Improve Water Quality Research Articles

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Analysis of Water from Different Sources in a Rural Community of Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria

Surface and underground water polluted by microbes and chemicals exacerbates issues of water scarcity, given its importance to all life forms. This study investigated the impact of microbial and chemical pollution from water sources in the K-Vom community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Four water samples from various sources underwent bacteriological and physicochemical analyses following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard guidelines to assess their quality. Escherichia coli emerged as the predominant organism, with tap water showing the lowest contamination levels and well water, particularly from Angwan Madugu, displaying the highest bacterial counts. Physicochemical parameters generally met WHO standards, except for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Nitrates (Means: 0.14mg/L, 74.9mg/L) which exceeded recommended limits. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant differences for TSS, Nitrates, and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), suggesting overall compliance with international guidelines. Despite meeting certain standards, local water sources remain unfit for consumption due to bacterial contamination. Consequently, the study recommends the implementation of simple water treatment measures to mitigate health risks associated with waterborne diseases, emphasizing the urgent need for improved water quality management in the region.

Evaluation of ecosystem services vis-à-vis perceptions and attitudes of local communities towards Wetland conservation in Kashmir Himalaya

Valuation of ecosystem services along with the perceptions and attitudes of local communities is crucial for sustainable management of wetlands. This study assesses changes in wetland area and bathymetry, and provides insights into local community's perceptions of ecosystem services, and attitudes towards wetland conservation in Kashmir Himalaya, India. High-resolution satellite data was used to assess land use land cover (LULC) changes within the wetland. The bathymetry changes were assessed by performing depth measurements before and after dredging in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Perceptions of ecosystem services and attitudes of residents towards wetland management were examined through surveys in 182 households from the target population of 334 families. The findings reveal that Khushalsar wetland provides important provisioning (food, fodder, thatching mats, fish, vegetables), regulating (flood control, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement), supporting (habitat, biomass and oxygen production, water and nutrient cycling), and cultural services (aesthetic, education, spiritual). The economic benefits from provisioning services range from 240 USD/yr for minor vegetables to 1201–1802 USD/0.05 ha/yr for Nelumbo nucifera. The analysis of LULC changes indicates a ∼16.5% reduction in wetland area from 1980 to 2017, with a further ∼10% decrease from 2017 to 2021, resulting in an overall loss of ∼25% (27.1 ha) in wetland area from 1980 to 2021. Bathymetric assessments reveal an increase in maximum depth from 427 cm in 2019 to 547 cm in 2022 following dredging activities. Socioeconomic analysis showed the significance of Khushalsar wetland as an important source of livelihood for local communities. Survey results indicate that all the respondents have positive attitudes towards the protection and management of the Khushalsar wetland. The study demonstrates that human conservation activities have significantly contributed to positive changes in the wetland such as increase in depth and flood storage capacity. The study concludes that government protection along with active participation of local communities is indispensable for sustainable management of wetlands.

Tap Water Microbial Contamination in Prayagraj: Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Pathogenic Bacteria and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns

Since water is necessary for life, it is crucial for preserving human health and biological processes. However, serious health dangers are associated with drinking water contamination, especially in areas where access to clean water is scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the physicochemical and microbiological properties of tap water from 10 distinct locations in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Water samples were collected and analyzed microbiologically to isolate and identify harmful bacteria. The study detected the presence of several gram-negative bacteria, including Leminorella grimontii, Morganella morganii, and Citrobacter braakii, among others. Temperature and pH levels varied throughout the sampling sites, according to physicochemical analysis, and some samples had levels of alkalinity over the WHO-recommended safe limits. Antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated that the isolated bacterial strains displayed varying levels of resistance to different antibiotics, with higher resistance to Gentamicin than to Ampicillin. These findings highlight the significance of ongoing water quality monitoring and improvement to reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses, particularly in areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation. Ensuring the safety and purity of water for human consumption is crucial for protecting public health, especially in areas vulnerable to illnesses caused by contaminated water. This study provides valuable insights into the microbiological ecology of Prayagraj tap water and emphasizes the need for effective water management strategies to protect human health and welfare.

Exploring the use of clay pots as sustainable storage containers to improve water quality

BackgroundCurrently, tap water consumption is not highly preferred in Egypt and around the world. People prefer to consume bottled water because they believe that it is much safer and tastes better than tap water. Unfortunately, this preference can create an economic burden for many people, especially in developing countries. Clay pots can be used to provide cool, alkaline drinking water because of their porous micro-texture, which traps pollutants. This study aimed to investigate the use of clay pots to store tap water and its impact on the requirements for drinking water quality. This is done with the intent to decrease the need for bottled water as a means of offering a more sustainable and economical option.MethodsIn this study, the efficiency of clay pots as sustainable storage containers for drinking water was tested by measuring physicochemical parameters (pH, TDS, EC, turbidity, DO, ammonia, chloride, total hardness, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, chlorine, Zn, and CaCO3) and biological parameters (TPC and Legionella).ResultsAfter 7 days of storage, the quality of the water stored in clay pots met the standards set by the Egyptian law with a significant difference (p < 0.05) before and after the storage of water It was found that the dissolved oxygen increased from 6.17 ppm to 7.52 ppm after 7 days. As for total hardness, it declined from 195 to 178 ppm. There was also a significant drop in terms of TDS from 338 to 275 ppm. Furthermore, clay pots effectively filtered out both total viable bacteria and Legionella.ConclusionThis study proved the efficiency of using these containers with respect to some indicator values for tap water and tank water analysis. Clay pots are an excellent, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative for storing water.

