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Reconstruction of sedimentation rates based on the chronological framework of Lake Pykara, Tamil Nadu, India

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Abstract

This work presents a piece of initial information about the estimation of the sedimentation rate for Lake Pykara. In this investigation, a chronological sequence of sediment core was set up dependent on 137Cs and 210Pbex analysis to study sediment accumulation rates in Lake Pykara. Caesium-137 (Cs) is an artificial radionuclide and is regularly utilized in building up the chronology of lake sediments in the Anthropocene period. The unsupported 210Pb profile shows a non-exponential decline of 210Pb activity with sediment depth. Sedimentation rates dependent on global atmospheric nuclear weapon maximum fallout of 137Cs (1963) bolster the utilization of the consistent rate of 210Pb supply (CRS) model in core sediments. The geochronology studies of the core were performed using the 137Cs method, to evaluate the model of time changes in the sediment. The 137Cs radioactivity was resolved directly by gamma spectrometry and fluctuated from 13.11 ± 1.3 Bq kg−1 for top layers to 1.21 ± 0.1 Bq kg−1 for the bottom of the core. Two trademark peaks of 137Cs radioactivity identified with the global fallouts after atomic weapons testing and the Chernobyl mishap were observed and used to affirm the 210Pb dating method. Radioactivity of 210Pbex ranged from 8.00 ± 1.0 to 1.40 ± 0.1 Bq kg−1. The mean sedimentation rate evaluated from both models was 0.71 ± 0.06 cm year−1, while the estimated age of Lake Pykara was 514.08 years (137Cs) and 521.43 years (210Pbex), respectively.

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The author used ArcGIS 10.1, Origin 2019, SPSS (version 21) to carry out the analysis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are greatly indebted to R.K. Singhal, Head, Analytical Spectroscopy Section, Department of Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Mumbai, India, for his support to uphold at different phases of this work. The authors are additionally grateful to the Principal Chief conservator of Forests, Chennai, and the District Forest Officer, Nilgiri Forest division, Udhagamandalam for allowing us to gather sediment samples at Lake Pykara. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

    Krishna Kumar Singh & Sivaprakasam Vasudevan

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  1. Krishna Kumar Singh
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Correspondence to Sivaprakasam Vasudevan.

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Singh, K.K., Vasudevan, S. Reconstruction of sedimentation rates based on the chronological framework of Lake Pykara, Tamil Nadu, India. Environ Monit Assess 193, 428 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09200-0

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