7 research outputs found
A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Biogeochemistry of Dry Riverbeds Through the Lens of Soil Science
Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) encompass fluvial ecosystems that eventually stop flowing and run dry at some point in space and time. During the dry phase, channels of IRES consist mainly of dry riverbeds (DRBs), prevalent yet widely unexplored ecotones between dry and wet phases that can strongly influence the biogeochemistry of fluvial networks. DRBs are often overlooked because they do not strictly belong to either domain of soil or freshwater science. Due to this dual character of DRBs, we suggest that concepts and knowledge from soil science can be used to expand the understanding of IRES biogeochemistry. Based on this idea, we propose that DRBs can be conceptually understood as early stage soils exhibiting many similarities with soils through two main forces: i) time since last sediment transport event, and ii) the development status of stabilizing structures (e.g. soil crusts and/or vascular plants). Our analysis suggests that while DRBs and soils may differ in master physical attributes (e.g. soil horizons vs fluvial sedimentary facies), they become rapidly comparable in terms of microbial communities and biogeochemical processes. We further propose that drivers of DRBs biogeochemistry are similar to those of soils and, hence, concepts and methods used in soil science are transferable to DRBs research. Finally, our paper presents future research directions to advance the knowledge of DRBs and to understand their role in the biogeochemistry of intermittent fluvial networks
Size Distributions of Airborne Radionuclides from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident at Several Places in Europe
Segregation
and radioactive analysis of aerosols according to their
aerodynamic size were performed in France, Austria, the Czech Republic,
Poland, Germany, and Greece after the arrival of contaminated air
masses following the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear
power plant in March 2011. On the whole and regardless of the location,
the highest activity levels correspond either to the finest particle
fraction or to the upper size class. Regarding anthropogenic radionuclides,
the activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) ranged between 0.25
and 0.71 μm for <sup>137</sup>Cs, from 0.17 to 0.69 μm
for <sup>134</sup>Cs, and from 0.30 to 0.53 μm for <sup>131</sup>I, thus in the “accumulation mode” of the ambient aerosol
(0.1–1 μm). AMAD obtained for the naturally occurring
radionuclides <sup>7</sup>Be and <sup>210</sup>Pb ranged from 0.20
to 0.53 μm and 0.29 to 0.52 μm, respectively. Regarding
spatial variations, AMADs did not show large differences from place
to place compared with what was observed concerning bulk airborne
levels registered on the European scale. When air masses arrived in
Europe, AMADs for <sup>131</sup>I were about half those for cesium
isotopes. Higher AMAD for cesium probably results from higher AMAD
observed at the early stage of the accident in Japan. Lower AMAD for <sup>131</sup>I can be explained by the adsorption of gaseous iodine on
particles of all sizes met during transport, especially for small
particles. Additionally, weathering conditions (rain) encountered
during transport and in Europe in March and April contributed to the
equilibrium of the gaseous to total <sup>131</sup>I ratio. AMAD slightly
increased with time for <sup>131</sup>I whereas a clear decreasing
trend was observed with the AMADs for <sup>137</sup>Cs and <sup>134</sup>Cs. On average, the associated geometric standard deviation (GSD)
appeared to be higher for iodine than for cesium isotopes. These statements
also bear out a gaseous <sup>131</sup>I transfer on ambient particles
of a broad size range during transport. Highest weighted activity
levels were found on the 0.49–0.95 μm and on the 0.18–0.36
μm size ranges in France and in Poland, respectively. The contribution
from resuspension of old deposited <sup>137</sup>Cs was assessed for
the coarse particle fractions only for the first sampling week
GHSI emergency radionuclide bioassay laboratory network - summary of the second exercise
GHSI EMERGENCY RADIONUCLIDE BIOASSAY LABORATORY NETWORK – SUMMARY OF THE SECOND EXERCISE
Size distributions of airborne radionuclides from the fukushima nuclear accident at several places in europe
International audienceSegregation and radioactive analysis of aerosols according to their aerodynamic size were performed in France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Greece after the arrival of contaminated air masses following the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in March 2011. On the whole and regardless of the location, the highest activity levels correspond either to the finest particle fraction or to the upper size class. Regarding anthropogenic radionuclides, the activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) ranged between 0.25 and 0.71 μm for 137Cs, from 0.17 to 0.69 μm for 134Cs, and from 0.30 to 0.53 μm for 131I, thus in the "accumulation mode" of the ambient aerosol (0.1-1 μm). AMAD obtained for the naturally occurring radionuclides 7Be and 210Pb ranged from 0.20 to 0.53 μm and 0.29 to 0.52 μm, respectively. Regarding spatial variations, AMADs did not show large differences from place to place compared with what was observed concerning bulk airborne levels registered on the European scale. When air masses arrived in Europe, AMADs for 131I were about half those for cesium isotopes. Higher AMAD for cesium probably results from higher AMAD observed at the early stage of the accident in Japan. Lower AMAD for 131I can be explained by the adsorption of gaseous iodine on particles of all sizes met during transport, especially for small particles. Additionally, weathering conditions (rain) encountered during transport and in Europe in March and April contributed to the equilibrium of the gaseous to total 131I ratio. AMAD slightly increased with time for 131I whereas a clear decreasing trend was observed with the AMADs for 137Cs and 134Cs. On average, the associated geometric standard deviation (GSD) appeared to be higher for iodine than for cesium isotopes. These statements also bear out a gaseous 131I transfer on ambient particles of a broad size range during transport. Highest weighted activity levels were found on the 0.49-0.95 μm and on the 0.18-0.36 μm size ranges in France and in Poland, respectively. The contribution from resuspension of old deposited 137Cs was assessed for the coarse particle fractions only for the first sampling week. © 2013 American Chemical Society