Mark (Theodore) Trice, University of Maryland, College Park

Class Year:

1989

Mentor:

Jeffrey Cornwell, Ph.D.

Abstract:

The geochronological dating tool, ²¹⁰Pb dating, was used to determine average sedimentation rates in three mid-bay stations. The stations (M1, M2, M3) followed a lateral transect from 27537.5 x 42404.4, to 27530.0 x 42405.0, to 27523.9 x 42406.6 respectively. Average sedimentation rates were .161 g cm^-2 yr^-1 for station M1 and .27 g cm^-2 yr^-1 for station M2. No value was obtained for station M3 due to homogenous mixing of ²¹⁰Pb throughout the sediment core. Mixing most likely resulted from anthropogenic disturbances or from a slumping of sediment into a depression. Mixing later depth was ~10 cm at stations M1 and M2. Mixing was a result of current action as well as some bioturbation.

Location:

Horn Point Laboratory