Thorium-234
Thorium-234 (234Th) is a naturally occurring radionuclide in the ocean, formed from decay of its Uranium-238 “parent” which is delivered to the oceans via weathering and rivers. Quite simply, lower levels of 234Th means more of the Thorium that is attached to the sinking particles is being removed. These same particles carry organic carbon and associated elements from the surface to the deep sea. Starting in the early 1990’s scientists realized that if they measured carbon on the same particles, they could estimate the sinking flux of carbon, which is a key parameter in considering the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle and climate.
Data sharing
As part of JETZON, we have started a data sharing effort. If you have 234Th data, please consider sharing it here: Google sheet for data sharing
Not a fan of the google sheet? Only want to contribute details of your publications? No problem! Please use this template and send it to María Villa-Alfageme (mvilla@us.es; University of Sevilla) or Elena Ceballos-Romero (eceballos1@us.es; University of Sevilla).
Your data will be included in the 234Th global compilation that soon will be hosted in PANGAEA and regularly updated: "Revisiting 50 years of 234Th data: a comprehensive global oceanic data base". The aim of this compilation is to enable users to view and download ocean thorium data from all over the world. More information can be found here: Global 234Th data base .
Links to other resources
- 234Th and size fractionated particle methods from EXPORTS
- 234Th “cookbook” style methods - general link
- 234Th “cookbook” style methods - 234Th example from P. Masqué
- EXPORTS 234Th data
- Global 234Th data base
- Global C/Th data set just published 2020
Jennifer Kenyon collecting 234Th samples.
Photo: Ken Buesseler
Sam Clevenger adding tracer to 234Th samples.
Photo: Ken Buesseler
4-L filtration racks.
Photo: Ken Buesseler