Role of organic and inorganic particles in the mobility of radionuclides in the Kongsfjord-Krossfjord system (MORAK)

Updated 2003-07-04

The aims of the project are: - to evaluate the fluxes of radionuclides in the water column and their accumulation in the sediment, on a short-time scale; - to determine the C/N and delta13C-delta15N ratios in suspended and sedimentary matter, and test their use as tracers of origin, composition and transformation pathways of organic particles. The selected study area is the Kongsfjord-Krossfjord system, Svalbard, considered as representative test-site for studying processes occurring in Arctic fjords. The focus of the project will be on the processes occurring at the glacier-sea interface, where enhanced lithogenic and biogenic particle fluxes are reported in summer. Specific methods will be used to trace the particle sources. The rate of accumulation-resuspension processes will also be investigated from the inner fjord to the outer continental shelf.

http://estinf.santateresa.enea.it/

Status: Ongoing
Project time span: 1998 - 2004
Data collection: 2000 - 2004
Data processing: 2000 - 2004
Data reporting: 2000 - 2004

Contact information

Contact person: Carlo PAPUCCI
Address: ENEA Centro di Ricerche Ambientali Marine Forte di S. Teresa Pozzuolo di Lerici (La Spezia)
Phone: +39 187 978267
Fax: +39 187 978213
Email: ti.aene.aseretatnas@iccupap

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Climate change effects

Radionuclides

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Marine sediments

Seawater/suspended particulate matter

Additional information or further specification of types of data / information collected, species / tissues / organs sampled, etc.

Surficial marine sediment cores. Sliced into 1-cm horizons for vertical profiles of contaminants(mainly: natural and anthropogenic radionuclides)

Geography

Regions studied: Radionuclides; Radionuclides; Radionuclides; Radionuclides; Radionuclides

Data availability

References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports: Results are regularly published in the proceedings of meetings regarding Arctic radioactivity (2000, 2002, 2004). A comprehensive assessment is published in the EU-"REMOTRANS" final report (2004).

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: Yes

Specimen banking information: ENEA-MERC Data Bank for info on vertical profiles. ENEA-MERC Historical Archive for spare sediment samples. Sampled and data are stored permanently.

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.: Sediment cores taken using a box-corer. Cores are quickly sliced in 1-cm intervals and stored in plastic cans until analysed. Analyses of gamma-emitting natural and anthropogenic radionucles are carried out via high-resolution spectrometry.
QA/QC Information (what QA/QC procedures are implemented, laboratories involvment in QA/QC activities, model verification/validation routines, etc.): QA/QC are regularly checked analysing Standard Reference Materials (NIST)and participating at international Inteercomparison Exercises (IAEA)

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: Yes
Other institutes involved in the project: 9 European Scientific Institution from 8 countries have been involved in the "REMOTRANS" Eu-funded programme, in which this project is included
Is this project reporting to other organizations/programmes?: EU "ARMARA" Arctic Marine Radioecology, 1996-1999