Surface Water Contamination Research Articles

Occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution and risks of macrolide antibiotics in the Weihe River and its tributaries, North-central China

The presence of antibiotics as emerging micropollutants in the aquatic environment has been raising health concerns for a number of years. Macrolides (MLs) are a large class of widely-used antibiotics, but there is a lack of information on their distribution and risks in surface waters across the central and western regions of China. To clearly describe the pollution characteristics and risks of MLs in Weihe River (the largest tributary of the Yellow River), analysis of 5 typical MLs was conducted using a newly developed LC−MS/MS method for 50 water samples collected over three seasons during 2021–2022. The results revealed that the area showed comparable ML concentrations with other regions worldwide. However, the ML concentrations were much lower than those in the river during 2016 from a previous study. Furthermore, concentrations exhibited significant seasonal variation, with highest concentrations in the winter. Along the main stream of the Weihe River, the sampling sites close to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and livestock farms exhibited higher concentrations of MLs, indicating the significant contribution from WWTPs and animal husbandry to the emission of MLs. The risk quotients (RQs) suggested that the ecological risks associated with MLs were most pronounced in winter among the three seasons, with erythromycin posing a high or medium risk to algae at all sampling sites. The results of this study will be of importance towards the goal of understanding the presence of these emerging contaminants in surface waters and any required risk reduction measures.

Optimisation of analytical methods for tuberculosis drug detection in wastewater: A multinational study

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a robust tool for disease surveillance and monitoring of pharmaceutical consumption. However, monitoring tuberculosis (TB) drug consumption faces challenges due to limited data availability. This study aimed to optimise methods for detecting TB drugs in treated and untreated wastewater from four African countries: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Cameroon. The limit of detection (LOD) for these drugs ranged from a minimum of 2.20 (±1.02) for rifampicin to a maximum of 2.95 (±0.79) for pyrazinamide. A parallel trend was observed concerning the limit of quantification (LOQ), with rifampicin reporting the lowest average LOQ of 7.33 (±3.44) and pyrazinamide showing the highest average LOQ of 9.81 (±2.64). The variance in LOD and LOQ values could be attributed to factors such as drug polarity. Erythromycin and rifampicin exhibited moderately polar LogP values (2.6 and 2.95), indicating higher lipid affinity and lower water affinity.Conversely, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid displayed polar LogP values (−0.059, −0.6, and −0.7), suggesting lower lipid affinity and greater water affinity. The study revealed that storing wastewater samples for up to 5 days did not result in significant drug concentration loss, with concentration reduction remaining below 1 log throughout the storage period. Application of the optimised method for drug detection and quantification in both treated and untreated wastewater unveiled varied results. Detection frequencies varied among drugs, with ethambutol consistently most detected, while pyrazinamide and isoniazid were least detected in wastewater from only two countries. Most untreated wastewater samples had undetectable drug concentrations, ranging from 1.21 ng/mL for erythromycin to 54.61 ng/mL for isoniazid. This variability may suggest differences in drug consumption within connected communities. In treated wastewater samples, detectable drug concentrations ranged from 1.27 ng/mL for isoniazid to 10.20 ng/mL for ethambutol. Wastewater treatment plants exhibited variable removal efficiencies for different drugs, emphasising the need for further optimisation. Detecting these drugs in treated wastewater suggests potential surface water contamination and subsequent risks of human exposure, underscoring continued research's importance.

