10Be variation in surficial sediments of the Central Indian Basin

B. Nagender Nath, A. Aldahan, G. Possnert, K. Selvaraj, M. B.L. Mascarenhas-Pereira, C. T.A. Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Distribution of 10Be in systematically collected (degree × degree interval at 10 to 16 °S; 73.5 to 76.5 °E) surficial siliceous ooze, siliceous clay and pelagic clay sediments (top 2 cm) from the abyssal Central Indian Basin and the Andaman Sea is used to evaluate sources and to decipher the transport pathways of sediment particles, demarcate sediment depocenters and erosional areas. While 10Be concentrations display a wide variation (0.12-5.56 × 109 atoms g-1) with an average of 3.58 × 109 atoms g-1 in the Central Indian Basin, the values in the Andaman Sea are uniform with an average of 1.49 × 109 atoms g-1. The 10Be/9Be values in the Central Indian Basin sediments range between 0.06 and 2.99 × 10-8 atoms atoms-1 and average to ∼1.56 × 10-8 atoms atoms-1. Correlation of 10Be data with some selected major (Al, Mn, Ti) and trace (Rb and Ba) elements suggest that large part of the isotope has been supplied through direct atmospheric fallout from the water column and minor part from lithogenic detrital flux. Significantly lower 10Be accumulation rates in the Central Indian Basin and an order of magnitude higher in the Andaman Sea sediments compared to the estimated global average production rates indicate removal of the isotopes at the continental margins. Bottom topography seems to exert control on local 10Be variation, where sediments deposited in valleys or topographic depressions contain higher 10Be concentrations in contrast to the probably erosion-dominated areas at the slopes and troughs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)610-615
Number of pages6
JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
Volume259
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Andaman Sea
  • Beryllium isotopes
  • Central Indian Basin
  • Geochemistry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Instrumentation

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