Geochronology of Pb and Hg pollution in a coastal marine environment using global fallout 137Cs

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 145 - 157
• Main Authors: Jha, S.K., Chavan, S.B., Pandit, G.G., Sadasivan, S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: 137Cs; 210Pb; Applied sciences; Creek ecosystem; Dating techniques; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecosystem; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh Water; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Hg and Pb pollution; Lead - analysis; Mercury - analysis; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Radioactive Fallout; Seawaters, estuaries; Water Pollutants - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Asia; India; Hg and Pb pollution; Dating techniques; 210Pb; Creek ecosystem; 137Cs; Cesium 137; Geochronology; Estuaries; Radioisotope; Isotope dating; Sediments; Case history; Coastal zone; Heavy metal; Cores; Lead; Water pollution; Mercury; Seawater
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0265-931X(03)00092-4

Global fallout 137Cs was used for dating sediment cores and estimation of recent sedimentation rates (up to 1 cm/y) in the Thane Creek, which lies in the southern part of the Deccan belt of India. The residence time of 210Pb in the Thane Creek water was calculated to be 0.7 years. Further, the concentrations of Pb (up to 70 μg/g) and Hg (up to 10 μg/g) in sediment profiles were measured to assess the anthropogenic input of contaminants due to large-scale industrialization, which has taken place in this area over the last two decades. The depth-wise concentration profile of Hg shows positive evidence of continued fresh input into the Creek.