Scavenging phenomenon elucidated from234Th/238U disequilibrium in surface water of the Taiwan Strait
Journal
Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Journal Volume
21
Journal Issue
4
Pages
713-726
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Concentrations of dissolved ( 234 Th d ) and particulate ( 234 Th p ) 234 Th in surface water at 38 stations in the Taiwan Strait were determined for samples collected in May 2006. The spatial distribution of 234 Th in the Taiwan Strait is controlled by advective input of Kuroshio Branch Water via the Peng-Hu Channel and fast removal due to the high input of riverine particulates from the Cho-Sui River. A scavenging model involving physical transport was applied to the 234 Th d and 234 Th p data to estimate scavenging and removal rates of 234 Th. Estimated scavenging rate ranges from 32 to 703 dpm m -3 d -1 and the removal rate ranges from 24 to 560 dpm m -3 d -1 . Using 234 Th as a proxy of particulate organic carbon, we estimate that the removal rate of POC from surface water of the Taiwan Strait ranges from 0.3 1.5 mmol-C m -3 d -1 off southwestern Taiwan to 10.2 3.5 mmol-C m -3 d -1 in the central Taiwan Strait.
SDGs
Type
journal article