Surface water pollution by some heavy metals in a remote island, Hatiya, northern Bay of Bengal

IntroductionMetal contamination in surface water in urban cities has become a common scenario in underdeveloped and developing countries. Nowadays, the extent of this contamination is suspected to be traced in remote islands due to the transportation of metals with downward water flow. Unfortunately, we found a dearth of research on our remote island, where thousands of people live and use surface water for their daily needs. ObjectivesThe current study aims to investigate the status of heavy metals in surface water from a remote island, Hatiya Coast, to determine the existence of heavy metals and their risks to human health. Ten surface water samples were collected, and their concentrations were measured using AAS. Later, various pollution indices were analyzed to understand their pollution level. ResultsThe mean metal concentrations were ranked in descending order of Mg (65.44 mg.L−1)> Fe (0.375 mg.L−1)> Zn (0.139 mg.L−1)>Mn (0.016 mg.L−1)> and Cu was below the detection limit (BDL). According to different metal pollution indexes, the surface water of the Hatiya coast is low to moderately polluted. The standard HEI value was 1.58, and the range was 1.29–2.25, indicating that all sampling stations had a low level of metal contamination. The mean and range of HPI values were found at 44.58 and 34.33–69.33, respectively. All of the sampling stations indicated low pollution levels except sampling station 6. NPI values revealed moderate contamination in stations 2, 3, and 7. According to the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for adults and children, heavy metals were found to have no carcinogenic risks for children and adults through dermal exposure. ConclusionAlong with the metals coming from upstream, several local sources of heavy metals were identified during fieldwork, including metallurgical businesses, oil spills from the ship, and some trawlers associated with fishing activities. Overall, these findings would be valuable for aquaculture sectors and future researchers to compare, correlate, and understand the pollution level of the island and serve as a foundation for conducting further investigations in similar island environments, both locally and globally.

The public’s perceptions and behaviours towards household disposal of medicines and its effect on the environment: a cross-sectional survey study

Abstract Introduction Over a billion National Health Service (NHS) prescription medicines are issued by pharmacists in England every year at a cost of over £9 billion; however, a substantial proportion of these are never taken, with an estimated wastage of approximately £300 million. [1] Unwanted medicines should be returned to pharmacies for their disposal via a suitable waste contractor. This prevents inappropriate disposal which can lead to surface water contamination, harm to aquatic life and antimicrobial resistance, with pharmaceuticals also being present in drinking water worldwide. [2] Due to the magnitude of medicines which are never used by patients and their potential to impact negatively on the environment, there is a need to better understand the public’s perceptions and behaviours towards medicines disposal. Aim This study aimed to identify the public’s perceptions and behaviours related to the disposal of unwanted household medicines. Methods Data was collected through an anonymous self-completion on-line questionnaire containing closed questions distributed via X (formally Twitter). This was open for answers from the 19th December 2018 to 6th March 2019 to participants over the age of 18. Responses were coded and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 447 respondents completed the questionnaire, of which 65.5% (n=293) were female and 34.5% (n=154) were male. The age of participants ranged from 37.6% (n=164) being 18 - 34, 68.2% (n=207) being 35 - 54 years, and 17 % (n=76) being 55 years old and over. Unwanted medicines were returned to pharmacies by 30.5% (n=136) of respondents with a further 34% (n=152) disposing of these alongside household waste. Of the latter, 43.4% (n=66) threw solid preparations in the rubbish bin, with the disposal of liquids down the sink or toilet being carried out by 30.2% (n=46). Only 37.1% (n=168) of respondents reported receiving information on safe disposal of medicines, with almost half of these (49.4%, n=83) having this from a pharmacist. However, while 64.4% (n=292) were aware that they could return medicines to pharmacies, only 48.6% (n=142) of these reported to do so. Most participants (61.7%, n=275) stated that they would be interested in learning more about the impact of medicines on the environment, with 19.9% (n=89) being somewhat interested, and 16.3% (n=72) having no interest. Conclusion This study identified that the public’s behaviour when disposing of unwanted medicines contributes to pollution caused by pharmaceuticals. Returning medicines to pharmacies avoids this and could be better promoted by raising awareness and educating those who want to learn more about medicines and the environment. Pharmacists are a source of information about disposal of medicines and providers of a service to enable the public to do so, and can contribute to managing the way that pharmaceuticals are disposed of and their environmental impact. A small sample size and geographical area were limitations of this study, which could be overcome by further researching issues identified in this survey.

