Radiochronology of sediments from the Mediterranean Sea using natural²¹⁰Pb and fallout¹³⁷Cs

Abstract

The²¹⁰Pb and¹³⁷Cs profiles of sediment cores from two locations in southern Spain, three locations in southern Turkey and two locations in northern Cyprus were determined by direct γ-ray spectroscopy. Sedimentation rates were derived for all locations using the²¹⁰Pb data. The rates range from 1.39±0.12 cm · y⁻¹ (0.50±0.04 g · cm⁻² · y⁻¹) to 0.08±0.01 cm · y⁻¹ (0.039±0.003 g · cm⁻² · y⁻¹). Except for one core, the¹³⁷Cs profiles were also used to compute sedimentation rates. The results are in good agreement with those of²¹⁰Pb values. The results of the Constant Initial Concenration and Constant Rate of Supply dating models are in good agreement with each other. The flux of unsupported²¹⁰Pb varies between 0.11±0.03 to 0.74±0.01 pCi · cm⁻². The average depositional flux was found to be considerably lower for cores from the Eastern Mediterranean.