Evaluating the effectiveness of Mangrove rehabilitation: A novel approach for sustainable coastal management.

We used UAV-LiDAR technology and other advanced remote sensing techniques to evaluate mangrove rehabilitation projects along the eroding shoreline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand. Our results delineate the necessary biophysical conditions for successfully rehabilitating mangroves, establishing optimal conditions under which mangroves can naturally re-establish and thrive. Furthermore, we investigated the effectiveness of different coastal defense structures in fostering mangrove recolonization.

Effectiveness of grey and green engineered solutions for protecting the low-lying muddy coast of the Chao Phraya Delta, Thailand.

Coastal protection measures can be categorized into grey and green solutions in terms of their ecosystem impacts. As the use of grey solutions has become a serious issue due to environmental consequences during the last few decades, green/nature-based solutions have become prioritized. This study evaluates the effectiveness of grey and green solutions applied along the eastern Chao Phraya Delta (ECPD) based on historical shoreline change analysis and coastal observations using Light Detection and Ranging technology.

A global assessment of the mixed layer in coastal sediments and implications for carbon storage.

The sediment-water interface in the coastal ocean is a highly dynamic zone controlling biogeochemical fluxes of greenhouse gases, nutrients, and metals. Processes in the sediment mixed layer (SML) control the transfer and reactivity of both particulate and dissolved matter in coastal interfaces. Here we map the global distribution of the coastal SML based on excess Pb (Pb) profiles and then use a neural network model to upscale these observations.

An analysis of the factors responsible for the shoreline retreat of the Chao Phraya Delta (Thailand).

Deltas are inherently low-lying structures and thus subject to large threats due to sea level rise, erosion and other coastal processes. The shorelines in many deltas around the world are now retreating and most cases appear to result from a decreasing sediment supply as a consequence of upstream dam construction. We present here results of an investigation of riverine sediment fluxes, coastal retreat, and coastal sediment accumulation in the Chao Phraya River and Delta (Thailand).

Does submarine groundwater discharge contribute to summer hypoxia in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary?

The Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary (CJE) is one of the largest and most intense seasonal hypoxic zones in the world. Here we examine the possibility that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) may contribute to the summer hypoxia. Spatial distributions of bottom water Rn suggest a hotspot discharge area in the northern section of the CJE.

Tracing underground sources of pollution to coastal waters off Map Ta Phut, Rayong, Thailand.

We explored the possibility that an underground pathway, "submarine groundwater discharge" (SGD), may contribute to the observed coastal contamination from a large industrial complex on the Gulf of Thailand. Three surveys were performed to map the area for the natural groundwater tracers radon, thoron and salinity. The results from all three surveys were internally consistent showing a point source adjacent to a large pier that serves the complex.

Applications of radon and radium isotopes to determine submarine groundwater discharge and flushing times in Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil.

Todos os Santos Bay (BTS) is the 2nd largest bay in Brazil and an important resource for the people of the State of Bahia. We made measurements of radon and radium in selected areas of the bay to evaluate if these tracers could provide estimates of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and flushing times of the Paraguaçu Estuary and BTS. We found that there were a few areas along the eastern and northeastern shorelines that displayed relatively high radon and low salinities, indicating possible sites of enhanced SGD.

Optimizing laboratory-based radon flux measurements for sediments.

Radon flux via diffusion from sediments and other materials may be determined in the laboratory by circulating air through the sample and a radon detector in a closed loop. However, this approach is complicated by the necessity of having to determine the total air volume in the system and accounting for any small air leaks that can arise if using extended measurement periods. We designed a simple open-loop configuration that includes a measured mass of wet sediment and water inside a gas-tight reaction flask connected to a drying system and a radon-in-air analyzer.

Understanding the Radioactive Ingrowth and Decay of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in the Environment: An Analysis of Produced Fluids from the Marcellus Shale.

Background: The economic value of unconventional natural gas resources has stimulated rapid globalization of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. However, natural radioactivity found in the large volumes of "produced fluids" generated by these technologies is emerging as an international environmental health concern. Current assessments of the radioactivity concentration in liquid wastes focus on a single element-radium.

Determination of air-loop volume and radon partition coefficient for measuring radon in water sample.

A simple method for the direct determination of the air-loop volume in a RAD7 system as well as the radon partition coefficient was developed allowing for an accurate measurement of the radon activity in any type of water. The air-loop volume may be measured directly using an external radon source and an empty bottle with a precisely measured volume. The partition coefficient and activity of radon in the water sample may then be determined via the RAD7 using the determined air-loop volume.

Tracking suspended particle transport via radium isotopes ((226)Ra and (228)Ra) through the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system.

Suspended particles in rivers can carry metals, nutrients, and pollutants downstream which can become bioactive in estuaries and coastal marine waters. In river systems with multiple sources of both suspended particles and contamination sources, it is important to assess the hydrologic conditions under which contaminated particles can be delivered to downstream ecosystems. The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system in the southeastern United States represents an ideal system to study these hydrologic impacts on particle transport through a heavily-impacted river (the Chattahoochee River) and one much less impacted by anthropogenic activities (the Flint River).

Spatial distribution of submarine groundwater discharge and associated nutrients within a local coastal area.