Health Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination in Drinking Water

Water is essential for life, be it the life of animals, plants or human beings. It’s our prime duty to protect, manage and preserve the quality of water. Uncontrolled anthropogenic activities have resulted in contamination of fresh water resources thereby affecting the health of living beings. Rampant industrialization is a major environmental problem on the global scale for the pollution of fresh water with toxic effluents containing heavy metals. Contamination of surface water by heavy metals is the greatest quality issues because of their toxic nature, increased release and negative impact on the health of human beings. Water-borne diseases remain one of the major health concerns in the world. Heavy metals are individual metals and metal compounds that can impact human health. Exposure of humans to metals such as antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, tin, zinc, etc results in chronic and acute toxicities. The toxicity of heavy metals depends on their concentration, period of exposure and route of exposure. Humans are exposed to heavy metals either by inhalation from the atmosphere, intake through drinking water, or by ingestion through the skin by dermal contact. The present review describes the analysis of ‘heavy metal contamination in drinking water’ with reference to definition, sources, health effects on humans and preventive measures. This study suggests that, the best way to get rid of heavy metal contamination in drinking water is to remove toxic heavy metals by using the best water purification system. Also, the ground water resources must be monitored for quality assessment, source identification and bioremediation of heavy metals.

1#, 1#*, 1, Ebele Benedeth Onuigbo1*, Anthony Anthony Attama2

Salmonella is ubiquitous bacteria commonly found in the water, animals, humans, and the environment. The transmission is facilitated by human activities, including the irrigation of farm products using contaminated surface water, and is a public health concern. This study was carried out to assess Salmonella contamination in the Ekulu River in the Enugu metropolis and determine their susceptibility to some selected relevant antibiotics. Water samples were collected randomly in the region and processed for isolation and identification of Salmonella spp using the direct plating method. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests of the isolates against ciprofloxacin (5 μg), chloramphenicol (30 μg), amoxicillin (10 μg), and streptomycin (10 μg) were done using the disc-diffusion method. Twenty-six (26) (100 %) of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin antibiotics, and 42.31 %, 23.07 %, and 46.15 % were resistant to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and streptomycin, respectively. This study shows the importance of establishing adequate measures to control contamination of surface water used for domestic activities in the Emene community Enugu metropolis. Improved water quality increases health and reduces the transmission of diseases/infections.

Occurrence and risk assessment of pesticides and their transformation products related to olive groves in surface waters of the Guadalquivir river basin

Pesticides are considered one of the main sources of contamination of surface waters, especially in rural areas highly influenced by traditional agricultural practices. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact caused by pesticides and their transformation products (TPs) related to olive groves in surface waters with strong agricultural pressure. 11 streams were monitored during four sampling campaigns over 2 years. A solid-phase extraction, followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis was used in the quantitative target approach, with more than 70 validated compounds. Target method was combined with a suspect screening strategy involving more than 500 pesticides and TPs, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) to identify additional pesticides and TPs out of the scope of analysis. A total of 43 different compounds were detected with the target method. The herbicide MCPA was present in all samples and at the highest concentration (1260 ng L−1), followed by the fungicide carbendazim (1110 ng L−1), and the herbicide chlorotoluron (706 ng L−1). The suspect screening strategy revealed the presence of 7 compounds out of the target analysis (1 pesticide and 6 TPs). 6 analytes were confirmed with the analytical standards. Semi-quantification results revealed that TPs exhibited higher concentrations than their corresponding parent compounds, indicating higher persistency. Some small streams showed a comparable number of pesticides and concentrations to the most polluted large river. The determined pesticide and TPs concentrations represented an estimated environmental hazard in almost all sampling sites under study. This work underscores the importance of including pesticide TPs and small streams impacted by extensive agricultural activities in water quality monitoring programs.

