Distribution and environmental impacts of some radionuclides in sedimentary rocks at Wadi Naseib area, southwest Sinai, Egypt

The present study examines the natural radioactivity in some sedimentary rocks and their associated environmental impacts at Wadi Naseib area. Exposure rate (ER), dose rate (DR), radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), external hazard index (H(ex)), internal hazard index (H(in)) and radioactivity level index (I(gamma)) were calculated. Wadi Naseib area is covered with sedimentary rocks of early to late Paleozoic age. These rocks are classified into two types: mineralized and non-mineralized sediments. The radiometric investigations revealed that uranium and thorium contents reached up to 710 and 520 ppm, respectively, in the mineralized rocks. This was attributed to the presence of some secondary uranium minerals. All sediments had low values of eTh and K content. The exposure and dose rates exceeded public permissible values in the mineralized sediments. Exposure and dose rates were within the safety range for workers and the public in the non-mineralized sediments. The expected environmental impacts may be low due to the limited occurrence of U-mineralization and corresponding areas for radiation exposure. Some precautions and recommendations were suggested to avoid any possible environmental impacts from areas and/or raw materials of high intensity of natural radiation sources.     

Correlations between radiometric analysis of Quaternary deposits and the chronology of prehistoric settlements from the southeastern Brazilian coast

Natural gamma radiation measurements of sand deposits were carried out in order to study the chronology of prehistoric colonization of the Brazilian coast during the Holocene. The method employs thorium, uranium and potassium as tracers of the geological provenance of Quaternary deposits, where artificial shellmounds are found. The so-called sambaquis are archaeological settlements, characteristic of fisher-gatherers, specialized in the exploitation of shellfish. Our results show a considerable positive correlation between the formation of coastal deposits, based on cross plots of eTh/eU and eTh/K, and the antiquity of its prehistoric human occupation.     

近30年来长江口北支及口外沉积特征及输移趋势

近30 a来长江口北支在自然和人类活动影响下，沉积物特征及输移趋势发生显著变化。研究基于2015年和20世纪80年代沉积物粒度调查资料，通过粒度对比、趋势分析等方法，探讨长江口北支及口外沉积特征与输移趋势。结果表明：长江口北支及口外沉积物类型以粘土质粉砂、砂质粉砂和砂为主，近30 a来平均中值粒径减小20%左右。其中，北支口内粒径减小约30%，表明北支口内整体为淤积环境；口外0~10 m水深区域粒径增加约25%，表现为风浪和潮流作用下的侵蚀特征；10 m水深外，粒径略有减小，沉积特征基本稳定。从沉积物输移趋势上看，北支崇头至灵甸港河段，沉积物较粗，以径流作用下的沉积为主；灵甸港至三条港河段，沉积物输移趋势向下指向三条港，其中灵甸港至三和港河段边滩粗、主槽细，径潮流交汇作用明显；三条港以下河段，沉积物以海域来沙为主，颗粒细，输移趋势指向上游；北支口外，0~10 m水深区域，沉积物粗化，沉积物随水深增加变细，其中0~2 m水深区域，砂含量占比超过90%；10 m以深离岸水域，沉积物输移趋势不显著。流域来沙减少和北支围垦工程建设，致使沿岸泥沙补给不足，口外浅滩泥沙在风浪和潮流作用下，一部分随涨潮流向口内输运，一部分随落潮流向外海扩散，构成北支及口外沉积物输移趋势格局。     

墨水湖上覆水与沉积物间隙水中重金属的分布特征

武汉市墨水湖重金属污染严重，在我国内陆城市受污染湖泊中具代表性。应用 ICP MS对墨水湖上覆水和沉积物间隙水中的主要重金属元素进行了定量测试，并分析了其空间分布特征和变化规律。在此基础上，结合微量重金属界面扩散通量的计算，定量评估了其对上覆湖水水质的影响，以期为浅水湖泊的重金属污染防治提供科学依据。研究结果表明，墨水湖沉积物间隙水中重金属的浓度由高到低依次为：Mn>Fe>Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb；上覆水和沉积物间隙水中微量重金属浓度剖面均表现出明显相似的峰形分布特征，指示了湖泊沉积物中普遍存在微量重金属的沉积后再迁移现象；Fe和Mn在间隙水中的浓度远大于它们在上覆水中的浓度，其剖面分布特征主要是参与氧化还原反应的结果，Cu、Cr、Pb和Zn等的浓度也因受氧化还原过程及矿物平衡作用的影响而波动；微量重金属元素按照浓度梯度经孔隙水从沉积物向上覆水中扩散，并最终影响上覆水.     