To understand the local-scale distribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and dissolved nutrients, a multiple-detector (222)Rn monitoring survey was undertaken along the Mt. Chokai volcanic coast in northern Japan. The surveys revealed that the highest SGD (calculated to be 6.

Air-water partitioning of 222Rn and its dependence on water temperature and salinity.

Radon is useful as a tracer of certain geophysical processes in marine and aquatic environments. Recent applications include detection of groundwater discharges into surface waters and assessment of air/sea gas piston velocities. Much of the research performed in the past decade has relied on continuous measurements made in the field using a radon stripping unit connected to a radon-in-air detection system.

What is the role of fresh groundwater and recirculated seawater in conveying nutrients to the coastal ocean?

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is a major process operating at the land-sea interface. Quantifying the SGD nutrient loads and the marine/terrestrial controls of this transport is of high importance, especially in oligotrophic seas such as the eastern Mediterranean. The fluxes of nutrients in groundwater discharging from the seafloor at Dor Bay (southeastern Mediterranean) were studied in detail using seepage meters.

Inferring coastal processes from regional-scale mapping of 222Radon and salinity: examples from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

The radon isotope 222Rn and salinity in coastal surface water were mapped on regional scales, to improve the understanding of coastal processes and their spatial variability. Radon was measured with a surface-towed, continuously recording multi-detector setup on a moving vessel. Numerous processes and locations of land-ocean interaction along the Central Great Barrier Reef coastline were identified and interpreted based on the data collected.

Improved automated analysis of radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) in natural waters.

Natural radon ((222)Rn) and thoron ((220)Rn) can be used as tracers of various chemical and physical processes in the environment. We present here results from an extended series of laboratory experiments intended to improve the automated analysis of (222)Rn and (220)Rn in water using a modified RAD AQUA (Durridge Inc.) system.

Erratum to "Integrated research on subsurface environments in Asian urban areas".

The RIHN project "Human impacts on urban subsurface environments" aims to suggest improved development plans of urban centers for human well-being. This will be done by examining reconstructed past changes in urban environments, and by developing integrated nature-social models. Subsurface environmental indicators are developed from the points of view of: (1) human activities; (2) climate change; and (3) character of urban development and social policies.

Submarine ground water discharge driven by tidal pumping in a heterogeneous aquifer.

Submarine ground water discharge (SGD) is now recognized as an important water pathway between land and sea. It is difficult to quantitatively predict SGD owing to its significant spatial and temporal variability. This study focuses on quantitative estimation of SGD caused by tidally induced sea water recirculation and a terrestrial hydraulic gradient.

Underground sources of nutrient contamination to surface waters in Bangkok, Thailand.

Radon-222 is very concentrated in groundwater relative to surface waters and thus serves as an effective groundwater discharge tracer. We observed spikes in radon data from an earlier (2004) survey of the Chao Phraya River that appeared to correspond to locations where major canals ("klongs") enter the river. We returned in 2006 and conducted more detailed surveys along some of the main klongs on the western (Thonburi) side of the Chao Phraya to evaluate this possibility.

An efficient and simple method for measuring (226)Ra using the scintillation cell in a delayed coincidence counting system (RaDeCC).

A delayed coincidence counter (RaDeCC), developed to determine ultra-low levels of (223)Ra (half life = 11.1 days) and (224)Ra (half life = 3.6 days) in seawater, was adapted to measure (226)Ra (half life = 1622 years).

Integrated research on subsurface environments in Asian urban areas.

The RIHN project "Human impacts on urban subsurface environments" aims to suggest improved development plans of urban centers for human well-being. This will be done by examining reconstructed past changes in urban environments, and by developing integrated nature-social models. Subsurface environmental indicators are developed from the points of view of: (1) human activities; (2) climate change; and (3) character of urban development and social policies.

Evaluating ground water-sea water interactions via resistivity and seepage meters.

We investigated submarine ground water discharge and salt water-fresh water interactions at two locations along the shoreline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand to evaluate mechanisms of water and material transport into the coastal zone. Our data set illustrates the value of using a combined approach consisting of automatic seepage meters to monitor flow rates while assessing the conductivity (salinity) of the subterranean fluids via remote resistivity measurements. Negative correlations between electric conductivities of fluids measured directly inside seepage meter chambers and the remotely assessed resistivities of subsurface pore water show that such measurements may evaluate the spatial distribution of flow rates as well as the subterranean water quality in the coastal zone.

Enrichment of excess 210Po in anoxic ponds.

We have investigated the cycling of naturally occurring 210Po in waters from seasonally anoxic Pond B (South Carolina) and permanently anoxic Jellyfish Lake (Palau Islands, western Pacific Ocean). The maximum 210Po activity in Pond B was about 14 mBq L(-1) during summer. This activity was much higher than its parent 210Pb activity, indicating excess 210Po inputs from bottom sediments.

Sample bottle design improvements for radon emanation analysis of natural waters.

The "radon emanation" method of analysis for Rn and Ra in natural waters has been used by scientists for more than 30 years. We have examined the use of a new plastic bottle design as a viable option and improvement to traditional glass designs. The advantages of the new design over that used previously in our laboratory include a larger volume, lower blank, less fragile nature, and ease of handling in the field.