Effects of riverbed extraction on physico-chemical parameters of Tinau River, Nepal

This study was carried out during June 2010 to March 2011 in the Tinau River, Nepal. The level of pollution was determined based on the protocol of US EPA (Habitat Assessment Protocol). Riverbed extraction was occurring in very large scale in this river since 2002. Five sampling stations were selected to carry out the study. Some specific physico-chemical parameters like Electrical Conductivity (EC), Lead (Pb), pH, Iron (Fe), Phosphorous (P), Ammonia (NH4+), Nitrate (NO3-), Arsenic (As), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were analyzed. Three major parameters (Pb, As and TDS) were closely related to the riverbed extraction and exceeded the limit set by WHO for drinking water. Similar relationship was also seen for EC; however its concentrations did not exceed the limit of WHO. The river water was slightly alkaline based on the pH value (ranging from 7.5 to 9).Other parameters did not seem to be related to the riverbed extraction. However, the nitrate and phosphorous concentrations were also high during the present investigation. Lack of similar studies prevented us to compare the result; however these findings provide the baseline data for future work

Distribuição de 137Cs em três solos representativos do estado de pernambuco Distribution of 137Cs in three representative soils of pernambuco state, Brazil

O 137Cs tem sido usado para quantificar perdas ou deposição de solo, com base em valores das concentrações em áreas de referência que tiveram pouca perturbação nas últimas décadas. Determinações em áreas assim ainda não foram feitas na região Nordeste do Brasil. Em Pernambuco, foram selecionadas três áreas com topografia plana, vegetação nativa e solos não perturbados, em Goiana, Sertânia e Araripina. Em cada área, foram marcados quatro pontos, distantes 20 a 50 m um do outro, e em cada um retiradas amostras de solo, em camadas consecutivas de 3 cm de espessura, até 30 cm. As atividades de 137Cs foram determinadas usando espectrometria gama com detector de germânio hiperpuro (HPGe). Os estoques médios de 137Cs (Bq m-2) foram de 71,6 ± 6,3 em Goiana, 64,0 ± 13,8 em Araripina e 95,5 ± 9,8 em Sertânia. Valores nessa faixa têm sido relatados na Paraíba e na Bahia e, mais altos, na região Sudeste, confirmando a diminuição dos estoques em áreas mais próximas do Equador. As maiores atividades ocorreram nas camadas superficiais, variando de 0,5 a 1,6 Bq kg-1, e decresceram linearmente com a profundidade, até os limites de detecção: 18 cm em Araripina, 15 cm em Goiana e 9 cm em Sertânia. Em Goiana, acima dos horizontes inorgânicos havia um horizonte orgânico, com a mais alta atividade (2,06 Bq kg-1). Atividades e estoque altos e menor aprofundamento em Sertânia poderiam ser explicados pela predominância de argilominerais 2:1, em contraposição à de argilominerais 1:1 nos outros locais. Houve correlações positivas entre a atividade de 137Cs e os valores de pH em água e KCl e correlação negativa com as concentrações de Al3+. Confirma-se que, em áreas de referência, a maior atividade do 137Cs está na camada superior, com decréscimos regulares ao longo do perfil do solo.<br>Contents of 137Cs have been used to quantify soil loss or accumulations, based on values of reference sites with little soil disturbance in the last decades. In Northeastern Brazil no such sites have been evaluated yet. Three areas with flat topography, native vegetation and undisturbed soil were selected in of Goiana, Araripina and Sertânia counties, state of Pernambuco. Four points in each area were marked at a distance of 20 to 50 m away from each other and soil samples were collected in 3 cm depth intervals, down to 30 cm. The 137Cs activities were determined using gamma spectrometry with a hyperpure germanium detector. Average contents of 137Cs (Bq m-2) were 71.6 ± 6.3 in Goiana, 64.0 ± 13.8 in Araripina and 95.5 ± 9.8 in Sertânia. Values in this range have been reported in Paraíba and Bahia, and higher ones in the Southeastern region, confirming the reduction of stocks in areas closer to the equator. The highest activities occurred in the surface layers, ranging from 0.5 to 1.6 Bq kg-1, and decreased linearly with depth until the detection limits: 18 cm in Araripina, 15 cm in Goiana, and 9 cm in Sertânia. In Goiana, the activity was highest (2.06 ± 1.0 Bq kg-1) in an organic horizon above a inorganic horizon. The high activities and stock and lower depth in Sertânia could be explained by the predominance of 2:1 clay minerals versus 1:1 clay minerals in the other areas. 137Cs activities were positively correlated with water and KCl pH values and negatively correlated with Al concentrations. The results confirm that, in the reference areas, 137Cs activities are highest in the surface layers, decreasing regularly down the soil profile