Handbook for the Assessment of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Using Environmental Radionuclides

Handbook for the Assessment of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Using Environmental Radionuclides
Author: F. Zapata
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2007-05-08
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0306480549

This publication deals with soil erosion and sedimentation. Soil erosion and associated sediment deposition are natural landscape-forming processes that can be greatly accelerated by human intervention through deforestation, overgrazing, and non-sustainable farming practices. Soil erosion and sedimentation may not only cause on-site degradation of the natural resource base, but also off-site problems— downstream sediment deposition in fields, floodplains and water bodies, water pollution, eutrophication and reservoir siltation, etc. —with serious environmental and economic impairment. There is an urgent need for accurate information to quantify the problem and to underpin the selection of effective soil-conservation technologies and sedimentation-remediation strategies, including assessment of environmental and economic impacts. Existing classical techniques to document soil erosion are capable of meeting some of these needs, but they all possess important limitations. The quest for alternative techniques for assessing soil erosion, to complement existing methods, directed attention to the use of environmental radionuclides, in particular fallout as tracers to quantify rates and establish patterns of soil redistribution within the landscape. The concept of a project on the use of environmental radionuclides to quantify soil redistribution was first formulated at an Advisory Group Meeting convened in Vienna, April 1993, by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Environmental Radionuclides

Environmental Radionuclides
Author: Klaus Froehlich
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 453
Release: 2009-09-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080913296

Environmental Radionuclides presents a state-of-the-art summary of knowledge on the use of radionuclides to study processes and systems in the continental part of the Earth's environment. It is conceived as a companion to the two volumes of this series, which deal with isotopes as tracers in the marine environment (Livingston, Marine Radioactivity) and with the radioecology of natural and man-made terrestrial systems (Shaw, Radioactivity in Terrestrial Ecosystems). Although the book focuses on natural and anthropogenic radionuclides (radioactive isotopes), it also refers to stable environmental isotopes, which in a variety of applications, especially in hydrology and climatology, have to be consulted to evaluate radionuclide measurements in terms of the ages of groundwater and climate archives, respectively. The basic principles underlying the various applications of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in environmental studies are described in the first part of the book. The book covers the two major groups of applications: the use of radionuclides as tracers for studying transport and mixing processes: and as time markers to address problems of the dynamics of such systems, manifested commonly as the so-called residence time in these systems. The applications range from atmospheric pollution studies, via water resource assessments to contributions to global climate change investigation. The third part of the book addresses new challenges in the development of new methodological approaches, including analytical methods and fields of applications. - A state-of-the-art summary of knowledge on the use of radionuclides - Conceived as a companion to the two volumes of this series, which deal with isotopes as tracers

Use of 137Cs for soil erosion assessment

Use of 137Cs for soil erosion assessment
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 76
Release: 2018-07-25
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 925130050X

Soil erosion is the most destructive land degradation process causing removal of soil, siltation of water reservoirs and pollution of water sources. Combating erosion needs reliable data on soil erosion rates, its dynamics and spatial distribution. Collecting such data with conventional methods requires great investment and long period of time. The 137Cs method for erosion assessment can address this problem. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture of the IAEA has been working on this method for more than 20 years. This publication provides a brief guidance on this method. It covers major components of 137Cs method starting from its principles, the sampling strategy, gamma spectroscopic measurements, estimation of erosion rates with conversion models, data interpretation and the use of 137Cs method for erosion models validation. The publication is suitable for a wide audience such as researchers, agricultural and environmental experts, decision makers, farmers and students

Assessing Recent Soil Erosion Rates through the Use of Beryllium-7 (Be-7)

Assessing Recent Soil Erosion Rates through the Use of Beryllium-7 (Be-7)
Author: Lionel Mabit
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 72
Release: 2019-02-18
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3030109828

This open access book is the first comprehensive guideline for the beryllium-7 (Be-7) technique that can be applied to evaluate short-term patterns and budgets of soil redistribution in agricultural landscapes. While covering the fundamental and basic concepts of the approach, this book distinguishes itself from other publications by offering step-by-step instructions on how to use this isotopic technique effectively. It covers experimental design considerations and clear instruction is given on data processing. As accurate laboratory measurement is crucial to ensure successful use of Be-7 to investigate soil erosion, a full chapter is devoted to its specific determination by gamma spectrometry. This open access contribution further describes new developments in the Be-7 technique and includes a concluding chapter highlighting its potential benefits to support the implementation of area-wide soil conservation policy.

Soil Erosion and Sediment Redistribution in River Catchments

Soil Erosion and Sediment Redistribution in River Catchments
Author: Philip Neil Owens
Publisher: CABI
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2006
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0851990509

There can be little doubt that issues relating to soils and sediments are moving up the political agenda, and a realization that we need to collectively manage and protect both soil and water resources. In order to manage this delicate interface, attention is being increasingly directed towards holistic land-river management, demanding a greater appreciation of the interaction between soils and sediments. This book reviews the major achievements recently made in soil erosion and sediment redistribution research and management, and identifies future requirements.

Sediment Management at the River Basin Scale

Sediment Management at the River Basin Scale
Author: Phil Owens
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2007-10-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080553265

Sediments are a natural part of aquatic systems and they are essential for the hydrological, geomorphological and ecological functioning of those systems. For society they are important and represent an important resource. However, due to the ever increasing use of river catchments, sediments need to be managed in a balanced and sustainable way. Sediment Management at the River Basin Scale reviews some of the key requirements and challenges facing scientists, river basin managers, and policy makers for sustainable sediment management at the river basin scale, and puts forward important recommendations. This volume also available as part of a 4-volume set, ISBN 0444519599. Discount price for set purchase.* First book to consider management at the basin scale* State-of-the-art review chapters* New conceptual frameworks and approaches to management

Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology

Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology
Author: G. Mathias Kondolf
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 570
Release: 2016-06-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0470684054

Fluvial Geomorphology studies the biophysical processes acting in rivers, and the sediment patterns and landforms resulting from them. It is a discipline of synthesis, with roots in geology, geography, and river engineering, and with strong interactions with allied fields such as ecology, engineering and landscape architecture. This book comprehensively reviews tools used in fluvial geomorphology, at a level suitable to guide the selection of research methods for a given question. Presenting an integrated approach to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, it provides guidance for researchers and professionals on the tools available to answer questions on river restoration and management. Thoroughly updated since the first edition in 2003 by experts in their subfields, the book presents state-of-the-art tools that have revolutionized fluvial geomorphology in recent decades, such as physical and numerical modelling, remote sensing and GIS, new field techniques, advances in dating, tracking and sourcing, statistical approaches as well as more traditional methods such as the systems framework, stratigraphic analysis, form and flow characterisation and historical analysis. This book: Covers five main types of geomorphological questions and their associated tools: historical framework; spatial framework; chemical, physical and biological methods; analysis of processes and forms; and future understanding framework. Provides guidance on advantages and limitations of different tools for different applications, data sources, equipment and supplies needed, and case studies illustrating their application in an integrated perspective. It is an essential resource for researchers and professional geomorphologists, hydrologists, geologists, engineers, planners, and ecologists concerned with river management, conservation and restoration. It is a useful supplementary textbook for upper level undergraduate and graduate courses in Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and interdisciplinary courses in river management and restoration.

Behavior of Radionuclides in the Environment II

Behavior of Radionuclides in the Environment II
Author: Alexei Konoplev
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 447
Release: 2020-05-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 981153568X

This is Volume II in a three-volume set on the Behavior of Radionuclides in the Environment, focusing on Chernobyl. Now, so many years after the Chernobyl accident, new data is emerging and important new findings are being made. The book reviews major research achievements concerning the behavior of Chernobyl-derived radionuclides, including their air transport and resuspension, mobility and bioavailability in the soil-water environment, vertical and lateral migration in soils and sediments, soil-to-plant and soil-to-animal transfer, and water-to-aqueous biota transfer. The long-term dynamics of radionuclides in aquatic ecosystems are also discussed, in particular, the heavily contaminated cooling pond of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which is in the process of being decommissioned. Lessons learned from long-term research on the environmental behavior of radionuclides can help us understand the pathways of environmental contamination, which, in turn, will allow us to improve methods for modeling and predicting the long-term effects of pollution. This book features a wealth of original data and findings, many of which have never been published before, or were not available internationally. The contributing authors are experts from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus with more than 30 years of experience investigating Chernobyl-derived radionuclides in the environment. The content presented here can help to predict the evolution of environmental contamination following a nuclear accident, and specifically the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident.