Publications by authors named "Charles J B Gowing"
Article Synopsis
- - Land degradation from soil erosion is a significant global issue, especially in developing countries where resources are limited, and using fallout radionuclides (FRNs) can help assess soil erosion rates.
- - This research focused on using plutonium (Pu) as an effective soil erosion tracer in western Kenya, finding it superior to traditional isotopes like lead (Pb) and cesium (Cs) in accuracy and reliability.
- - The study revealed that Pu can effectively identify soil erosion patterns, with its maximum activity occurring between 3 and 12 cm depths, making it a valuable resource for developing strategies to address land degradation in the region.
River islands (Ait or Eyot) within the inner tidal Thames serve as unique recorders of current and historical estuarine chemical pollution. Sediment cores from Chiswick Ait were assessed for contamination using Microtox® solid phase bioassay, stable isotopes (δC, δN), heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Microtox® classified these sediments as non-toxic to moderately toxic and bulk isotopes identified a change in organic input.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding the risks of a developing unconventional hydrocarbons industry, including shale gas, to the chemical quality of surface water and groundwater involves firstly establishing baseline compositions against which any future changes can be assessed. Contaminants of geogenic origin are of particular interest and radon has been identified as one potential contaminant from shale sources. Robust measurement and monitoring of radon in water at environmental concentrations is essential for ensuring protection of water sources and maintaining public confidence.
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