Impact Of Anthropogenic Activities Research Articles

Assessing anthropogenic influences on the water quality of Gomati River using an innovative weighted fuzzy soft set based water pollution rating system

The increasing pollution of river systems poses a significant challenge to water quality management and public health. This study was conducted to evaluate the water quality of the Gomati River in India, focusing on the impact of anthropogenic activities on pollution levels across different seasons. The primary objective was to develop a comprehensive assessment model using an effective weighted fuzzy soft expert system (WFSES) to derive a weighted water pollution score (WWP-score) for rating water pollution levels based on various water quality parameters. To achieve this, we employed a fuzzy soft set (FSS) methodology integrated with a weighted fuzzy soft set (WFSS) model to analyze water quality indices at six sampling stations along the Gomati River, the largest river in Tripura, India. Originating from the Raima and Sarma streams, the river flows westward through key regions, providing 249.39 million cubic meters of water annually, essential for drinking, agriculture, fishing, and transportation. The study utilized crisp data summaries of key water quality parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, chloride, total alkalinity, and total coliform, across the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons from May 2022 to April 2023, guided by the distribution of waste discharge points. Fuzzy membership functions were defined for these parameters, and the root mean square (RMSQR) operation was used to combine multiple FSSs. The results revealed that the WWP-scores, a measure of water quality, ranged from 0.744 to 0.872 across the sampling stations, with Srimantapur exhibiting the highest level of pollution and Udaipur showing comparatively better quality. These scores indicate that water quality at all sites falls into the poor category, with Srimantapur experiencing the most severe contamination due to high levels of coliform bacteria and organic pollutants. The analysis highlights the impact of domestic wastewater and agricultural runoff on the river's health. This research offers a novel application of FSS and WFSS theory in environmental management, providing a robust framework for evaluating and ranking water quality across multiple parameters. The findings are valuable to the scientific community as they offer detailed insights into the pollution dynamics of the Gomati River and propose a methodological approach for assessing water quality in other river systems facing similar challenges. The study's results underscore the need for targeted pollution control measures and continuous monitoring to safeguard water resources and public health.

Comparative Study of Butterfly Diversity across Four Habitats in Cuncolim, Goa, India

Biodiversity describes the variety and richness of life on Earth. The diversity of life on Earth is essential for healthy functioning and it boosts ecosystem productivity. Without wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms we cannot have the healthy ecosystems on which we are relying. Monitoring of biodiversity is of prime importance because biodiversity is the marker of ecosystem stability. Butterflies provide variety of ecological services and are very important component of biodiversity in different natural ecosystems. Several studies are reported from different parts of the state, mainly from wildlife sanctuaries, sacred grooves, Plateaus, and well-known tourist destinations of Goa. Present study is focused on collecting preliminary information on diversity of butterflies from four unexplored selected habitats of Cuncolim area at the foothills of Western Ghats in Goa. The Pollard Walk and visual count methods were employed. Total number of butterfly species during the survey at Forest is 316, Rivulet is 264, Seven temple is 222, and Plant nursey is 230. From the present survey it is observed that the Nymphalidae is the richest family (51%) followed by Pieridae (17%), Lycaenidae and Paipilionidae, both with (15%) each and Hesperiidae with (2%). Relative abundance of site 1(Forest) is 30.62, site 2 (Rivulet) is 25.58 site 3 (Seven temple) is 21.51 and site 4 (Plant nursery) is 22.28. Observations from this study clearly indicate the impact of anthropogenic activities on butterfly diversity.