Removal of heavy metal ions from industrial (mining) wastewater using electromagnetically activated carbonaceous sorbent

Mining wastewater, characterized by elevated salt levels, necessitates effective treatment to prevent contamination of underground and surface water. Traditional methods for treating large volumes of mining wastewater with high total dissolved solids are expensive, and cost-effective alternatives are limited. In this study, we propose a solution to this challenge: the sorption of dissolved substances using a carbonaceous sorbent derived from waste, specifically rice husk biochar. To enhance the sorbent’s efficiency, we subjected it to electromagnetic activation, resulting in increased carbon content (from 43.3 to 78.5 % compared to the initial biochar), reduced impurities, and particle size reduction to the nanoscale (1–50 nm) with the formation of mesopores (mean diameter from the adsorption isotherm is 167 Å) and micropores (4.92 Å). This process contributes to improved compositional homogeneity. The effectiveness of the proposed sorbent was validated through the treatment of wastewater from Kirov Mine (Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov Region) under laboratory conditions. The removal rates for dissolved heavy metal ions (iron, zinc, manganese) were found to be 89, 84 and 26 %, respectively. A recommended two-stage sorption treatment involves: (1) static sorption using electromagnetically treated rice husk biochar at a concentration of 0.5 g/dm3; (2) subsequent reagent treatment of the suspension (SKiF-180 reagent, 1.0 mg/dm3), addition of potassium permanganate for manganese removal, settling for 30 min, and non-pressure filtration with a rice husk biochar filter.

Identification of Multiple Surface Water Contamination Sources Based on UV–Vis Spectral Unmixing with Turbidity Adaptiveness

Identification of Multiple Surface Water Contamination Sources Based on UV–Vis Spectral Unmixing with Turbidity Adaptiveness

Investigation of the photolysis process of benzo(a)anthracene (BaA) on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics: Plastics aging effect, transformation products and toxicity assessment

Microplastics (MPs) and persistent pollutants (POPs) are new pollutants that are extensively studied worldwide. To fill the gaps that the degradation processes and mechanisms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the surface of most MPs are still unclear, the photochemical transformation of benzo(a)anthracene (BaA) on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs and polystyrene (PS) MPs in water were investigated and compared. The photolysis of BaA on the surface of PS in water proceeded easier than that on PVC within the 48 h irradiation period, with the pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.0489 min−1 and 0.0181 min−1, respectively, which can be ascribed to the smaller particle size and more OH production of PS MPs. Due to the light competition between the chromophore and BaA as well as the light-shielding effect, aged MPs showed an inhibitory effect on the degradation of BaA compared with pristine MPs. For BaA/PVC MPs system, the degradation of BaA in real water was not significantly affected by coexisting ions and humic acid (HA) (p < 0.05), while slight inhibitory effect on the degradation of BaA appeared for PS MPs in different water matrices (UP: 86.97 %, YR: 84.47 %, PR: 81.42 % and HR: 83.21 %). According to the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) test, quenching experiment and probe experiment, the relative contribution of direct photolysis (PVC: 82.02 %; PS: 69.54 %) and indirect photolysis (PVC: 17.98 %; PS: 30.46 %) was confirmed. A total of 14 products were identified, and the product types were not affected by plastics aging. The results of the toxicity assessment indicated that although some intermediate products remained toxic to aquatic organisms, the toxicity of most products was lower than that of BaA. This study provides new insights into the environmental fate of PAHs and the role of MPs in the photolysis process of contaminants in surface water.

