Temporal dynamics of airborne lead-210 in Missouri (USA): Implications for geochronological methods

Abstract

Lead-210 (210Pb) deposited from the atmosphere is used in the dating of certain geological materials such as glacial ice and lacustrine sediments, but its long-term atmospheric behavior has been little studied. The present investigation reports measurements of airborne 210Pb at 21 monitoring stations in Springfield, Missouri, during 1975-1995. Seasonal and diurnal patterns of atmospheric concentrations are established, and the mean annual concentrations of 210Pb in ground level air during the 20-year period are examined. Although airborne 210Pb concentrations are found to vary diurnally and seasonally, mean annual concentrations in southwest Missouri have remained relatively constant during this time period. This finding is important for geochronological methods that assume a constant 210Pb flux from the atmosphere.

Department(s)

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540050431

Keywords

Atmospheric lead-210, Geochronology, Lead-210 dating, Radiometric methods

Publication Date

1-1-1999

Journal Title

Environmental Geology

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