Impact of anthropogenic activities on atmospheric chlorinated paraffins in Ghana using polyurethane foam disk - passive air sampler

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are a global concern due to their high production, ubiquity in the environment and potential toxicity. In Ghana, there is a significant research gap on the concentration and sources of CPs in the air, as well as insufficient regular monitoring programs to track CP levels over time. This study utilized polyurethane foam-based passive air samplers (PUF-PAS) to examine the concentrations, sources and potential human health risks of CPs in the atmosphere surrounding e-waste sites, urban areas, commercial areas and control/background areas in Ghana. The medium-chain CPs (MCCPs) dominated with an average concentration of 26.0 ± 40.1 ng/m3 and ranged from 1.78 to 240 ng/m3. Short-chain CPs (SCCPs) ranged from 0.05 to 15.2 ng/m3 and had an average concentration of 3.48 ± 3.99 ng/m3. The very short-chain CPs (C9-CPs), had an average concentration of 0.544 ± 0.524 ng/m3 and ranged from 0.091 to 2.14 ng/m3. MCCPs exceeded SCCPs by a factor of 7.5 and C9-CPs by a factor of 48. C14Cl8 was the dominant congener in MCCPs and C10Cl7 was also the dominant congener in SCCPs. E-waste was the main contributor to SCCPs and MCCPs (>30 %) in Ghana. The assessed non-cancer risks associated with CP exposure were within acceptable ranges. For cancer risk, MCCPs indicated high potential health risk but C9-CPs and SCCPs showed low risk. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on CPs in Ghana's atmosphere, and e-waste was identified as the country's main source of CPs. This study will help regulatory bodies create policies and procedures to control the use and disposal of chlorinated paraffins.

Diving into the Depths: Uncovering Microplastics in Norwegian Coastal Sediment Cores.

High concentrations of microplastics (MPs) have been documented in the deep-sea surface sediments of the Arctic Ocean. However, studies investigating their high-resolution vertical distribution in sediments from the European waters to the Arctic remain limited. This study examines MPs in five sediment cores from the Norwegian Coastal Current (NCC), encompassing the water-sediment interface and sediment layers up to 19 cm depth. Advanced analytical methods for MP identification down to 11 μm in size were combined with radiometric dating and lithology observations. MPs were present across all sediment cores, including layers predating the introduction of plastics, with concentrations exhibiting significant variation (54-12,491 MP kg-1). The smallest size class (11 μm) predominated in most sediment layers (34-100%). A total of 18 different polymer types were identified across all sediment layers, with polymer diversity and depth correlations varying widely between stations. Our findings suggest that differences in seafloor topography and the impact of anthropogenic activities (e.g., fishing) lead to varying environmental conditions at the sampling sites, influencing the vertical distribution of MPs. This challenges the reliability of using environmental parameters to predict MP accumulation zones and questions the use of MPs in sediment cores as indicators of the Anthropocene.

Unlocking sustainable groundwater governance in secondary cities: Lessons from the assessment of groundwater vulnerability in a Coastal City of India

Groundwater contamination and vulnerability in urbanised areas have emerged as pressing environmental concerns that require urgent and sustained attention. Certain land use practices, such as agriculture, urban development, and industrial activities, can introduce pollutants into the groundwater system and degrade its quality and represent a significant threat to rapidly growing cities that requires robust intervention and management strategies. This paper investigates the groundwater vulnerability of a coastal city, Kozhikode, located in South India. A GIS-based mapping of the groundwater vulnerability of the region was performed using the DRASTICA model, which is an adapted version of the conventional DRASTIC model. In addition, an ethnographic study was also conducted to assess the groundwater governance of the city and to suggest suitable management strategies. The study revealed that the main urban clusters in Kozhikode City (29.2 %) are highly vulnerable to groundwater contamination indicating the impact of anthropogenic activities in this areas. 41.78% of the area showed a moderate level of vulnerability. The low-vulnerable zone occupies a less populated and highland area of the city, covering an area of 28.9 %. The study utilised the concentration of nitrates in the groundwater of the study area as a validation tool for the results obtained. Furthermore, the investigation identified governance gaps within the city, including ineffective implementation of laws and regulations, low levels of awareness, lack of institutional capacity and inadequate monitoring practices, all contributing to groundwater vulnerability. To address these challenges, the study suggests that effective groundwater management requires a multifaceted approach, involving both technical and socioeconomic and cultural aspects. This can be achieved through collaborative efforts, policy revisions, community engagement, and effective enforcement, which will strive the fastest growing city toward the sustainable management of its groundwater resources.

Simulation and control of the cyanobacterial bloom biomass in a typical plateau lake based on the logistic growth model: A case study of Xingyun Lake

The simulation and early warning of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes are of great significance. Controlling the growth of cyanobacteria in plateau lakes is challenging due to the unique geographical environment, climatic conditions, and impact of anthropogenic activities. Therefore, conducting simulations and early warning is crucial to effectively control cyanobacterial blooms in plateau lakes. This study aimed to investigate Xingyun Lake, a representative plateau lake in China, using the logistic growth model to analyze cyanobacterial growth patterns and assess the effects of control projects, along with the influence of meteorological and environmental factors. Moreover, the study proposed a method for establishing control curves and ranges for managing cyanobacterial blooms. The results demonstrated that the chlorophyll-a concentration in the effluent decreased by an average of 97.74% compared with that in the influent after implementing the integrated “deep-well pressure algal control” and “ecological purification for algae-water separation” processes in Xingyun Lake. The total annual decrease in chlorophyll-a was approximately 3.40 times the lake's total chlorophyll-a content. The growth of cyanobacteria in Xingyun Lake followed a logistic pattern during the blooming period, before and after implementing control projects (from 2018 to 2022), with the overall growth trend from 2010 to 2022 aligning with the logistic growth model. The study identified lower temperatures and precipitation, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads, and a higher nitrogen-to‑phosphorus ratio as the main environmental factors inhibiting cyanobacterial growth. Establishing logistic control curves for cyanobacterial blooms and sustaining the algal control project before the transition point effectively reduced the maximum chlorophyll-a concentration and attenuated cyanobacterial growth rate throughout the year. This study offered novel perspectives for preventing and controlling cyanobacterial blooms, offering practical guidance for lake management, especially in plateau regions.

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Sedimentary Records in the Lingdingyang Estuary of the Pearl River Delta, China

High-intensity anthropogenic activities have greatly altered the estuarine-shelf depositional processes of sediments, and the intensity and frequency of the impacts of human interventions have far exceeded the natural development of estuarine systems. Since the reform and opening up, human activities such as dams, sand mining, channel dredging, and reclamation have already caused anomalous changes in the dynamical–sedimentary–geomorphological processes of the Lingdingyang Estuary (LE). Analyzing the impact of high-intensity anthropogenic activities on sedimentary processes and the hydrodynamic environment through sedimentary records can provide a scientific basis for predicting the evolution of the estuary and the sustainable development of the Guangdong–Hongkong–Macao Greater Bay Area. The aims of this study are to reveal the impact of varying intensity human activities across different periods on depositional pattern and conduct a preliminary investigation into the spatial differences in sedimentary characteristic attributed to human activities. Two cores (LD11 and LD13) located in the LE were selected for continuous scanning of high-resolution XRF, grain size, and 210Pbex dating tests, and scrutinized with the previous studies of the historical process of human activities in the LE. The results show the following: (1) The abrupt alterations in 210Pbex, geochemical indices, and grain size in LD13 happened in close proximity to the 95 cm layer, suggesting a shift in the sedimentary environment during 1994. (2) In the context of the continuous reduction in water and sediment flux into the LE after 1994, the large-scale and high-intensity human activities like sand mining, channel dredging, and reclamation are responsible for the sedimentation rate increase rather than decrease, the coarsening of sediment fractions, the frequent fluctuations in Zr/Rb, Zr/Al, Sr/Fe, and Sr/Al ratios, and the increase in anomalous extremes. (3) Sedimentary records found in locations varying in anthropogenic intensities differ greatly. Compared with the nearshore siltation area, the grain size composition in the channel area is noticeably coarser and exhibits a wider range of grain size variations. The 210Pbex is strongly perturbed and the vertical distribution is disturbed; the phenomenon of multiple inversions from the surface downwards is shown, making it impossible to carry out sedimentation rate and dating analysis, and the geochemical indicators have changed drastically without any obvious pattern. The evidence of the human activities can be retrieved in the sedimentary record of the estuary and provide a different angle to examine the impacts of the human activities.

Investigating the interplay between urban dynamics and environmental factors in Thimphu, Bhutan: a satellite remote sensing approach.

The ability of the land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to examine land surface change is regarded as an important climate variable. However, no significant systematic examination of urbanization concerning environmental variables has been undertaken in the narrow valley of Thimphu, Bhutan. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics on LST, NDVI, and elevation, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data collected in Thimphu, Bhutan, from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that LSTs varied substantially among different land use types, with the highest occurring in built-up areas and the lowest occurring in forests. There was a strong negative linear correlation between the LST and NDVI in built-up areas, indicating the impact of anthropogenic activities. Moreover, elevation had a noticeable effect on the LST and NDVI, which exhibited very strong opposite patterns at lower elevations. In summary, LULC dynamics significantly influence LST and NDVI, highlighting the importance of understanding spatiotemporal patterns and their effects on ecological processes for effective land management and environmental conservation. Moreover, this study also demonstrated the applicability of relatively low-cost, moderate spatial resolution satellite imagery for examining the impact of urban development on the urban environment in Thimphu city.

Temporal and spatial evolution of net primary productivity in the Three-River Headwaters Region under phenological changes and anthropogenic influence.

Understanding the spatiotemporal changes in net primary productivity (NPP) and the driving factors behind these changes in climate-vulnerable regions is crucial for ecological conservation. This study simulates the actual NPP (NPPA) and climate potential NPP (NPPC) in the Three-River Headwaters Region from 2000 to 2020. The Theil-Sen Median method and Mann-Kendall mutation analyses are employed to explore their spatiotemporal variation patterns, while geographic weighted regression and machine learning are used to investigate the influence of anthropogenic activities and climatic factors on NPPA, the results indicate that the average NPPA across the entire region over multiple years is 382.506 , which is 0.132 times the average annual NPPC over the past 21years, showing an overall distribution pattern of low in the northwest and high in the southeast. The annual increase in NPPA from 2000 to 2020 is approximately 1.034 . The source region of the Yangtze River shows the largest improvement in vegetation, with 74.1% of the area showing improvement. Between 2002 and 2003, the annual NPPA in the Three-River Headwaters Region experienced a sudden change, lagging behind the NPPC change by 1year, and after 2005, the upward trend in NPPA became more pronounced. The impact of anthropogenic activities on NPPA shifted from positive to negative to positive from 2000 to 2020, with significant impact areas mainly concentrated in the northeast and a few areas in the central and southern parts. The proportion of areas with extremely significant impact increased from 1.9% in 2000 to 3.7% in 2020. Over the past 21years, the main factors influencing NPPA changes in the Three-River Headwaters Region have been soil moisture and precipitation, with the influence of different climate factors on NPP changing over time. Additionally, NPP is more sensitive to changes in altitude in low-altitude areas. This study can provide more accurate theoretical support for ecological environment assessment and subsequent protection efforts in the Three-River Headwaters Region.

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Vandiyur Lake: An Ecological and Chemical Analysis

This study investigates the environmental and ecological health of Vandiyur Lake in Madurai City, Tamil Nadu, India. GIS mapping reveals the lake’s proximity to residential and commercial areas, contributing to pollution from various sources, including domestic, hospital, and industrial sewage. Chemical analysis shows alterations in the lake’s pH, dissolved oxygen, CO2, and phosphate levels. The lake also suffers from the overgrowth of the invasive species Eichhornia crassipes. Despite these challenges, the lake serves as a crucial source of groundwater and supports local fishing activities. The study underscores the urgent need for sustainable management practices to preserve this vital ecosystem.This study investigates the environmental and ecological health of Vandiyur Lake in Madurai City, Tamil Nadu, India. GIS mapping reveals the lake’s proximity to residential and commercial areas, contributing to pollution from various sources, including domestic, hospital, and industrial sewage. Chemical analysis shows alterations in the lake’s pH, dissolved oxygen, CO2, and phosphate levels. The lake also suffers from the overgrowth of the invasive species Eichhornia crassipes. Despite these challenges, the lake serves as a crucial source of groundwater and supports local fishing activities. The study underscores the urgent need for sustainable management practices to preserve this vital ecosystem.

