/sup 137/Cs distribution and geochemistry in Savannah (Georgia) riverine, estuarine and marsh environments

Sediment radiochemistry characteristics of Savannah, Georgia, USA area riverine, marsh and estuarine environments were examined as part of ongoing efforts to determine processes governing the distribution and behavior of radionuclides throughout the Savannah area aquatic system. Analyses were performed to quantify /sup 137/Cs and /sup 210/Pb/sub xs/ activities, clay mineralogy, grain-size, elemental cesium (Cs) and manganese (Mn) concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that /sup 137/Cs activities in the Savannah area sediments range from below detection limits to 3.42 dpm/g. Radiogeochemistry patterns suggest that in the marsh, downcore particulate /sup 137/Cs distribution is primarily controlled by steady-state particle mixing and burial processes govern post-depositional /sup 137/Cs distribution in the local riverine and estuarine environments. In addition to physical processes, clay mineralogy and grain-size differences may also influence the /sup 137/Cs retention ability of the Savannah area aquatic sediments.