Transport processes of particulate materials in the Japan Sea inferred from C signatures

Otosaka, Shigeyoshi  ; Tanaka, Takayuki; Minakawa, Masayuki*

Transport processes of particulate materials were discussed from elemental and isotopic proxies of seabed sediment, suspended particles and sinking particles collected from northeastern region of the Japan Sea. Isotopic ratios of radiocarbon in suspended/sedimentary organic matter decreased with a horizontal distance from the shelf edge. Assuming that the decrease of the isotopic ratio is due to the radioactive decay of radiocarbon, the authors estimated that suspended particles were transported horizontally through the benthic layer at a speed of 200 m/year.