FY 1985

Sedimentation rates in Puget Sound from ²¹⁰Pb measurements

Lavelle, J.W., G.J. Massoth, and E.A. Crecelius

NOAA Tech. Memo. ERL PMEL-61, NTIS: PB85-193381/AS, 43 pp (1985)

Sixteen Pb profiles from sites along the axis of the Main Basin of Puget Sound show that bottom sediments are accumulating at rates of 0.26 to 1.20 g/cm/yr; these along with seven rates earlier published suggest highest accumulation nearly midway along the length of this tidal current-dominated basin. Bioturbated surface layers of cores have also been found to be as deep as 40 cm, but biologic mixing rates are poorly determined. Individual Pb accumulation rates have a range of from approximately one to five times areal average accumulation rates based on estimates of recent sediment input from riverine and shoreline sources.