Pb-210-derived sediment accumulation rates in the southwestern East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Abstract

Recent sediment accumulation races are 18-230 mg cm(-2) yr(-1) (0.02-0.2, cm yr(-1)) based on excess Pb-210 activity profiles in the southwestern part of the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Assuming no mixing beneath surface mixed layers, Pb-210-derived sediment accumulation rates are 18-32 mg cm(-2) yr(-1) in the northern part of the Yamato Ridge and the Ulleung Basin, 29-136 mg cm(-2) yr(-1) in the Korea Plateau, and 230 mg cm(-2) yr(-1) in the southern shelf. These values generally agree with long-term sedimentation rates estimated from dated ash layers.