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Accumulation rates of manganese nodules and sediments: An Alpha Track Method
Author(s) -
Andersen M. E.,
Macdougall J. D.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl004i009p00351
Subject(s) - manganese , nodule (geology) , sediment , mineralogy , alpha (finance) , alpha particle , geology , track (disk drive) , materials science , physics , nuclear physics , statistics , geomorphology , mathematics , paleontology , metallurgy , construct validity , computer science , operating system , psychometrics
Autoradiographs of the total alpha activity distribution in slices through manganese nodules can be used to determine growth rates and to investigate the mode of incorporation of alpha emitters into nodules. Total alpha vs. depth profiles, measured with high resolution by counting alpha tracks in cellulose nitrate detectors, are almost always exponential and apparently record nodule growth. Accumulation rates determined by 230 Th ex measurements are in approximate agreement with the alpha track measurements. Sediment accumulation rates may also be measured by this technique.