A process-based model for the partitioning of soluble, suspended particulate and bed sediment fractions of plutonium and caesium in the eastern Irish Sea

A dynamic model of plutonium behaviour in the marine environment has been developed, representing the oxidation state distribution and partitioning of plutonium between the soluble, colloidal, suspended particulate and seabed sediment fractions. With simple re-parameterisation, this model can also be applied to (137)Cs. The model, which is calibrated and validated against field data, has been used to predict concentrations of Pu(alpha) and (137)Cs in both water and seabed sediments from the vicinity of the Sellafield Ltd. reprocessing plant in Cumbria, UK. The model predicts that sediment reworking and transport are the key environmental processes as the Sellafield Pu(alpha) and (137)Cs discharge continues to decline. Inventory calculations generated by the model are consistent with previous estimations. For a hypothetical post-discharge scenario, the concentrations of these radionuclides in both seawater and surface sediments are predicted to decrease sharply, concurrent with a downward vertical migration of the activity retained in sediments.     

Assessment of vulnerability of the eastern Cretan beaches (Greece) to sea level rise

Beaches are both sensitive and critical components of the coastal systems, as they are particularly vulnerable to environmental change (e.g., the sea level rise) and form valuable coastal ecosystems and economic resources. The objective of the present study has been to record the spatial characteristics and other attributes (e.g., topography, sediments and accessibility) of the 71 beaches of the E. Crete (Eastern Mediterranean) that are either already developed or have a reasonable development potential and assess their erosion risk under sea level rise. Beach retreats are predicted by ensembles of six cross-shore (1D) analytical and numerical morphodynamic models, set up/forced on the basis of collected/collated information and three sea level rise scenarios (0.26, 0.82 and 1.86 m); these retreats are then compared with the recorded maximum (dry) beach widths. Projections by the unified ensemble suggest that, in the case of a 0.26 m rise, 80 % of the examined beaches are to retreat by more than 20 and 16 % by more than 50 % of their maximum dry width. In the case of a 0.82 m rise, 72 % of the tested beaches are predicted to retreat by more than 50 % of their dry width and 21 % by a distance at least equal to their observed maximum dry widths. A sea level rise of 1.86 m represents a ‘doom’ scenario, as 75 % of the beaches are predicted to retreat by more than their maximum width. These results may be conservative, as other significant beach erosion factors (e.g., decreasing beach sediment supply) have not been considered.     

长江口南汇咀近岸水域泥沙输移途径

南汇咀近岸水域位于长江口和杭州湾的交汇带 ,其动力条件、泥沙运移、沉积过程和地貌演变复杂。根据长江口南汇咀近岸水域的水文泥沙观测和沉积地貌等资料 ,通过综合分析研究 ,探讨了长江口入海水沙在南汇咀近岸水域与杭州湾的交换和泥沙输移途径。研究结果表明 ,沿南汇水下沙咀存在一个泥沙通道 ,长江口水沙在多种动力因子的驱动下经过该通道直接进入杭州湾 ,参与杭州湾水沙的周期变化。通过进一步研究还发现 ,长江口泥沙以异重流的方式向杭州湾输移     

长江口南汇咀近岸水域泥沙输移途径

南汇咀近岸水域位于长江口和杭州湾的交汇带,其动力条件、泥沙运移、沉积过程和地貌演变复杂。根据长江口南汇咀近岸水域的水主尼沙观测和沉积地貌等资料,通过综合分析研究,探讨了长江口入海水沙在南汇咀近岸水域与杭州的交换和泥沙输移途径。研究结果表明,沿南汇水下沙咀存在一个泥沙通道,长江口水沙在多种动力因子的驱动下经过该通道直接进入杭州湾,参与杭州湾水沙的周期变化。通过进一步研究还发展,长江口泥沙以异重流的方式向杭州湾输移。     