Characteristics, fate, and sources of microplastics contaminant in surface water and sediments of river water

Although developing countries are huge producers of plastic debris, few studies on MPs in freshwater systems, a major contributor to oceans, have been done. In this investigation, we estimated the abundance, shape, size, and potential sources of MPs in river water and sediments taken from the freshwater of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers in Jamshedpur. Four types of MPs were identified among the analyzed data: fragments, films, foams, and fibers. These MPs were examined using a stereomicroscope and their polymer composition was identified using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The quantitative assessment of our study revealed a mean abundance of MPs 9.55 ± 4.87 items/L (average ± SD, n = 9) in water and 270.88 ± 105.89 items/kg (average ± SD, n = 9) in sediment samples. The morphological distribution of MP particles revealed that fibers account of 44.2 % of MPs particles, followed by film (24.4 %), fragments (20.9 %), and pellets/foam (10.5 %) in water. Fiber accounts 48.3 % of total MPs shape followed by fragments (20.6 %), foam/pellets (16.4 %) and film (14.7 %) in sediments. According to the MP size distribution, 84.9 % of the MPs were between <125 μm and 1000 μm in water, while 94.0 % of the particles were between 125 μm and 5000 μm. The black color MPs accounted for 27. 0 % in water and 20.0 % in sediments, followed by blue (24.0 %), and white (19.0 %) in water and sediments, respectively. The most abundant polymer composition found was 30.0 % and 28.2 % of polyester in water and sediment samples respectively, which was followed by polypropylene 37.7 %, polyvinyl chloride 36.2 %, polyethylene 29.7 %, polystyrene 25.1 %, and polyamide 13.1 % in water and sediments. To reduce microplastic pollution, focus on mitigation of plastic waste, improving waste management, and implementing practical solutions.

A Base Layer of Ferrous Sulfate-Amended Pine Bark Reduces Phosphorus Leaching from Nursery Containers

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers applied to container-grown nursery crops readily leach through pine bark-based substrates and can subsequently runoff and contribute to surface water contamination. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of adding a layer of FeSO4·7H2O-amended pine bark (FSB) to the bottoms of nursery containers on P leaching characteristics. Phosphorus and iron (Fe) leaching in response to FSB layer height (4 or 7.5 cm), FeSO4·7H2O rate (0.3, 0.6, or 1.2 kg·m−3 Fe), and form (i.e., granular versus liquid) used to formulate the FSB layer, and the inclusion of dolomite in the FSB layer were also investigated. Greenhouse studies lasting 15 and 19 weeks were conducted, in which 2.5 L nursery containers containing the FSB layer treatments below non-amended pine bark substrate were fertilized with 199 or 117 mg P from a soluble or controlled-release fertilizer, respectively. Leachate resulting from daily irrigation was collected and analyzed for P and Fe weekly. All FSB treatments leached less P than the control (non-amended pine bark only), with P reductions ranging from 22% (4 cm FSB with 0.3 kg·m−3 Fe) to 73% (7.5 cm FSB with 1.2 kg·m−3 Fe). Phosphorus leaching decreased linearly with an increase in Fe rate or layer height. The amount of Fe that leached from containers with FSB was &lt;5% of that applied, regardless of the Fe rate. Granular- and liquid-applied FeSO4·7H2O with or without dolomite were equally effective at reducing P leaching. Adding 0.6 kg·m−3 Fe to the bottom 500 cm3 of pine bark increased P adsorption by 0.053 mg·cm−3 P, which equates to 17.9 mg P adsorbed per gram of FeSO4·7H2O added. Results from this research suggest that including an FSB layer in the bottom of nursery containers is an effective strategy for reducing P runoff from container-based nursery production sites.

Heavy metal contamination and environmental risk assessment: a case study of surface water in the Bahr Mouse stream, East Nile Delta, Egypt

