Investigation of 210Pb distribution in southern black sea sediment cores and their use in dating and historical determination of metal pollution

In this thesis, activity concentrations of 210Pb along profile in Southern Black Sea sediment cores were measured to be used in sedimentation rate and dating studies. In the investigated sediment cores, the highest 210Pb activity on the surface was 303 Bq kg-1, while the lowest activity value was 31 Bq kg-1. Sedimentation rate and sediment formation times were calculated by unsupported 210Pb activities along the cores. Sedimentation rate was calculated with CRS and CIC models. The highest average velocity was found to be 0.895 cm y-1 according to CRS model and the highest 0.067 cm y-1 according to CIC model. In the region where heavy metal analyzes were performed, the highest metal concentration was determined for Fe and the lowest metal concentration was determined for Co in KD-4 and KD-02A cores. The metal concentrations in KD-4 sediment core are listed as Fe> Al> Ca> Mn> Cu> Zn> Cr> Sr> Ni> Ba> Pb> Co, whereas in KD-02A sediment core as Fe> Al> Ca> Mn> Cu> Zn > Ni> Sr> Cr> Ba> Pb> Co. In this study, the correlation of metal concentrations in sediment cores with each other was examined and enrichment factors were calculated. Key Words: 210Pb Method, Dating, Black Sea, Sediment