Anthropogenic traces in bottom sediments of Chukchi Sea

• Published in: Quaternary International
• Main Authors: Vologina, E.G., Sturm, M., Astakhov, A.S., Xuefa, Shi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019
• Subjects: Chukchi Sea; bottom sediments; activities of 137Cs and 210Pb; recent sedimentation rates; grain size; biogenic components; Fukushima; Chukchi
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2019.07.008

This paper presents results of a high-resolution study of bottom sediments from the central and northern parts of the Chukchi Sea. Magnetic susceptibility and grain size distribution within the sediments indicate calm depositional conditions of mainly lithogenic material. The biogenic material is dominated by SiO 2bio (up to 15%) and to a much lesser extent by C org (up to 2%) and N tot (up to 0.25%). The distinct increase of organic material within the uppermost parts of the cores causes a decrease of magnetic susceptibilty and reflects an increase of biological productivity of the Chukchi Sea, triggered by global warming of the climate. Fallout activity peaks of 137 Cs, measured in the core taken in the central area of the Chukchi Sea, are assumed to represent the fall-out of the accidents of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 and of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011. The two fallout peaks of 137 Cs in the sediments of the northern area correspond to the maximum of the atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons in 1963 and to the accident at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. Rates of recent sedimentation, dated by 137 Cs fall-out peaks and by additional measurements of 210 Pb are estimated to be 2-2.7 mm a -1 in the central part and 0.9-1.3 mm a -1 in the northern part of the Chukchi Sea.