Water, as an indispensable constituent of life, serves as the primary source of sustenance for all living things on Earth. The contamination of surface water with heavy metals poses a significant global health risk to humans, animals, and plants. Sharkiya Governorate, situated in the East Nile Delta region of Egypt, is particularly susceptible to surface water pollution due to various industrial, agricultural, and urban activities. The Bahr Mouse Stream, crucial for providing potable water and supporting irrigation activities in Sharkiya Governorate, caters to a population of approximately 7.7 million inhabitants. Unfortunately, this vital water source is exposed to many illegal encroachments that may cause pollution and deteriorate the water resource quality. In a comprehensive study conducted over two consecutive seasons (2019–2020), a total of 38 surface water samples were taken to assess the quantity of heavy metals in surface water destined for human consumption and other applications, supported by indices and statistics. The assessment utilized flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the concentration of key heavy metals including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr). The calculated mean value of the Water Quality Index (WQI) was found to be 39.1 during the winter season and 28.05 during the summer season. This value suggests that the surface water maintains good quality and is suitable for drinking purposes. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals in the study area were below the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization and fell within the safe threshold prescribed by Egyptian legislation. Despite the identification of localized instances of illegal activities in certain areas, such as unauthorized discharges, the findings affirm that the Bahr Mouse stream is devoid of heavy metal pollution. This underscores the importance of continued vigilance and regulatory enforcement to preserve the integrity of these vital water resources.

Design of Fe-based metal organic framework derived catalysts: Remediation of nitrate contamination and action in polluted surface water

Removing nitrate from surface water is a constant challenge due to its high stability. While electrochemical treatment, a clean and renewable energy source, is promising, most strategies focus solely on energy conversion without considering treatment efficiency and practical application prospects. In this study, a Fe-based MOF derived material MC was synthesized by combining the process of hydrothermal and pyrolysis using Fe-MOF as the raw material to investigate the viability of nitrate reduction. The MC electrode exhibits 91.3 % NO3- removal and 44.9 % current efficiency in 180 min. The selectivity of ammonia is 90.6 % without Cl- and the selectivity of N2 is 89.9 % with Cl-. The excellent behavior of MC is attributed to the layered structure of dispersed Fe-based nanocluster and interconversion of Fe three valence states, which are conducive to mass transfer and electron transfer, respectively. The Layered Fe-based electrode material MC is a cost-effective, high-efficiency and stabilized electrode catalyst capable of treating water in a wide pH range and broad hardness. It maintained excellent stability over ten cycles and was used to remove nitrate, TN, and COD from polluted surface water, proving to be an environmentally friendly option for the deep purification of polluted surface water.

Seawater flooding of calcareous soils: Implications for trace and alkaline metals mobility

Developing management strategies to safeguard public health and environmental sustainability requires a comprehensive understanding of the solubility and mobility of trace and alkaline metals in the event of seawater flooding. This study investigated the effects of seawater flooding, along the duration of flooding, on the release of trace and alkaline metals (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, K, and Mg) in two calcareous soils (Krome and Biscayne) located in southern Florida. Seawater flooding experiments involved two soil types and four flooding durations (1, 7, 14, and 28 days) replicated three times. Freshwater flooding experiments were also conducted for comparison. After each flooding experiment, soil samples were collected at three depths (15, 30, and 45 cm), and analyzed for selected elements. Comparative analysis revealed significant releases of Mn, Fe, and Zn in both soils flooded by seawater compared to freshwater. In most cases, significant increments were evident as early as 1-day exposure to seawater flooding, which further increased with flooding duration. However, the impacts of seawater flooding had notable differences between the two soils. Seawater flooding in Krome soil for 28 days, resulted in higher Mn, Fe, and Zn contents by 58, 340, and 510% compared with freshwater flooding, while corresponding increases in Biscayne soil were 3.3, 130, and 180%, respectively. Comparable marginal increases in Cu content were observed for both soils. Similarly, seawater flooding increased K, Mg, and Na contents from single-day flooding. The interplay between soil type, column depth, flooding duration, and their interactions proved influential factors in determining Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn releases, with peak levels typically observed on the 28th day of flooding and at bottom depths. Overall, these findings highlight the release of these elements, raising concerns about potential plant toxicity and groundwater or surface water contamination due to leaching and runoff.

