Geodiversity is represented by the uniformity of physical properties of the earth and is considered an important landscape feature in its assessment. Due to the multitude of identified abiotic physical elements (66 elements) in the mountain area of Moldova catchment, the geodiversity index was computed, ranging from 0.30 to 8.72. The area with the largest number of elements overlaps on Câmpulung Moldovenesc with 12 identified abiotic elements, followed by Pojorâta, Moldova-Sulița, Breaza and Fundu Moldovei with values of the geodiversity index above 2. These localities form a compact area that should be considered in future conservation and promotion strategies.
The concentration and spatial distribution of three naturally occurring radionuclides, 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K, has been determined in stream sediments from six left side tributaries of Bistricioara river (Bistriței Mountains, Eastern Carpathians, Romania). Historically, several mining works were undertaken in the area, with a view of exploring its' potential regarding mineral resources. The aim of this study is to serve as a reference point for future environmental monitoring, in the event of resuming the mining activities in this area, which accommodates a major uranium deposit. Stream sediment samples were collected from the riverbed and the concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides was determined using gamma-ray spectrometry with a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentration of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K was found to be 27.84, 41.08 and 511.27 Bq•kg −1 . Based on radionuclides' activity concentrations, radiological hazard parameters were estimated in order to assess any radiation risk which may be associated with the riverbed sediments. The radiological hazard parameters, such as radium equivalent activity (Ra eq. ), absorbed gamma dose rates in air (D R ), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), representative level index (RLI), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), external hazard index (H ex ) and internal hazard index (H in ), were all calculated and later compared with international safety limits. Generally, all radiological hazard parameters have values lower than world average excepting AGDE and RLI values that exceed the UNSCEAR thresholds.
Slope stability analysis represents nowadays a constant pursuit, being applied in various domains, such as geological and geomorphological studies, civil engineering or urban expansion. In this paper, two different methods were employed in order to establish the stability of the Copou Hill, Iaşi, Romania, and the results were compared. The first, non-invasive, method involves obtaining a landslide risk map by identifying the factors that induce the slope failure and overlaying the obtained maps. The second one, invasive, implies computing a safety factor using the infinite slope method, employing well data from this area and ranging the thickness of the water column. This comparison was made in order to improve the non-invasive method, so as to apply it in areas where there is no geological information. The resulting landslide risk map shows values of the average coefficient Km ranging between 0.21 and 0.63, implying a medium to high failure probability for the studied slope. On the other hand, the infinite slope method indicates a safety factor with values between 0.91 and 1.49, at a complete flooding of the land-sliding lithological column, with a single exception with much lower value. These values are below the admissible factor, suggesting failure with a medium to high probability. Comparing these two methods, significant similarities between the landslide risk map results and the computed safety factors can be observed. For further testing of the first method, similar studies should also be made in other areas.
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