近期长江口崇明岛周边岸滩沉积特征及影响机制

大河入海河口由于巨量泥沙堆积以及潮汐作用,往往发育着河口沙岛。崇明岛是世界上典型的河口沙岛,近年来,随着长江流域泥沙来源锐减以及河口大型水利工程建设等,给崇明岛周边岸滩沉积环境带来深刻影响。研究依据2015年9月～2018年4月对崇明岛周边14个岸滩断面的表层沉积物采样数据和定点水文观测资料,分析崇明岛周边岸滩沉积环境特征和区域性差异,探讨不同岸滩断面沉积过程和作用机制。结果表明:崇明岛岸滩沉积物以砂质粉砂和粉砂质砂为主,沉积物中值粒径总体表现为南岸北岸东滩,平均为48μm。南、北岸岸滩总体表现为坡陡、滩窄,沉积物自西向东逐渐变细的特征,北岸岸滩坡度略缓,南岸崇头至庙镇之间存在局部细颗粒物质沉积区;东部岸滩滩宽、坡缓,整体表现为"北细南粗"的沉积特征。岸滩沉积断面上,上细下粗,高潮滩处粘土组分含量相对较高,水下斜坡和河槽底部粉砂含量较高。南、北支河势演变形成了崇明岛"南坍北涨"沉积环境的分布格局;径、潮流作用对岸滩断面沉积物分布特征影响明显;风浪对崇明东滩浅滩沉积物具有强烈的分选作用;潮滩植被主要影响细颗粒沉积物在潮间带的分布;流域来沙减少对崇明东滩前沿沉积环境趋势影响显著。     

Distribution and hydrodynamic model of the Keumdong oil spill in Kwangyang Bay, Korea

Oil concentrations in the seawater, seabed sediments, and shoreline sediments were measured from the samples collected 165 days after the Keumdong oil spill accident, which had occurred in Kwangyang Bay of the South Sea, Korea in September 1993. Distribution patterns of the concentrations in the seabed and shoreline sediments have allowed us to hindcast the transport and fate of the spilled oil. Overall, the patterns agree better with the southward (seaward) surface water circulation than with the northward (landward) bottom water circulation over the region. Rapid, initial dispersal of the spilled oil to the south and its subsequent grounding onto the intertidal seabed sediments, as well as onto the shorelines, appear to have made ineffective the subsurface oil transport by the bottom current.     

Distribution and hydrodynamic model of the Keumdong oil spill in Kwangyang Bay, Korea

Oil concentrations in the seawater, seabed sediments, and shoreline sediments were measured from the samples collected 165 days after the Keumdong oil spill accident, which had occurred in Kwangyang Bay of the South Sea, Korea in September 1993. Distribution patterns of the concentrations in the seabed and shoreline sediments have allowed us to hindcast the transport and fate of the spilled oil. Overall, the patterns agree better with the southward (seaward) surface water circulation than with the northward (landward) bottom water circulation over the region. Rapid, initial dispersal of the spilled oil to the south and its subsequent grounding onto the intertidal seabed sediments, as well as onto the shorelines, appear to have made ineffective the subsurface oil transport by the bottom current.     

A modelling study on 137Cs and 239,240Pu behaviour in the Alborán Sea, western Mediterranean

A model for simulating the dispersion processes of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in the Alborán Sea is described. The model consists of two hydrodynamic models: a 2D depth-averaged model and a two-layer model which provide tidal and geostrophic currents, respectively; a sediment transport model which provides suspended particle concentrations and sedimentation rates over the domain; and the radionuclide dispersion model including interactions of dissolved radionuclides with suspended particles and bed sediments. These processes are formulated using kinetic transfer coefficients. The hydrodynamic and sediment models are run and validated in advance, and their results are then used to simulate the dispersion of 137Cs and 239,240Pu, which are introduced from atmospheric fallout. Radionuclide concentrations in the water column and distributions in bed sediments have been compared with measurements in the sea. Both set of data are, in general, in agreement. The model has also been applied to calculate radionuclide fluxes through the Strait of Gibraltar. These computed fluxes have been compared with previous estimations as well.     

Historical area and shoreline change of reef islands around Tarawa Atoll, Kiribati

Low-lying reef islands on atolls appear to be threatened by impacts of observed and anticipated sea-level rise. This study examines changes in shoreline position on the majority of reef islands on Tarawa Atoll, the capital of Kiribati. It investigates short-term reef-island area and shoreline change over 30 years determined by comparing 1968 and 1998 aerial photography using geographical information systems. Reef islands have substantially increased in size, gaining about 450 ha, driven largely by reclamations on urban South Tarawa, accounting for 360 ha (~80 % of the net change). Widespread erosion and high average accretion rates appear to be related to disjointed reclamations. In rural North Tarawa, most reef islands show stability, with localised changes in areas such as embayments, sand spits and beaches adjacent to, or facing, inter-island channels. Shoreline changes in North Tarawa are largely influenced by natural factors, whereas those in South Tarawa are predominantly affected by human factors and seasonal variability associated with El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, serious concerns are raised for the future of South Tarawa reef islands, as evidence shows that widespread erosion along the ocean and lagoon shorelines is primarily due to human activities and further encroachment onto the active beach will disrupt longshore sediment transport, increasing erosion and susceptibility of the reef islands to anticipated sea-level rise. Appropriate adaptation measures, such as incorporating coastal processes and seasonal variability associated with ENSO when designing coastal structures and developing appropriate management plans, are required, including prohibiting beach mining practices near settlements.     

234U and 238U isotopes in water and sediments of the southern Baltic

The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of 234U and 238U and calculate the values of the 234U/238U activity ratio in waters and sediments from the various regions of the southern Baltic Sea: Gdańsk Deep, S?upsk Narrow and Bornholm Deep. The concentration of uranium in analysed sediments from southern Baltic increase with core depth to what probably is connected with diffusion from sediments to water through interstitial water, where uranium concentration is much higher than in bottom water. The highest concentrations of uranium were observed in sediments of S?upsk Narrow (0.66-7.11 mg kg(-1) d.w.) and S?upsk Bank (0.61-6.93 mg kg(-1) d.w.), the lowest in sediments from Bornholm Deep (0.54-3.77 mg kg(-1) d.w.). The 234U/238U activity ratio results indicated that the sedimentation of terrigenic material and Vistula River transport are the general sources of uranium in the southern Baltic sediments. The value of 234U/238U activity ratio in sediments from reduction areas from southern Baltic (Gdańsk Deep and Bornholm Deep) indicated that reduction process of U(VI) to U(IV) and removing of anthropogenic uranium from seawater to sediments constitutes a small part only in Gdańsk Deep.     

Invariance of isotope ratios of lithogenic radionuclides: more evidence for their use as sediment source tracers

Activities of radionuclides in the 238U (230Th, 226Ra, 210Pb) and 232Th (232Th, 228Th, 228Ra) decay series were determined in sediments from an east Texas watershed and examined with isotope ratios and compared to particulate organic carbon (POC), % fines (<63 microm) and total concentrations of Al, Fe and Mn. The objective was to elucidate the presence or absence of relationships affecting the effectiveness of these radionuclides in modeling sediment transport. Strong positive correlations were observed between radionuclides and Mn (Th) and % fines (Ra and Th). Isotope ratios effectively reduce these influences, supporting the contention that isotope ratios offset extrinsic variability in terrestrial sediments. Strong associations of 210Pbxs (excess 210Pb) and 226Ra/230Th with POC agree with data from marine and terrestrial settings, indicating that the role of POC in isotope fractionation, transport and sequestration merits further investigation.     

长江口南港北槽河床底质时空分布特征分析

在前人研究及大量长时间、连续、大范围河床底质现场采样资料的基础上,对长江口南港北槽河床底质时空分布特征进行了初步分析,并从河床底质的角度对长江口深水航道回淤物质来源进行了初步的探讨。研究表明:长江口河床质具有总体较细、上粗下细以及时空分布不均匀等特点;南港北槽河床质的变化与风浪掀沙、底沙过境、洪枯季变化等因素有关;南港段河床质季节性变化大于北槽;南港河段河床底质有细化的趋势;长江口深水航道回淤物质偏粗且与周边河床质组成相近,航道回淤应关注滩槽泥沙以近底高含沙水流方式的交换。     

Characterization of plutonium in deep-sea sediments of the Sulu and South China Seas

Anthropogenic Pu isotopes are important geochemical tracers for sediment studies. Their distributions and sources in the water columns as well as the sediments of the North Pacific have been intensively studied; however, information about Pu in the Southeast Asian seas is limited. To study the isotopic composition of Pu, and thus to identify its sources, we collected sediment core samples in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea during the KH-96-5 Cruise of the R/V Hakuho Maru. We analysed the activities of ^239+240Pu and the atom ratios of ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu using isotope dilution sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). The ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios in the sediments of both areas (inventory weighted mean: 0.251 for the South China Sea and 0.280 for the Sulu Sea) were higher than the global fallout value (0.178 ± 0.019), suggesting the existence of Pu from the Pacific Proving Grounds in the North Pacific. Low inventories of ^239+240Pu in sediments were observed in the South China Sea (3.75 Bq/m²) and the Sulu Sea (1.38 Bq/m²). Most of the Pu input is still present in the water column. Scavenging and benthic mixing processes were considered to be the main processes controlling the distribution of Pu in the deep-sea sediments of both study areas.     

