Sedimentation rates in the Lake Qattinah using 210Pb and 137Cs as geochronometer

Abstract

Abstract The constant rate of supply (CRS) of excess 210Pb model was successfully applied to assess 210Pb data of two sediment cores from the lake Qattinah, Syria. Gamma spectrometry was used to determine 137Cs and 210Pb activity concentrations. The bottom of the cores was 210Pb-dated to years 1907 and 1893. The accumulation rates were determined using 210Pb method and found to vary similarly in both cores from 0.10 ± 0.01 to 3.78 ± 0.57 kg m−2 y−1 during the past century. 137Cs was used as an in-dependent chronometer. The two distinct peaks observed on the 137Cs record of both cores, corresponding to 1965 and 1986, have allowed a successful validation of the CRS model.