Tools based on nuclear and isotopic techniques for the management of threatened coastal ecosystems
Keywords:
radionuclides, stable isotopes, estuaries, contaminantsAbstract
Elucidation of in situ environmental processes is the key to effective ecosystem management. However, due to the complexity of coastal ecosystems, few tools are available to determine the inter-relationships and rates of these events. It is only when all of the important variables are understood and computationally described that effective ecological risk analysis can be accomplished. Model packages already exist which describe and predict specific coastal processes and further refinement of subroutines and user-interfaces has some value; however the truly significant advances lie in synergistic integration of different codes. Predictive ecological risk analysis requires transport models predicting contaminant concentrations under a range of environmental scenarios and bioaccumulation and trophic-transfer models using keystone species (or critical groups) identified by models elucidating trophic structure. In an attempt to elucidate natural processes, or solve environmental problems, stable and radioisotope tracers have a number of advantages over conventional techniques. Stable isotope studies replace visual observations of prey-predator interactions with statistically interpretable chemical data. Radiotracers provide real time kinetic data on uptake and transfer of specific contaminants and environmental transport processes. The unique assemblage and application of these nuclear and isotopic environmental probes will greatly assist in effective ecological risk assessment of present situations and the resource-economic evaluation of proposed management options. The nuclear-based technologies developed from studies undertaken in the Sydney (Australia) environs are transferred to developing countries via the IAEA/Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) Project: Improving Regional Capacity for Assessment, Planning and Responding to Aquatic Environmental Emergencies (RAS/8/095). The IAEA Project objectives were to improve the regional capacity for the management of aquatic radiological and environmental risks and to develop capabilities in the RCA countries to assess, plan and respond to pollution events in aquatic environments. Expert missions supported national projects in individual Member States, further developing and transferring skills and technologies.
References
Alquezar, R. 2005. The impact of heavy metals on the smooth toadfish Tetractenos glaber, PhD Thesis Sydney, Australia: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Technology.
Baxter, M. S. 1993. Environmental radioactivity: a perspective on industrial contributions. IAEA Bulletin, 2: 33–38.
Birch, G. F. and Taylor, S. E. 2005. The contaminant status of Sydney Harbour sediments, Sydney: University of Sydney Press. ISBN 0-9752486-0-1
Brown, P. L., Haworth, A., Sharland, S. M. and Tweed, C. J. 1991. HARPHRQ: A geochemical speciation program based on PHREEQE Nirex Safety Studies Report, NSS/R188, Oxon, UK
Chesselet, R. and Lalou, C. 1988. “The use of natural radionuclides in oceanography”. In Radionuclides: A Tool for Oceanography, Edited by: Gury, J. C., Guegueniat, P. and Pentreath, R. J. 1–11. London, UK: Elsevier Applied Science.
Crawford, J., Hollins, S. and Kuo, E. 2007. Preliminary modelling of Cohesive Sediment Behaviour in Homebush Bay Report ANSTO/ENV/TN3-2007
Forstner, U. and Wittmann, G. T. W., eds. 1983. Metal pollution in the aquatic environment, , 2nd Ed., Berlin: Springer.
Hatje, V., Payne, T., Hill, D. M., McOrist, G., Birch, G. and Szymczak, R. 2003. Kinetics of trace element uptake and release by particles in estuarine waters: effects of pH, salinity, and particle loading. Environment International, 29: 619–629.
Kirby, J., Maher, W. and Krikowa, F. 2001. Selenium, cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations in sediments and Mullet (Mugil cephalus) from the southern basin of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia”. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 40: 246–256.
Szymczak, R., Hughes, C., Fowler, S. W., Duran, E. and Qureshi, R. M. Management of the marine coastal environment and its pollution – a SE Asian regional project. Proceedings of the Coastal Zone Asia-Pacific Conference. Sept 5–9 2004, Brisbane, Australia. pp.624–631. ISBN 1 921017 007
Twining, J. R., Perera, J., Nyugen, V., Brown, P. L. and Ellis, B. 1999. AQUARISK. A computer code for aquatic ecological risk assessment, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Report ANSTO/M-127, Sydney
Twining, J., Creightom, N., Hollins, S. and Szymczak, R. 2009. Probabilistic risk assessment of heavy metal contaminants in Sydney Harbour sediments. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 14: 1–28.
Villares, R., Puente, X. and Carballeira, A. 2002. Seasonal variation and background levels of heavy metals in two green seaweeds. Environmental Pollution, 119: 79–90.
Wille, A. B. 2004. The use of radiotracers to examine the uptake of cadmium and selenium by the marine macroalga, Ulva MSc Thesis Wollongong, Australia: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong.
Wolanski, E., ed. 2005. The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours, Secaucus, NJ, USA: Springer. ISBN 1-4020-3654-X
Published
Issue
Section
License
Manuscripts must be original. They must not be published or be under consideration for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part. It is required that the lead author of accepted papers complete and sign the MSU Press AEHM Author Publishing Agreement and provide it to the publisher upon acceptance.