上海市滩涂湿地生态系统健康评价及成因分析

上海沿江沿海地区是我国重要的滩涂湿地分布区,其滩涂湿地生态系统健康对上海乃至长三角地区的生态安全具有重要意义。基于“压力-状态-响应（PSR）”模型,构建了上海市滩涂湿地生态系统健康评价指标体系,采用熵权综合评价法对研究区域生态系统健康状况进行评价,并设定了相应的健康评价分级标准。结果表明：杭州湾北沿边滩、南汇边滩、浦东边滩、宝山边滩、长兴岛周缘边滩、横沙岛周缘边滩、崇明南滩、崇明北滩均处于亚健康状态;崇明西滩处于较健康状态;而崇明东滩和九段沙湿地处于健康状态。过度围垦、环境污染、互花米草（Spartina alterniflora Loisel）〖JP2〗入侵等胁迫因子是上海市滩涂湿地面临的主要压力。在多重胁迫因子作用下,近30 a〖JP〗来上海滩涂湿地面积锐减,生态系统结构改变,生态功能退化。应重点控制滩涂开发强度,减少污染物排放,并加强对上海市滩涂湿地尤其是大陆边滩的保护,以维护湿地生态系统健康,保障区域生态安全     

Characteristics, spatial distribution and vertical profile of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in the coastal environment of North Sinai

Radionuclide concentrations of beach and dune sand from various sites in Al-Arish city and surrounding area, North Sinai, Egypt, were measured. The sampling sites included locations in the local harbor, Al-Arish valley and Zaranik protected area. The results indicate that the activities of the products of (232)Th and (226)Ra series in samples from the harbor and along the beach were higher than those from non-coastal sites. The activity concentrations of (232)Th for beach sand ranged from 2.3 to 506.5 Bq/kg with an average of 83.4 Bq/kg, while that for dune sand ranged from 2.2 to 15.1 Bq/kg with an average of 6.4 Bq/kg. The average activity concentration of (226)Ra for beach sand was 56.0 Bq/kg (2.9-261.5 Bq/kg), while that for dune sand was 6.5 Bq/kg (3.0-14.7 Bq/kg). The average activity concentrations of (40)K for beach and dune sand were 88.1 Bq/kg and 178.4 Bq/kg, respectively. Six depth profiles in the harbor area were measured up to a depth of 1m within more than two years. These sets of measurements allowed the determination of the migration rate of black sand to be 0.094 cm/day. Samples with the smallest grain size (<0.2 mm) were found to have the highest level of activities, which were attributed to their high content of black sand. No risk exists for public health based on the calculated effective dose equivalent and the recommended limit of 5 mSv/y. On the other hand, local children and adults may receive doses higher than this recommended limit in two locations in the Zaranik protected area according to a model developed in this study.     

鄱阳湖南矶湿地沉积物粒级组成特征及搬运趋势分析

沉积物的粒级组成特征对于分析湿地沉积环境和搬运趋势有着重要意义。基于自然保护区沉积物样品，利用粒度分析、Shepard三角图、C-M图、端元分析和GSTA搬运趋势模型，研究分析了鄱阳湖南矶湿地沉积物的粒级组成特征、沉积类型、动力环境和泥沙搬运趋势。结果表明，鄱阳湖南矶湿地沉积物主要以细粉砂为主，平均值为55.35%。沉积物粒度参数中平均粒径均值为5.24Φ，空间分布上具有由西南至东北Φ值逐渐减小的趋势。沉积物质地类型主要为粉砂、粘土质粉砂、砂质粉砂和粉砂质砂，其中粉砂约占62.5%。端元分析的结果显示EM1和EM2可能与鄱阳湖本身湖流带来的沉积物搬运有关，EM3则指示了赣江泥沙来源，EM4可能与局地小环境的水动力变化有关。鄱阳湖南矶湿地沉积物粒径趋势格局以东部向西部、北部向南部最为显著，鄱阳湖南矶湿地是在赣江与鄱阳湖之间复杂交互作用下形成。