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.