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Author Mathuthu, M.; Uushona, V.; Indongo, V. url  openurl
  Title Radiological safety of groundwater around a uranium mine in Namibia Type Journal Article
  Year 2021 Publication Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 122 Issue Pages 102915  
  Keywords Groundwater, ICP-MS, Radiological hazard, Uranium mining  
  Abstract Uranium mining activities produce the main element used in nuclear energy production. However, it can also negatively affect the environment including groundwater by release of residues or effluent containing radioactive elements. The study investigated the concentration and radiological hazard of uranium in groundwater and seepage water from the tailings of a uranium mine in Namibia. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to assess the concentration of uranium in the groundwater and seepage water and the radiological hazards were determined. The radiological hazard indices Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), Absorbed dose (D), Annual Effective Dose equivalent (AEDE), External hazard index (Hex) and Internal hazard index (Hin) were determined and compared to limits recommended by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The calculated average value of D and Hin of groundwater is 108.11nGyh−1 and 1.26, respectively and are above the UNSCEAR values (55 nGyh−1 and 1). Further, the average values of Raeq, AEDE and Hex were below the recommended values. The isotopic ratio of uranium radionuclides in groundwater indicates that the uranium in the sampled groundwater is below 1 suggesting it is not natural uranium present but a possible contamination from the mine seepage. The radiological hazard parameters of the seepage water were above the recommended values and thus pose a radiation risk to human and environment.  
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  ISSN (up) 1474-7065 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ mathuthu_radiological_2021 Serial 160  
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Author Schwiede, M.; Duijnisveld, W.H.M.; Böttcher, J. url  openurl
  Title Investigation of processes leading to nitrate enrichment in soils in the Kalahari Region, Botswana Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 30 Issue 11 Pages 712-716  
  Keywords Nitrate, Arenosol soils, Semi-arid, Kalahari, Cattle, Chloride, Travel time  
  Abstract In Southern Africa elevated nitrate concentrations are observed in mostly uninhabited semi-arid areas. In the Kalahari of Botswana groundwater locally exhibits concentrations up to 600mg/l. It is assumed, that nitrate found in the groundwater originates mainly from nitrogen input and transformations in the soils. Our investigations in the Kalahari between Serowe and Orapa show that cattle raising is an important source for enhanced nitrate concentrations in the soils (Arenosols). But also in termite mounds very high nitrate stocks were found, and under natural vegetation (acacia trees and shrubs) nitrate concentrations were mostly unexpectedly high. This nitrate enrichment in the soils poses a serious threat to the groundwater quality. However, calculated soil water age distributions in the unsaturated zone clearly show that today’s nitrate pollution of the groundwater below the investigation area could originate from natural sources, but cannot be caused by the current land use for cattle raising.  
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  ISSN (up) 1474-7065 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the Millennium Development Goals: Managing Water for Peace and Prosperity Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Schwiede2005712 Serial 276  
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Author Rajfur, M.; Kłos, A.; Wacławek, M. url  openurl
  Title Sorption properties of algae Spirogyra sp. and their use for determination of heavy metal ions concentrations in surface water Type Journal Article
  Year 2010 Publication Bioelectrochemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 80 Issue 1 Pages 81-86  
  Keywords Biomonitoring, Heavy metal ions, Algae sp., Sorption kinetics, Langmuir isotherm  
  Abstract Kinetics of heavy-metal ions sorption by alga Spirogyra sp. was evaluated experimentally in the laboratory, using both the static and the dynamic approach. The metal ions – Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ – were sorbed from aqueous solutions of their salts. The static experiments showed that the sorption equilibria were attained in 30min, with 90-95% of metal ions sorbed in first 10min of each process. The sorption equilibria were approximated with the Langmuir isotherm model. The algae sorbed each heavy metal ions proportionally to the amount of this metal ions in solution. The experiments confirmed that after 30min of exposition to contaminated water, the concentration of heavy metal ions in the algae, which initially contained small amounts of these metal ions, increased proportionally to the concentration of metal ions in solution. The presented results can be used for elaboration of a method for classification of surface waters that complies with the legal regulations.  
