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The Danube River Basin pp 271–284Cite as

Radioactivity in the Danube

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Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 39))

Abstract

In this chapter, a general review of radioecological research and exemplarily results of radioactivity measurements carried out in the Danube freshwater ecosystem in the last 30 years are presented. Sample collection techniques and sample preparation and radiometric measurement methods, developed and applied in radioecological studies of the Danube River, are shown comprehensively. Results of radiometric analysis of bottom sediment samples, collected continuously by sediment traps and additionally by grab sampling during Danube research cruises, are given and discussed. The main goal of the radioecological research studies is the protection of the environment to manage sustainable use and conservation of the Danube freshwater resource against harmful radioactive exposure.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material

References

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Markus Hrachowitz, Valeria Gruber and Fabian Rechberger for their valuable cooperation in the research. Additionally, the authors are very grateful to Susanne Sticht, Petra Jachs, Josef Kirchmeier, Alfred Gerstorfer, Ludwig Landl, Josef Jochinger, Robert Sonnleithner, Ernst Schrall and Johann Donnerbauer for collecting the sediment samples; Andrea Ramer and Jiří Tykal for sample treatment and radiometric analysis; and Helmut Federspiel, Hans Schimpf and Johannes Riegler (Austrian Hydro Power AG) and Wolfgang Haider and Viktor Karg for their long-term administrative, financial and logistic support.

The collection and radiometric analysis of the Danube sediment samples have been partially financially supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forest Economy, Environment and Water Management, research contract No. BMLFUWUW.1.1.8/0374-V/7/2011.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna Low-Level Counting Laboratory Arsenal, Faradaygasse 3, Arsenal 214, 1030, Wien, Austria

    Franz Josef Maringer, Claudia Seidel, Andreas Baumgartner & Michael Stietka

  2. Federal Office Metrology and Surveying, Arltgasse 35, 1160, Vienna, Austria

    Franz Josef Maringer

Authors
  1. Franz Josef Maringer
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  2. Claudia Seidel
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  3. Andreas Baumgartner
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  4. Michael Stietka
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franz Josef Maringer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria

    Igor Liska

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Maringer, F.J., Seidel, C., Baumgartner, A., Stietka, M. (2014). Radioactivity in the Danube. In: Liska, I. (eds) The Danube River Basin. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 39. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2014_300

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