A new method for physical limnology—tritium‐helium‐3 ages—results for Lakes Erie, Huron, and Ontario1

Abstract

A new method in physical limnology based on the radioactive tracer tritium and its stable daughter product, 3 He, is examined. The 3 He produced by the in situ decay of tritium can be used to calculate an effective water mass age. These ages can then be used to estimate gas exchange rates, gas renewal at turnover, and vertical diffusivity in the epilimnion.