A comparison of dissolved and particulate 231Pa, 230Th and 232Th concentrations measured at the GEOTRACES Arctic crossover station in 2015

• Main Authors: Gdaniec, Sandra, Vivancos, Sebastian, Valk, Ole, Levier, Martin, Roy-Barman, Matthieu, Li, Xianglei, Geibert, Walter, van der Loeff, Michiel, Anderson, Robert, Edwards, Lawrence
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för geologiska vetenskaper
• Subjects: GEOTRACES; Protactinium; Thorium; intercalibration; Arctic Ocean; Geochemistry; Geokemi; Arctic
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-185829

The global mapping of the GEOTRACES program requires consistent and precise measurements of 232Th (pg/kg), 230Th and 231Pa (fg/kg) in seawater and suspended particulate matter. Concentrations of particulate and dissolved 231Pa, 230Th and 232Th were measured by four labs in samples collected at the Arctic crossover station in 2015. These samples were collected during two separate expeditions (HLY1502 GN01, Station 30 and PS94 GN04 ARK-XXIX/3, Station 101). Detailed descriptions of chemical procedures used by the participating labs are followed by a discussion focused on dissolved surface samples and particulate samples. Results demonstrated that participating labs can determine concentrations of dissolved 230Th and 231Pa in deep water (<500 m depth) that are internally consistent within 4 % of the mean values. However, the analysis of radionuclide concentrations in suspended particles still needs improvement. The pre-concentration of particulate material used at LSCE was proven to be unsuccessful. Aliquots of particulate samples at St. 101 were re-measured and it was concluded that the absence of HF in the leaching solution was the cause for the previously underestimated particulate concentrations. Large blank contributions are still a problem, especially for measurements of particulate 231Pa. GEOTRACES