(137)Cs vertical distribution at the deep basins of the North and Central Aegean Sea, Greece

Large volume seawater samples were collected for the determination of (137)Cs concentration along with depth in the deep basins of North and Central Aegean Sea. The vertical (137)Cs distribution showed maximum concentration at the bottom of the basins, while the minimum values corresponded to the intermediate layer, where Levantine water exists. The surface (137)Cs activity is found to lie between the two limits and is originated from the Black Sea waters. The typical oceanographic advection-diffusion balance model is modified to a diffusion-settling-decay balance model to better understand the vertical distribution and variation of the (137)Cs concentration in the deep basins. In addition, the diffusivity of each basin, as well as the settling speed of particulate (137)Cs is also estimated. The results are compared with theoretical approach as well as with previous data.