A novel use of the caesium-137 technique to estimate human interference and historical water level in a Mediterranean Temporary Pond

作者：Foteinis Spyros; Mpizoura Katerina; Panagopoulos Giorgos; Chatzisymeon Efthalia; Kallithrakas Kontos Nikolaos^*; Manutsoglu Emmanouil

来源：Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 2014, 127: 75-81.

DOI：10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.10.007

• Caesium-137
• Soil erosion
• Mediterranean Temporary Pond
• Historical water level
• Gamma ray spectrometry

The sustainability of, and the effects of human pressures on, Omalos Mediterranean Temporary Pond (MTP), Chanea, Greece was assessed. The Cs-137 technique was used to identify alleged anthropogenic interference (excavation) in the studied area. It was found that about one third of the ponds bed surface material had been removed and disposed of on the northeast edge, confirming unplanned excavations that took place in the MTP area some years ago. Nonetheless, five years after the excavation, the MTP%26apos;s ecosystem (flora and fauna) had recovered, which indicates that these small ecosystems are resilient to direct human pressures, like excavations. Moreover, with the Cs-137 technique it was possible to identify the historical water level of Omalos MTP, when the fallout from the Chernobyl accident reached this area, in May of 1986. Therefore, the Cs-137 technique can be useful in the identification of the historical water level of small MTPs and other ephemeral water bodies. Applications include the verification and validation of hydrological models.

• 出版日期2014-1