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  ISSN (up) 1567-5394 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes A Selection of Papers presented at the 4th International Workshop on Surface Modification for Chemical and Biochemical Sensing (SMCBS 2009) Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Rajfur201081 Serial 283  
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Author Ola, I.; Drebenstedt, C.; Burgess, R.M.; Mensah, M.; Hoth, N.; Okoroafor, P.; Külls, C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Assessing petroleum contamination in parts of the Niger Delta based on a sub-catchment delineated field assessment Type Journal Article
  Year 2024 Publication Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 196 Issue 6 Pages 585  
  Keywords  
  Abstract The Niger Delta in Nigeria is a complex and heavily contaminated area with over 150,000 interconnected contaminated sites. This intricate issue is compounded by the region’s strong hydrological processes and high-energy environment, necessitating a science-based approach for effective contamination assessment and management. This study introduces the concept of sub-catchment contamination assessment and management, providing an overarching perspective rather than addressing each site individually. A description of the sub-catchment delineation process using the digital elevation model data from an impacted area within the Delta is provided. Additionally, the contamination status from the delineated sub-catchment is reported. Sediment, surface water and groundwater samples from the sub-catchment were analyzed for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively. Surface sediment TPH concentrations ranged from 129 to 20,600 mg/kg, with subsurface (2-m depth) concentrations from 15.5 to 729 mg/kg. PAHs in surface and subsurface sediment reached 9.55 mg/kg and 0.46 mg/kg, respectively. Surface water exhibited TPH concentrations from 10 to 620 mg/L, while PAHs ranged from below detection limits to 1 mg/L. Groundwater TPH concentrations spanned 3 to 473 mg/L, with total PAHs varying from below detection limits to 0.28 mg/L. These elevated TPH and PAH levels indicate extensive petroleum contamination in the investigated sediment and water environment. Along with severe impacts on large areas of mangroves and wetlands, comparison of TPH and PAH concentrations with sediment and water quality criteria found 54 to 100% of stations demonstrated exceedances, suggesting adverse biological effects on aquatic and sediment biota are likely occurring.  
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  ISSN (up) 1573-2959 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Ola2024 Serial 290  
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Author Hdeib, R.; Aouad, M. url  openurl
  Title Rainwater harvesting systems: An urban flood risk mitigation measure in arid areas Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Water Science and Engineering Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 16 Issue 3 Pages 219-225  
  Keywords Rainwater harvesting, Urban floods, Flood map, Hydrodynamic model, Built environment, Arid areas  
  Abstract Rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems have been developed to compensate for shortage in the water supply worldwide. Such systems are not very common in arid areas, particularly in the Gulf Region, due to the scarcity of rainfall and their reduced efficiency in covering water demand and reducing water consumption rates. In spite of this, RWH systems have the potential to reduce urban flood risks, particularly in densely populated areas. This study aimed to assess the potential use of RWH systems as urban flood mitigation measures in arid areas. Their utility in the retention of stormwater runoff and the reduction of water depth and extent were evaluated. The study was conducted in a residential area in Bahrain that experienced waterlogging after heavy rainfall events. The water demand patterns of housing units were analyzed, and the daily water balance for RWH tanks was evaluated. The effect of the implementation of RWH systems on the flood volume was evaluated with a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model. Flood simulations were conducted in several rainfall scenarios with different probabilities of occurrence. The results showed significant reductions in the flood depth and flood extent, but these effects were highly dependent on the rainfall intensity of the event. RWH systems are effective flood mitigation measures, particularly in urban arid regions short of proper stormwater control infrastructure, and they enhance the resilience of the built environment to urban floods.  
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  ISSN (up) 1674-2370 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Hdeib2023219 Serial 242  
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