Abstract
Six sediment push-cores were collected at a coastal lagoon system affected by urban and agriculture wastes. The sediments were analyzed for 228Th, 230Th, 232Th, 210Pb, 226Ra, and 137Cs. 137Cs activities were at background level for all samples. The 210Pbtot activities found in the area varied from 0.5 to 4.5 dpm g–1 with 210Pbsup levels ranging between 1.2–1.8 dpm g–1. Cores CHI and EPC showed flat profiles depleted of 210Pbxs, indicating the absence of recent sedimentation. Core CAI shows a flat 210Pbxs profile that seems to be bioturbated. Cores ERC and BRI show chaotic profiles with layers totally depleted in 210Pbxs, likely caused by resuspension triggered by storm conditions. High 228Th/232Th values observed at core ERC suggest that the resuspension event occurred less than 10 years ago. The contaminated sediment of the lagoon are frequently resuspended, re-oxygenated, and therefore the contaminating trace metals will continue to be easily remobilized in the food chain.
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