University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Sediment and trace element depositional history from the Ajkwa River estuarine mangroves of Irian Jaya (West Papua), Indonesia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 15:07 authored by Brunskill, GJ, Zagorskis, I, Pfitzner, J, Joanna EllisonJoanna Ellison
Radiotracer 210Pb and contaminant copper were used to estimate sediment accumulation rates in 4 cores from the Ajkwa River estuary and mangrove tidal channels in western Irian Jaya. Mass accumulation rates (4.5–13 kg dry wt m−2 yr−1) were within the envelope of expectations for a region of high rainfall, great river catchment relief, and rapid tectonic uplift of mountains. Copper accumulation rates were enhanced 40 fold in surface sediments, compared to pre-1950 sections of the sediment cores. These recent sediments with enhanced copper concentrations come from Freeport Indonesia mine tailings over the last 27 years. Variations in sediment core profiles of Al, Fe, and organic carbon were small, indicating no great change in bulk sediment composition. Sulfur concentrations decline toward the sediment surface, suggesting a decline in rates of microbial sulfate reduction. Enhanced sediment copper concentrations will be a useful tracer of sediment dispersal from the Ajkwa River estuary along this coast.

History

Publication title

Continental Shelf Research

Volume

24

Issue

19

Pagination

2535-2551

ISSN

0278-4343

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

Pergamon

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Measurement and assessment of estuarine water quality

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC