19-Jun-2013
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Bharatiya Vaigyanik evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika (BVAAP) >
BVAAP Vol.20 [2012] >
BVAAP Vol.20(1) [June 2012] >
| Title: | Isotope techniques in water resources : an advanced tool |
| Authors: | Kumar, Bhishm
Sapra, Tilak Raj |
| Issue Date: | Jun-2012 |
| Publisher: | NISCAIR-CSIR, India |
| Abstract: | Isotopes are the atoms of an element with same atomic
number but different atomic weight. Isotopes may be radioactive and stable by
nature. Now a days, environmental isotopes (stable and radioactive) are widely
used for hydrological investigations. Isotope Hydrology deals with the
application of isotopes as tracers in water resources development and
management. Applications of isotopes in hydrology and water resources are
relatively a new subject, but its importance has been felt more in recent
years. This is due to tremendous increase of problems
in water sector, particularly depleting groundwater
quantity, deterioration in water quality and many other unpredictable natural
events that affect the hydrological cycle. The conventional methods often fail
to provide insight to these problems, while isotope techniques provide a clear
picture and helps in finding a suitable solution. Applications of isotopes in
hydrology are based on the general concept of “tracing”, in which either
intentionally introduced isotopes or naturally occurring (environmental)
isotopes are employed. Environmental isotopes (either
radioactive or stable) have a distinct advantage over
injected (artificial) tracers and these facilitate the study of various
hydrological processes on a much larger temporal and spatial scale through
their natural distribution in a hydrological system. Thus, environmental isotope
methodologies are unique in regional studies of water resources to obtain time
and space integrated characteristics whereas the artificial tracers generally
are effective for site-specific, local applications. Generally, isotope tracers
are not used as an independent tool but to supplement
hydrogeological, geophysical and geochemical
information for a better understanding of the processes taking place in a
hydrological system. Therefore, in hydrological investigations, isotope
techniques should be used routinely along with hydrochemical and
hydrogeological techniques. As all isotopic, hydrogeological and hydrodynamic
interpretations are space and time related, it is imperative that one should
consider all the related aspects of water sampling and prevailing
hydrogeological conditions in a study area. A large variety of environmental
stable and radioactive isotopes are employed for hydrological studies (e.g., 2H, 3H, 3He, 6Li, 11B, 13C, 14C, 15N, 18O, 34S, 36Cl, 37Cl, 81Br, 81Kr, 87Sr, 129I, 137Cs, 210Pb etc.)
However, the stable isotopes have the distinct advantage over injected
(artificial) tracers 3H, 46Sc, 60Co, 82Br, 131I, 198Au, etc.
is that they facilitate the study of various hydrological processes on a much
larger temporal and spatial scale through their natural distribution in a
system. Earlier, artificially produced radioactive isotopes which were being used
with a very limited isotopes are widely used for a variety of applications with
no fear of health hazards. Environmental isotopes are freely available in the
atmosphere and automatically injected in to the hydrologic cycle. Therefore,
the users have neither to purchase these isotopes nor to inject them in the
hydrological system.
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| Page(s): | 46-49 |
| CC License: |  CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India |
| ISSN: | 0975-2412 (Online); 0771-7706 (Print) |
| Source: | BVAAP Vol.20(1) [June 2012]
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