Impacts of anthropogenic activities on eukaryotic phytoplankton communities in Panlong River via eDNA biomonitoring

Impacts of anthropogenic activities on eukaryotic phytoplankton communities in Panlong River via eDNA biomonitoring

Deciphering groundwater pollution in the Lower Anayari Catchment: insights from using δ2H, δ18O, PMF, and APCS-MLR receptor model.

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater pollution in the Lower Anayari Catchment (LAC) through δ2H and δ18O isotopic analysis, along with positive matrix factorization (PMF) and PCS-MLR receptor models. Forty groundwater samples were collected from hand-dug wells and equipped boreholes across the LAC. Flame photometry for Na+ and K+, complexometric titration for Ca2+, ion chromatography for Cl-, F-, NO3-, SO42-, and PO43-, and atomic absorption spectrometry for Mg2+, Fe, Pb, Cd, As, and Ni were analytical techniques/instruments employed. In regard to cations, Na+ has the highest average concentration of 63.0 mg/L, while Mg2+ has the lowest at 2.58 mg/L. Concerning the anions and nutrients, Cl- has the highest mean concentration of 18.7 mg/L, and Fl- has the lowest at 0.50 mg/L. Metalloids were detected in trace amount with Fe displaying the highest mean concentration of 0.077 mg/L whereas Cd and As recorded lowest (0.001 mg/L). The average values for groundwater δ18O and δ2H were - 3.64‰ and - 20.7‰, respectively; the average values for rainwater isotopic composition were - 3.41‰ for δ18O and - 17.4‰ for δ2H. It is believed that natural geological features, particularly biotite granitoid and volcanic flow/subvolcanic rocks from the Birimian Supergroup, significantly influence groundwater mineralisation. Additionally, the impact of anthropogenic activities on water quality, with urban development and agricultural practices, may be attributed to increasing levels of certain contaminants such as Fe, Ni, NO3-, and PO43-. This research contributes to the broader field of hydrological study and provides practical implications for managing and conserving water resources in similar contexts. The innovative combination of isotopic and statistical analyses sets a new standard for future studies in groundwater quality assessment, emphasising the need for comprehensive approaches that consider both geological characteristics and human impacts for sustainable water resource management.

The Impact of Anthropogenic Activities and Water Pollution on the Fish Diversity and Ecosystem Health of the Chenab River in the Punjab Region of Pakistan

Background: The Chenab River, a major waterway in the Punjab region, is subject to various anthropogenic activities that threaten its ecological integrity. Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and urbanization have altered the water quality and affected the river's fish diversity, raising concerns about the long-term health of the river's ecosystem and its implications for human health. Objective: This study aimed to quantify the impact of human activities and water pollution on fish diversity and ecosystem health in the Chenab River. It sought to identify significant pollutants and assess their correlations with ecological indicators. Methods: A comprehensive quantitative analysis was conducted using secondary data spanning ten years. Descriptive statistics were calculated for various environmental parameters, including industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, urbanization rate, water pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and concentrations of heavy metals, nitrates, and phosphates. Correlation and regression analyses were employed to explore the relationships between these parameters and fish species richness and abundance. Results: The study revealed a mean industrial discharge of 584.43 tonnes and agricultural runoff of 290.82 tonnes. Water quality parameters fluctuated with a mean pH of 7.65 and dissolved oxygen levels averaging 8.38 mg/L. Fish species richness exhibited a mean of 49.30 with a standard deviation of 20.842, while fish abundance had a mean of 3089.16 with a standard deviation of 1256.84. Regression analysis showed dissolved oxygen as a significant predictor of fish abundance (p = .051), whereas turbidity and heavy metals had a negative impact, though not statistically significant (p = .100 and p = .092, respectively). Conclusion: The Chenab River's fish diversity and ecosystem health are influenced by anthropogenic pollution, with dissolved oxygen emerging as a critical factor for maintaining fish populations. The findings suggest a need for targeted environmental regulations to improve water quality and protect aquatic life, which is inextricably linked to human health and livelihoods.

