Distribution of Some Chemical Elements Between Dissolved and 

 Particulate Phases in the Ocean 



Bacon, M.P. 



$153,000 



Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 



Department of Chemistry 



C: 617-548-1400 



The project objective is to develop a quantitative understanding of how the oceans assimilate chemical substances 



added to them by measuring natural radioactive nuclides. We are testing the hypothesis that upper continental slope 



sediments constitute a major sink for undesirable by-products of human activities that enter the ocean. The 



geochemical objectives are (1) to test the hypothesis by using various procedures to estimate the fluxes of materials 



to the upper slope sediments and accumulations therein and (2) to better understand the geochemical transport and 



exchange that control the fluxes and rates of accumulation. Field operations conducted south of Nantucket Shoals 



and Georges Bank have been completed and sample analysis is in progress. Initial results suggest accumulation of 

 2l0p b 230 Thand 23lp a 



Fate of Nuclides in Natural Water Systems 



Turekian, K.K. 



$101,000 



Yale University 



Department of Geology and Geophysics 



C: 203-432-3186 



The behavior of natural radionuclides in precipitation, soil profiles, and groundwaters provides valuable clues to 

 the behavior of nuclides released during the exploitation of energy resources. The influence of water on the behavior 

 of nuclides in soil profiles and groundwaters affects the transport of nuclides to the coastal zone by rivers. Climatic 

 regimes and related geomorphic processes have changed markedly over the past thousands of years because of gla- 

 cial cycles. This research focuses on the chronology of groundwaters and soils. Continued study of the carbon cycle 

 (through C analysis) in soil profiles, stream detritus, and coastal sediments will provide insight into some aspects 

 of the increased use of fossil fuels (which release carbon dioxide) and accelerated land use for agriculture and sil- 

 viculture. 



Coastal Ocean Margins Program A10 December 1988 



