Evaluation of the hurricanes Gustav and Ike impact on healing mud from San Diego river using nuclear and geochemical techniques

abstract effects induced by hurricanes gustav and ike on the characteristics of the san diego river mud have been studied. x-ray fluorescence analysis, gamma spectrometry and the measurement of some physical andchemical characteristics in mud samples, collected before and after the hurricanes, show that the hurricanes induced changes not only in mud major composition but also in some other mud characteristics. the average sedimentation rate determined by gamma spectrometry in san diego river outlet allowed to estimate that the original mud characteristics will be recovered no sooner // earlier than after 5-7 years. further studies on the influence of changes in mud characteristics and in its therapeutic properties as a result of the impact of hurricanes are recommended as well.