Analysis of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Based Contaminants in Surface Water and Sediment near two Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The pollution of the environment from heavy metals and petroleum based contaminants in surface water and sediments resulting from illegal refining activities were looked at. The study was aimed at assessing the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr, As, Cd and Ni), Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-Benzene, and Xylene (BETX), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) in surface water and sediments. Samples were collected from two deactivated sites of illegal refineries in Oshika and Egbalor communities of Rivers State, Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for the contaminants which were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. The findings indicate that the surface water and sediments were highly polluted and may pose a health hazard to the community members that may use it for drinking.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT OF THE TEKELI PROCESSING PLANT BY SORPTION METHOD

The article discusses the current environmental problems arising from the pollution of water resources by the metallurgical enterprise "Tekeli Mining and Processing Plant LLP" in the industrial single-industry town of Tekeli, Zhetisu region. To reveal the content of the topic, the results of a study of the impact of industrial wastewater concentrated on the areas of an operating mining enterprise on pollution of the Karatal River basin are presented. This is due to the fact that harmful compounds released by the.Tekeli mining and Processing plant cause serious environmental problems due to contamination of groundwater and surface waters of the region with heavy metals. This is influenced by the imperfection of mining methods for polymetallic ores, as well as contamination of surface and groundwater is thawed by snow and rainwater from chemical elements and harmful compounds contained in the dumps of loose rocks, which are continuously collected directly at production sites.

Sources of Heavy Metal Contamination in Surface Waters of Indian Freshwater Ecosystems and Their Effect on Aquatic Biota: A State of the Art Review

Sources of Heavy Metal Contamination in Surface Waters of Indian Freshwater Ecosystems and Their Effect on Aquatic Biota: A State of the Art Review

Grafted Tomatoes Removed More Soil Phosphorus than Nongrafted Tomatoes under High-phosphorus Conditions

Nonpoint-source phosphorus (P) from agricultural fields is a contaminant of surface waters, and high soil P fertility exacerbates this problem. Many vegetable growers and gardeners have a history of applying more P than is necessary for optimum plant growth. Avoiding unnecessary P applications is an important part of the long-term solution to reducing P loading in water. When soil P levels are very high, management practices that result in more intense P removal are recommended to reduce these levels and the potential for aquatic ecosystem contamination with P. Growers may apply soluble starter fertilizer containing P to encourage rapid transplant establishment; however, the effectiveness of this practice is unknown for soil P levels considered high or very high. Grafting tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) onto vigorous rootstocks may help the plant remove more P from the soil than nongrafted plants. This study investigated the effects of organic starter P fertilizers applied to three hybrids of nongrafted tomato and the same hybrids grafted onto ‘Estamino’ rootstock in field-grown conditions during three site-years with high preplant P fertility. The yield, fruit P concentration, and amount of P removed from the field were measured to elucidate starter P and grafting impacts on P removal. Starter P was not impactful on all responses. Grafting increased the total yield by 11.6%, fruit P concentration in a genotype-dependent manner (average of 12.6%), and net P removal from the field by 28.4% (6.0 kg P/ha). Net P removal was positively correlated with the total yield (r = 0.821) and fruit P concentration (r = 0.502), suggesting that practices to increase the yield or P concentration independently increase net P removal.

Surface water contamination with Acanthamoeba spp. in Ilam city, Iran

Abstract Acanthamoeba, a widely distributed free-living amoeba with 20 genotypes identified through rRNA gene sequencing, exhibits varying degrees of pathogenicity influenced by its genotype. This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of Acanthamoeba species in the surface waters of Ilam, located in western Iran, utilizing morphological analysis and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene through the PCR method. A total of 50 water samples were collected from various regions within Ilam city, situated in the southwest of Iran. To isolate Acanthamoeba parasites from the samples, a culture method was used, and all utilized culture media were scrutinized through microscopic and molecular techniques. The parasite's genotype was determined by sequencing a 500-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Using microscopic and molecular methods, 19 and 16 water samples tested positive, respectively. The 18S rRNA sequences revealed that the isolates belonged to the T4, T2, and T11 genotypes. This study emphasizes the presence and inclination for close contact with highly pathogenic genotypes of Acanthamoeba in the surface waters of Ilam City.