Chiara Calligaris

Evaluation of excessive lifetime cancer risk due to natural radioactivity in the rivers sediments of Northern Pakistan

Abstract Naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in the rivers sediments of Northern Pakistan were measured using HPGe γ-ray spectrometer to evaluate the radiation health hazard indices and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). Average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the sediments were found to be 50.66±1.29, 70.15±1.45 and 531.70±5.45Bqkg−1 respectively. Radium equivalent activity (190.89Bqkg−1), outdoor external dose (87.47nGyh−1), indoor external dose (165.39nGyh−1), and total average annual effective dose (0.92mSv) were calculated. The hazardindices are higher than the worlds average values. Total excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was found to be 3.21×10−3 which is relatively higher. Numerous cancer deaths are annually reported from the Northern areas of Pakistan, which may be related to high radioactivity in the area.

First steps towards a landslide inventory map of the Central Karakoram National Park

Abstract The northeastern part of Pakistan is known to be a region of extremes, where the highest reliefs and the longest glaciers of the world may be found. In this environment, through the multidisciplinary Social, Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Project the knowledge of the sustainable exploitation possibilities of the Central Karakoram National Park area (CKNP) will be improved. One of this projects objectives is the analysis of the geological hazards giving as output a landslide inventory and a susceptibility map, utilizable as functional tools for a future sustainable territorial planning. The Bagrot Valley, chosen as test site, was partially field surveyed and part of the landslide-prone areas preliminarily identified through DEM analysis, GIS techniques and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, were later validated on the field. ASTER DEM was used as the basis of morphometric analysis.

Assessing the Effect of Mitigation Measures on Landslide Hazard Using 2D Numerical Runout Modelling

Landslide mitigation measures are used to reduce the risk affecting mountain communities. The quantitative estimation of the change or reduction in risk, after implementing mitigation measures, requires modeling of past events and the forward prediction of possible future occurences. However, the forward-prediction of landslide hazard is subjected to uncertainties due to the lack of knowledge on some key aspects like the possible source volume that can be triggered and model parameters that determine the landslide runout. In this study, a back-analysis of a debris flow event was carried out using MassMov2D to create a set of parameter ranges for forward-predicting runouts with mitigation measures. We approached the issue of uncertainty by systematically sampling parameters from wide ranges and running hundreds of different runout scenarios. Simulations from back-analysis were compared with the forward-predicted models to determine changes in the spread and intensity of debris flows affecting elements at risk (e.g. houses and roads). This study is a first step towards a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) being carried out within the EC FP-7 funded CHANGES network (Grant Agreement No. 263953).

Evaporite karst in Italy: a review

*jo.dewaele@unibo.it Citation:

Debris Flow Phenomena: A Short Overview?

Debris flows are one of the most dangerous and destructive processes affecting the second order streams in the mountain areas (Cavalli et al., 2005; Boniello et al., 2010; Santi P.M., 2008). This very common phenomenon in the Alpine environment is a type of landslide defined by several authors (Varnes, 1978; Hutchinson, 1988; Pierson, 2005; Pierson and Costa, 1987; Coussot and Meunier, 1996; Hungr et al., 2001) trough focusing on the involved material, on the water saturation and on the mass velocity. Debris flows usually consist of a complex mixture of fine (clay, silt and sand) and coarse (gravel, cobbles and boulders) materials with a variable water quantity (Nettleton et al., 2005). The outcoming mixture has a behaviour similar to a viscous “slurry” with a high density, 60% to 80% by weight solids (Varnes, 1978; Hutchinson, 1988; Pierson, 2005). The same Hutchinson (1988) is describing them as “wet concrete”. These phenomena are rapid mass movements, gravity induced able to transport large quantities of sediments and wood downslope, producing complex distribution of deposits and eroding surfaces along their flowpath (Remaitre et al., 2003). Several other classifications try to define these processes. For example, Aulitzky in 1982 provided a classification focused on the typologies of the materials involved making a macroscopic distinction between the rocks and the engineering soils. Pierson and Costa, in 1987, proposed their classification basing it on the sediment concentration and on the average flow velocity. Paoluzzi, Coussot and Meunier, in 1996, described debris flow as a function of sediment concentration and material typology, between hyperconcentrated flows and landslides. Celerity, deposit nature and flow type are the parameters considered. Two of them are appropriate for a practical classification: solid fraction and material type (Paoluzzi et al., 1996). Hungr in 2001 (Hungr et al., 2001) elaborated a classification having as main distinctive parameters the water content, the velocity and the material typology. Seen that existing classifications for landslides were based on process, morphology, geometry, movement type and rate, type of material and activity, in 2005, Jakob (Jakob, 2005) proposed a different categorization based on a size classification. This classification is rarely used because it provides too little information on morphology or process characteristics of a landslide. It has been prevailing studied for regional studies along infrastructures corridors because it addresses variables that are part of a hazard evaluation. Anyway, in the present work, a simple criterion of identification is proposed. Debris flows must be seen as intermediate phenomena between hyper concentrated flows (intense bed

The karst hydrostructure of the Verzegnis group (NE Italy)

In a quickly changing environment where drinking water appears ever more scarce and polluted, it is vitally important to study the quantity and quality of the available resources. With this in mind, the Verzegnis mountain group (Western Carnian Prealps, NE Italy) represents an important karst aquifer system upon which to draw water to supply inhabitants and industrial activities. The aim of this study is to highlight the state of the art of the resources present in the hydrostructure, understanding the recharge areas and characterizing the flow dynamics with a view to a sustainable exploitation. To complete this study, classical field surveys were conducted during which the main geochemical characteristics were analyzed. Measurements of water temperature (T), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), groundwater discharge (Q) and precipitation amount were performed monthly for a period of two years. The geochemical characteristics were defined using water sample analyses of the major ions and δ18O values. The analyses performed and the resulting hydrogeological map allowed for a preliminary characterization of the hydrogeological behavior of the entire hydrostructure where the presence of tectonic structures and different lithological units represent a physical threshold for the waters. In fact, the groundwaters are mainly contained between the tectonic structure Douf—Auda thrust in the E, NE and a permeability threshold on the W created by the presence of the Dolomia di Forni Formation. In the southern side of the massif, a transcurrent fault creates a water divide between Mt. Verzegnis and Mt. Piombada.

The Karst Hydrostructure of the Mount Canin (Julian Alps, Italy and Slovenia)

The Mt. Canin massif, from a hydrogeological and geomorphological point of view, is a unique structure, being an independent part of the Italian Julian Alps (north east Italy) bounded on all sides by impressive karst springs. Extensive outcropping limestones go from the top (2587 m a.s.l.) to the bottom of the valleys (about 500 m a.s.l.) creating an hydrostructure subdivided between two countries originating two transboundary watersheds: the Mediterranean one to the South and the Black Sea to the North. The aim of this paper is to define the dynamic and the characteristics of the groundwaters and to identify the superficial and deep watersheds in order to elaborate the aquifer vulnerability.

An Integrated Approach for Investigations of Ground-Subsidence Phenomena in the Ovaro Village (NE Italy)

This paper presents the preliminary results of geomorphological and geological investigations carried out along the valley of the Degano River with a special emphasis on sinkholes. The study area is located in the Degano Valley, Carnian Alps, which are situated in the NE part of Italy. The main village is Ovaro and is historically affected by geohazard associated with ground-subsidence phenomena caused by evaporites, which are widely present in the valley. Traditional investigations have been carried out, and the collection and analysis of historical documents and reports were integrated by aerial photograph interpretation and field surveys. The paper outlines the research phases and the preliminary results achieved which proved fruitful thanks to the application of an integrated approach in the study of sinkhole. Particular attention was paid to the recognition and classification of the phenomena as well as the identification of the buildings damaged by ground subsidence.

Integration of multi-criteria and nearest neighbour analysis with kernel density functions for improving sinkhole susceptibility models: the case study of Enemonzo (NE Italy)

*jpgalve@gmail.com Citation:

Climate changes and piezometric level fluctuations in the Isonzo/Soča River Plain (NE Italy)

It is always more evident that something in the climate is changing, everybody can see it on their own, but evaluating the numbers supporting the change it is not always so simple. In an area where the water quantity is actually not a problem, the global warming identified through the meteorological data analysis of the historical time series seems to have consequences on the phreatic aquifer of the Isonzo /Soca River Plain (NE Italy). The analysis of the piezometric levels in facts show a decreasing trend actually still sustainable but not sustainable any more if compared to the climate models at 100y showing a temperature increase and a decreasing in the precipitation amount.