remineralization. Average cumulative export fluxes of POC were 162 ± 18 mmol m−2 d−1 in summer, 107 ± 19 mmol m−2 d−1 in autumn and 157 ± 25 mmol m−2 d−1 in winter 2009. The seasonal data of POC fluxes certified the existence of phytoplankton bloom in winter for Saronikos Gulf. In addition, after evaluating the maxima of POC fluxes in Elefsis Bay (a small embayment in northern Saronikos Gulf) during summer, potential bloom of phytoplankton also concluded; this approach is in agreement with previous data of the same area. Finally, the elevated POC concentrations and fluxes in the region certify that the Gulf is still one of the most organic polluted in the Mediterranean Sea. |
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