Exploring and optimizing characterization of radionuclide fingerprint for tracking sediment source: Comparison of mangrove, seagrass,and coral reef ecosystems

Lin Wuhui; Du Yunfeng; Yu Kefu; Du Jinqiu; Mo Zhenni; Li Yinghua; He Xianwen; Mo Minting

doi:10.12284/hyxb2023175

Volume 45 Issue 12

Dec. 2023

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Lin Wuhui，Du Yunfeng，Yu Kefu, et al. Exploring and optimizing characterization of radionuclide fingerprint for tracking sediment source: Comparison of mangrove, seagrass,and coral reef ecosystems[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2023, 45(12)：58–66 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2023175

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Exploring and optimizing characterization of radionuclide fingerprint for tracking sediment source: Comparison of mangrove, seagrass,and coral reef ecosystems

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2023175

Lin Wuhui^{1, 5
,},
Du Yunfeng¹,
Yu Kefu^{1
,
,},
Du Jinqiu²,
Mo Zhenni³,
Li Yinghua³,
He Xianwen⁴,
Mo Minting¹

1.
School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University/Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China
2.
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China
3.
Guangxi Academy of Oceanography, Nanning 530022, China
4.
Radiation-Environment Management and Monitoring Station of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530022, China
5.
Polar and Marine Research Institute, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China

Received Date: 2023-02-21
Rev Recd Date: 2023-06-30

Available Online: 2024-01-03

Publish Date: 2023-12-01

Abstract

Abstract

Sediment source is a key issue in sedimentology. Although sediment geochemistry is an important tool in sedimentology, the explorations and applications of radionuclides in sediment geochemistry are still limited. In this study, naturally occurring radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, and ⁴⁰K) in sediments were simultaneously measured using a high-purity germanium γ-spectrometer in three typical ecosystems of mangrove, seagrass, and coral reefs. The distribution characteristics of radionuclides in sediments from the these ecosystems were discussed in one-dimensional view of activity level, two-dimensional view of radionuclide pairs and activity ratio, and three-dimensional view of ternary diagram of radionuclides to identify distinct sources of sediments. Ternary diagram of ²³⁸U-²³²Th(²²⁸Ra)-⁴⁰K/10 in sediments was applied in the China different seas for tracking distinct sediment sources. This study emphasized that the three-dimensional view of ternary diagram of ²³⁸U-²³²Th(²²⁸Ra)-⁴⁰K/10 comprehensively exhibited the information of activity level, composition, and spatial distribution area of radionuclides. In conclusion, ternary diagram of²³⁸U-²³²Th(²²⁸Ra)-⁴⁰K/10 may be an optimized method for source identification in sediments and provide a supplement to the existing tools of geochemical proxies.
- radionuclide,
- geochemical proxy,
- sediment source,
- mangrove,
- coral reefs,
- seagrass

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References(44)

References

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