Impact of anthropogenic activities on the accumulation of heavy metals in water, sediments and some commercially important fish of the Padma River, Bangladesh

Impact of anthropogenic activities on the accumulation of heavy metals in water, sediments and some commercially important fish of the Padma River, Bangladesh

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Microbial Community Structure in Riverbed Sediments of East Kazakhstan.

Heavy metal (HMe) pollution in regions with mining and metallurgy activities is known to be a serious environmental problem worldwide. Hydrological processes contribute to the dissemination of HMes (drainage, precipitation, flow rate). The aim of the present study is to investigate the microbial community structure in ten river sediments sampled in different regions of East Kazakhstan, which are contaminated with HMes. The overall degree of sediment contamination with HMes (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) was assessed using the pollution index Zc, which ranged from 0.43 to 21.6, with the highest in Ridder City (Zc = 21.6) and Ust-Kamenogorsk City, 0.8 km below the dam of the hydroelectric power station (Zc = 19.6). The tested samples considerably differed in organic matter, total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, as well as in the abundance of HMe-related functional gene families and antibiotic resistance genes. Metagenomic analysis of benthic microorganisms showed the prevalence of Proteobacteria (88.84-97.61%) and Actinobacteria (1.21-5.98%) at the phylum level in all samples. At the class level, Actinobacteria (21.68-57.48%), Betaproteobacteria (19.38-41.17%), and Alphaproteobacteria (10.0-39.78%) were the most common among the classified reads. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the metagenomic characteristics of benthic microbial communities exposed to chronic HMe pressure in different regions of East Kazakhstan.

Long term investigation on shoreline changes of an Island, inside a Gulf (Hormuz Island)

Shorelines, as the boundary between the body of water and the land, are influenced by different natural and anthropogenic factors. As a consequence, they are highly dynamic and are of great concern for coastal zone management. However, their behavior varies depending on their location, whether they are situated in the open ocean or within a semi-enclosed body of water. Besides, anthropogenic activities in developed beaches and/or coastal cities are the main reason for high rates of change. Thus, normally pristine and undeveloped areas are likely to experience lower rate of shoreline transformation. Hormuz Island as a typical undeveloped pristine island, with minimum anthropogenic activities in its coastlines, located inside a semi-enclosed body of water of the Persian Gulf, is the case study for this research. The alteration of the shoreline is extensively studied for 30 years. The shoreline change is analyzed using net shoreline movement, and linear regression rate indexes of the digital shoreline analysis system tool. Our findings indicated that alterations in the shoreline of Hormuz Island primarily align with natural processes, and the impact of anthropogenic activities on these changes is constrained. The average shoreline change is approximately 0.1 m/year and seldom surpasses 2.0 m/year. These outcomes align with findings observed in other undisturbed regions situated within semi-enclosed bodies of water, such as gulfs or bays. Utilizing identified shoreline alterations, our study area was categorized into three classes: dominant accretion, dominant erosion, and negligible transformation. The shore with negligible changes encompasses more than half of the island. Acknowledging the restricted variability in alterations observed in the beaches within the semi-enclosed area, there is a recognized need to develop an international classification for these types of beaches, in order to be comparable with each other all around the world.

Antibiotic resistance profile in sediments and bacterial isolates from a human-impacted mangrove from Bahía Magdalena, Mexico

Abstract Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment are considered emerging contaminants. One of the ecosystems that can harbor resistant bacteria and genes is mangroves. This report aims to assess ARB and ARG's presence at two mangrove locations in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico. Bacterial isolates were selected based on their phenotypic profiles of antibiotic resistance. DNA from mangrove sediments and bacterial isolates was tested for int1 and antibiotic resistance genes by final point PCR. From 90 ARB isolates, the phenotypic profile showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (90%), cefotaxime (85.7%), and ampicillin (78.6%), while the beta-lactamase gene (blaCTX-M) was present in 72.9% of the isolates. Antibiotic resistance genes identified in sediments were found even at 30–50 cm depth, but the integron Class gen (int1) was found mainly in shallow samples. Principal component analysis showed a close relationship between the integron gene, vancomycin, and sulfonamides resistance genes. No correlation was found between the phenotypic and genotypic profiles of the bacterial isolates. Also, no differences were observed between the two mangrove ecosystems studied. The impact of anthropogenic activities was equally significant on both sites. The role of mangrove ecosystems in the dispersion of antibiotic resistance needs to be further explored.

