Abstract
The effect of seasonal variations in productivity and redox dynamics on the sediment/water exchange of uranium was investigated on a twelve cruise time series in the Chesapeake Bay. The deep waters of the bay undergo seasonal anoxia in response to high primary productivity and water column stratification from late spring to early fall. Dissolved oxygen was used to monitor water column redox conditions and dissolved iron, manganese, and sulfide were measured to monitor sediment redox conditions. Dissolved 238U was measured in the water column and sediment porewaters to monitor water column/sediment exchange. Uranium incorporation in bay sediments results from two distinct processes: productivity-dependent scavenging from the water column and redox-dependent cycling of uranium between sediments and bottomwater. Uranium is removed from surface waters of the bay by scavenging with biodetritus during periods of high primary productivity. Bottomwater and sediment redox conditions determine whether this particle-bound uranium is buried or released to overlying water. Particulate uranium is released to bottomwaters and porewaters during the degradation of biodetritus and oxidation of authigenic uranium. Low oxygen in bottomwaters in the summer results in minimal exchange of uranium between the sediments and bottomwater, due to the stability of reduced U(IV). High bottomwater oxygen concentrations associated with bay turnover in the fall results in release of authigenic uranium by oxidation to the soluble (VI) form. Enrichment of uranium in fall bottomwater suggests that authigenic uranium is very labile when exposed to oxic environmental conditions. This process is enhanced by physical mixing when anoxic sediments are resuspended into the oxic bottomwaters.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
