Noboru Hida

Hydrological and hydrogeological characterization of groundwater and river water in the North Hanoi industrial area, Vietnam

Abstract Degradation of groundwater quality by human activities is a widespread environmental problem in Vietnam. Groundwater there is a major source of water for domestic and industrial purposes. This paper reviews, compiles, and comprehensively analyzes spatiotemporal variations of hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics of shallow and deep groundwater aquifers in northern Hanoi industrial zones and in nearby Red River water. Groundwater level, electrical conductivity, and water temperature were measured in six monitoring wells, complemented by anion, cation, and stable isotope analyses of ground and surface water. The results show that the groundwater in both shallow and deep aquifers was fresh, but mainly calcium-bicarbonate type contaminants and human activities affect groundwater and surface water composition. With the goal of devising sustainable water use regulations, more research must be directed toward long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water quality, as well as toward detailed investigation of the hydraulic characteristics of local aquifers in the study area.

Geophysical techniques to aquifer locating and monitoring for industrial zones in North Hanoi, Vietnam

Geophysical methods were applied for hydrogeological targets in many countries including Vietnam. This paper presents results of using complex geophysical techniques as well as 2D electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), vertical electrical sounding (VES), very low frequency (VLF), and seismic refraction for geological structure investigation for locating the aquifers and assessing the hydrogeological conditions for groundwater potential in industrial zones of North Hanoi, Vietnam. The locations of two aquifers are determined by their depth and thickness on the basis of resistivity and seismic velocity values which were proved by stratifications of three boreholes to 40–60 m of depth on the study area. There are connections from surface water to shallow aquifer by hydraulic windows, as follows from VLF data. The deeper aquifer can be considered as a potential groundwater supply, but the water level is descending in time, as shown by hydrological monitoring. However, with careful use and by reducing sources of pollution, groundwater can continue to be an important natural resource for future.

The Economic Use of Palms in- Amazonia: Raphia taedigera in the estuary.

This paper presents a biogeographical and socio-economic study of the significance of jupati (Raphia taedigera) for peasant livelihood strategies in the Amazon esutuary. It engages current research interest in indigenous agroforestry systems as an alternative to deforestation in Amazonia and especially, the role of palms for providing marketable products and sustainable land use systems. While several studies illuminate the economic importance of marketing acai (Euterpe oleracea) fruits, there is very little attention to other wetland palms, like Raphia, which provide valuable products to rural people but are less visible in the cash economy. Such is the case with Raphia taedigera, which attains its broadest areal extension in the Amazon estuary and whose petioles are used to fashion shrimp traps. Shrimp sales constitute an important income source for ribeirinho (ribereno) families in the estuary. This study presents an overview of the biogeographical range of Raphia taedigera in the lower Amazon, the hydrological conditions that favor its establishment, and the depth of indigenous knowledge of its use within ribeirinho livelihood systems.

The Economic Use of Palms in Amazonia

This paper presents a biogeographical and socio-economic study of the significance of jupati (Raphia taedigera) for peasant livelihood strategies in the Amazon esutuary. It engages current research interest in indigenous agroforestry systems as an alternative to deforestation in Amazonia and especially, the role of palms for providing marketable products and sustainable land use systems. While several studies illuminate the economic importance of marketing acai (Euterpe oleracea) fruits, there is very little attention to other wetland palms, like Raphia, which provide valuable products to rural people but are less visible in the cash economy. Such is the case with Raphia taedigera, which attains its broadest areal extension in the Amazon estuary and whose petioles are used to fashion shrimp traps. Shrimp sales constitute an important income source for ribeirinho (ribereno) families in the estuary. This study presents an overview of the biogeographical range of Raphia taedigera in the lower Amazon, the hydrological conditions that favor its establishment, and the depth of indigenous knowledge of its use within ribeirinho livelihood systems.