Using a cesium-137 (Cs-137) sedimentary fallout record in the South Atlantic Ocean as a supporting tool for defining the Anthropocene

Author(s)

de Lima Ferreira, Paulo Alves ^[1] ; Lopes Figueira, Rubens Cesar ^[1] ; Siegle, Eduardo ^[1] ; Asp Neto, Nils Edvin ^[2] ; Martins, Cesar de Castro ^[3] ; Franca Schettini, Carlos Augusto ^[4] ; Maciel, Pablo Muniz ^[5] ; Garcia-Rodrigueze, Felipe ^[5] ; de Mahiques, Michel Michaelovitch ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, IO, Pca Oceanog 191, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Para IECos UFPA, Inst Estudos Costeiros, BR-68600000 Braganca, PA - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Parana CEM UFPR, Ctr Estudos Mar, Ave Beira Mar, POB 61, BR-83255976 Pontal Do Parana, PR - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Pernambuco CTG UFPE, Ctr Tecnol & Geociencias, Ave Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Univ, BR-50670901 Recife, PE - Brazil

^[5] Univ La Republ, Fac Ciencias, Igua 4225, Montevideo 11400 - Uruguay

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANTHROPOCENE; v. 14, p. 34-45, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Human civilization is causing many changes to the global environment, such as the widespread presence of coastal cities and air, soil and water pollution. A new stratigraphic term for the current age, the Anthropocene, has been proposed and is differentiated from the Holocene by anthropogenic alterations. This study evaluated the occurrence and distribution of an artificial radionuclide, cesium-137 (Cs-137), in coastal sediments of the South Atlantic Ocean through analysis of a large number of sediment cores covering a wide latitudinal band (0 degrees-35 degrees S). The age of this radionuclide's horizon of maximum activity is validated with unsupported lead-210 (Pb-210) dating and its use is directly related to the peak of the past atmospheric fallout from nuclear tests in 1963, showing its radioactive record to be a short- to mid-term chronostratigraphic marker in helping to define the beginning of the Anthropocene. The presence of fallout Cs-137 follows a latitudinal pattern with a mid-latitude maximum at approximately 35 degrees S and lower values toward the equator. This result agrees with observations reported in the international literature regarding the deposition of fallout radioactivity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/08016-6 - Study methods of parameters and processes of marine sedimentary dynamics with natural and artificial radionuclides
• Grantee: Paulo Alves de Lima Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 09/01211-0 - Historical of anthropic activity in Bertioga Channel, Sao Paulo, Brazil: levels of metals, semi-metals and recent sedimentation in sedimentary columns
• Grantee: Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 06/04344-2 - The geological record of anthropic activity in the estuary and lagoon system of Cananeia-Iguape
• Grantee: Michel Michaelovitch de Mahiques
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/50581-4 - Susceptibility and resilience of urban estuarine systems to global changes: hydro-sedimentologic budget; sea-level rise; response to extreme events
• Grantee: Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants