Cosmogenic 21Ne analysis of individual detrital grains: opportunities and limitations

Codilean, A.T., Bishop, P., Hoey, T.B., Stuart, F.M. and Fabel, D. (2010) Cosmogenic 21Ne analysis of individual detrital grains: opportunities and limitations. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 35(1), pp. 16-27. (doi: 10.1002/esp.1815)

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Abstract

We use a numerical model describing cosmogenic nuclide acquisition in sediment moving through the upper Gaub River catchment to evaluate the extent to which aspects of source area geomorphology and geomorphological processes can be inferred from frequency distributions of cosmogenic <sup>21</sup>Ne (<sup>21</sup>Ne<sub>c</sub>) concentrations in individual detrital grains. The numerical model predicts the pathways of sediment grains from their source to the outlet of the catchment and calculates the total <sup>21</sup>Ne<sub>c</sub> concentration that each grain acquires along its pathway. The model fully accounts for variations in nuclide production due to changes in latitude, altitude and topographic shielding and allows for spatially variable erosion and sediment transport rates. Model results show that the form of the frequency distribution of <sup>21</sup>Ne<sub>c</sub> concentrations in exported sediment is sensitive to the range and spatial distribution of processes operating in the sediment's source areas and that this distribution can be used to infer the range and spatial distribution of erosion rates that characterise the catchment. The results also show that lithology can affect the form of the <sup>21</sup>Ne<sub>c</sub> concentration distribution indirectly by exerting control on the spatial pattern of denudation in a catchment. Model results further indicate that the form of the distribution of 21Nec concentrations in the exported sediment can also be affected by the acquisition of <sup>21</sup>Ne<sub>c</sub> after detachment from bedrock, in the diffusive (hillslope) and/or advective (fluvial) domains. However, for such post-detachment nuclide acquisition to be important, this effect needs to at least equal the nuclide acquisition prior to detachment from bedrock.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Codilean, Dr Alexandru and Fabel, Dr Derek and Hoey, Professor Trevor and Stuart, Professor Fin and Bishop, Professor Paul
Authors: Codilean, A.T., Bishop, P., Hoey, T.B., Stuart, F.M., and Fabel, D.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons
ISSN:0197-9337
Published Online:29 June 2009

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