Impact of anthropogenic activities on channel deformations of mountain rivers: Case study of the Turyanchay River, Azerbaijan

Impact of anthropogenic activities on channel deformations of mountain rivers: Case study of the Turyanchay River, Azerbaijan

Enterococcus Species and Their Antimicrobial Resistance in an Urban Watershed Affected by Different Anthropogenic Sources

Different anthropogenic sources can have a significant influence on bacterial populations and their antimicrobial activities. In this study, the impact of anthropogenic activities on Enterococcus species was studied in an urban watershed in southern California affected by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), recreational activities, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), urban runoff, and control sites. Water samples were collected quarterly for two years for the enumeration of Enterococcus species based on the Enterolert most probable-number (MPN) assay. Concentrations of enterococci were higher in the sediment compared to surface water (4.5 × 106 CFU/g of sediment vs. 2.3 × 105 MPN/100 mL of water). The species diversity was dominated by E. mundtii (32%), E. faecalis (27%), and E. faecium (25%). E. faecium exhibited the highest antibiotic-resistant phenotype. Resistances were mostly to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Tetracycline and erythromycin resistance genes, encoded by tet (C, K, O, S) and ermB, respectively, were more common in isolates from sediment (42.9%) compared to water (12.7%). E. mundtii was sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and high levels of vancomycin. A significant percentage of E. faecalis were also resistant to these antibiotics. E. faecium and E. faecalis exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics. Our data suggest that resistant Enterococcus species within the watershed might provide some useful data to determine pollutant types and sources in that watershed. Therefore, the widespread occurrence and abundance of E. faecium and E. faecalis, and their resistance genes associated with multiple antibiotics may potentially pose risks to the local populations exposed to these water sources during recreational activities.

Loss of carbon stock as an impact of anthropogenic activities in a protected mangrove forest

Abstract. Eddy S, Setiawan AA, Taufik M, Oktavia M, Utomo B, Milantara N. 2023. Loss of carbon stock as an impact of anthropogenic activities in a protected mangrove forest. Biodiversitas 24: 6493-6501. The significant anthropogenic activities within the mangrove forest, known as the Air Telang Protected Forest (ATPF) in the Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, Indonesia, have led to an alarming degradation, leaving only its primary mangrove forests, currently constituting approximately 26% of the total forest area. This study aims to analyze changes in land cover, quantify carbon reserve loss due to CO2 emissions, and assess carbon sequestration in the ATPF over two periods: 1999-2010 and 2010-2023. Remote sensing data for 1999, 2010, and 2023 were utilized from Landsat imagery, employing ENVI and ArcGIS for land cover classification. Carbon density, CO2 emissions, and carbon sequestration were analysed using the Land Use Planning for Multiple Environmental Services (LUMENS) software. The research findings reveal an increase in the primary forest area in the first period (by almost a quarter); however, more than half of this area was lost in the second period. The secondary forest area consistently decreased over the two periods, while the open area experienced significant growth. Carbon stocks in 2010 exceeded those in 1999 due to an increase in the primary forest area, but by 2023, carbon stocks decreased significantly due to extensive land clearing. The second period witnessed the largest emissions, exceeding those of the previous period by five times. Carbon sequestration in the first period surpassed that in the second period by more than three times, with the most significant sequestration resulting from the growth of secondary mangrove forests into primary mangrove forests. The study highlights the necessity of restoration and conservation of mangrove forest areas in ATPF for sustenance of its natural function as a protected forest.