U–salinity relationships in the Mediterranean: Implications for ²³⁴Th:²³⁸U particle flux studies

Muir, G.K.P. and Pates, J.M. (2007) U–salinity relationships in the Mediterranean: Implications for ²³⁴Th:²³⁸U particle flux studies. Marine Chemistry, 106(3-4), pp. 530-545. (doi: 10.1016/j.marchem.2007.05.006)

Abstract

Knowledge of the ²³⁸U concentration in seawater is important for ²³⁴Th:²³⁸U disequilibrium studies of particle fluxes. However, these concentration data are normally obtained through a standard relationship between 238U and salinity, which has been determined for the open ocean. This study examines ²³⁸U data from both the open Mediterranean and the coastal Thermaikos Gulf, Greece, and compares it to the open ocean. No deviation from the open ocean ²³⁸U–salinity relationship was found for the Thermaikos Gulf, but some enhancement was noted close to Thessaloniki in the vicinity of a phosphate fertiliser plant. The open Mediterranean data showed a small enhancement relative to the open ocean. Although an analytical bias could not be ruled out, a review of ²³⁸U and salinity data in the literature shows that the standard relationship may not be as robust as is often assumed and the 1% uncertainty typically used is not justified at the present time. Nevertheless, salinity-based derivations continue to be the most appropriate means of determining ²³⁸U concentrations for routine applications. We propose a new relationship that accounts for the uncertainties observed, i.e. ²³⁸U (dpm l−1)=(0.0713±0.0012)×salinity

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Muir, Dr Graham
• Authors: Muir, G.K.P., and Pates, J.M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Marine Chemistry
• Publisher: ScienceDirect (Elsevier)
• ISSN: 0304-4203
• ISSN (Online): 1872-7581
• Published Online: 01 January 2007