Miller J.R., Mackin G., Orbock Miller S.M. Application of Geochemical Tracers to Fluvial Sediment

Cham: Springer, 2015. — 154 p. — (Springer Briefs in Earth Sciences) — ISBN: 3319132202.This book takes an in-depth look at the theory and methods inherent in the tracing of riverine sediments. Examined tracers include multi-elemental concentration data, fallout radionuclides (e.g., ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁷Be), radiogenic isotopes (particularly those of Pb, Sr, and Nd), and novel (non-traditional) stable isotopes (e.g., Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn), the latter of which owe their application to recent advances in analytical chemistry. The intended goal is not to replace more ‘traditional’ analyses of the riverine sediment system, but to show how tracer/fingerprinting studies can be used to gain insights into system functions that would not otherwise be possible. The text, then, provides researchers and catchment managers with a summary of the strengths and limitations of the examined techniques in terms of their temporal and spatial resolution, data requirements, and the uncertainties in the generated results.