210 Pb-derived sediment accumulation rates in the southwestern East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Abstract

Recent sediment accumulation rates are 18–230 mg cm-2 yr-1 (0.02–0.2 cm yr-1) based on excess 210Pb activity profiles in the southwestern part of the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Assuming no mixing beneath surface mixed layers, 210Pb-derived sediment accumulation rates are 18–32 mg cm-2 yr-1 in the northern part of the Yamato Ridge and the Ulleung Basin, 29–136 mg cm-2 yr-1 in the Korea Plateau, and 230 mg cm-2 yr-1 in the southern shelf. These values generally agree with long-term sedimentation rates estimated from dated ash layers.