Appling machine learning for estimating total suspended solids in BFT aquaculture system

Biofloc Technology (BFT) systems are used to improve water quality and the production of aquatic organisms, and they influence dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and pH, directly affecting the efficiency and success of this production system. Measuring total suspended solids (TSS) in water demands substantial investments and involves a time-consuming process to obtain results. This delay in obtaining results poses a significant challenge to the operations of these farms. In this study, we applied Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods based on artificial intelligence and water quality parameters (easy to measure, low cost, and quick response) to identify the most accurate method for measuring TSS. The best TSS estimate was achieved with SVM using nitrite and turbidity as predictive variables, which tended to overestimate the real value by 19 %, presenting a potential for application in estimating TSS in the BFT aquaculture system.

Investigations of nanomaterial-based membranes for efficient removal of contaminants from wastewater via membrane distillation: a critical review

The requirement for wastewater treatment is paramount in ensuring environmental sustainability and safeguarding public health. As industrialization and urbanization accelerate, the volume of wastewater generated continues to increase, containing a diverse range of pollutants and contaminants. Untreated wastewater poses serious threats to ecosystems, water bodies, and human communities, leading to pollution, waterborne diseases, and ecological imbalances. Effective wastewater treatment becomes essential to mitigate these adverse effects by removing or reducing pollutants before discharge into natural water sources. This process helps to preserve water quality, protect aquatic life, and maintain the overall health of ecosystems. Membrane distillation (MD) has emerged as a promising technology for wastewater treatment, offering an innovative approach to address the challenges associated with conventional treatment methods. In MD, a hydrophobic membrane serves as a selective barrier, allowing water vapor to pass through while preventing the passage of contaminants. This paper offers an extensive overview of the latest advancements in nanotechnology and membrane distillation applied in wastewater treatment. We will delve into different types of nanomaterials that have been used to enhance the properties of MD membranes, such as nanocomposites, nanoparticles, and nanofiber membranes. We also explore the mechanisms by which these nanomaterials improve the separation efficiency, anti-fouling properties, and durability of MD membranes. Additionally, we highlight the potential of hybrid membranes that combine different types of nanomaterials for further improving the performance of MD in wastewater treatment. We provide examples of recent studies that have investigated the use of hybrid membranes, including carbon nanotube-graphene oxide hybrid membranes, nanocomposite nanofiber membranes, and silver nanoparticle-embedded membranes. We also identify some areas for future research and development, such as the scale-up and commercialization of nanotechnology-based MD systems. In summary, this review paper highlights the potential of nanotechnology to enhance the performance of MD in wastewater treatment, leading to improved water quality and a cleaner environment.

Lake Water Ecological Simulation for a Typical Alpine Lake on the Tibetan Plateau

Lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) serve as both indicators of and safeguards against climate change, playing a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystems of the TP. While considerable attention has been devoted to studying the thermal and dynamic processes of TP lakes, research focusing on their ecological variations has been limited. In this study, we selected Namco, a representative lake on the TP, to investigate its water ecological processes using the AQUATOX lake ecological model. Long-term ecological variations spanning from 1980 to 2020 were analyzed based on lake observations. Our results revealed a consistent increase in water nutrients, particularly total nitrogen (WTN), and total phosphorus (WTP), over the study period. Additionally, the concentrations of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and water gross and net primary production (WGPP and WNPP) exhibited a significant upward trend. Despite the persistent state of poor nutrition in the lake, the ecological conditions improved. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the concentrations of WGPP, WNPP, and Chl-a were more sensitive to the local climate and hydrology compared to WTN and WTP. A continuously warming climate would heat up the lake water body, further enhancing primary production and improving water quality in the future. This study provides insights for lake limnological and ecological research and can be used to inform water management strategies in high-altitude alpine regions.

Design and engineering application of 35kV floating photovoltaic power station

Based on the concept of fishery-solar complementary systems, floating photovoltaic (PV) power stations have garnered significant attention in the power industry due to their minimal land use, high power generation efficiency, and improved water quality. However, irregular water level changes and surface disturbances caused by wind or human activities increase the difficulty of maintaining long-term stable operation. This paper, relying on a specific project, thoroughly analyzes and designs the technical scheme for a 35kV floating PV power station. It delves into the design of the floating island platform, anchoring system, shock absorption between the island and equipment, and the overall layout of the power station. These findings provide valuable references for the design, manufacturing, construction, and operation of other floating PV power stations.

Upscaling miscanthus production in the United Kingdom: The benefits, challenges, and trade‐offs

AbstractThe UK sixth carbon budget has recommended domestic biomass supply should increase to meet growing demand, planting a minimum of 30,000 hectares of perennial energy crops a year by 2035, with a view to establishing 700,000 hectares by 2050 to meet the requirements of the balanced net zero pathway. Miscanthus is a key biomass crop to scale up domestic biomass production in the United Kingdom. A cohesive land management strategy, based on robust evidence, will be required to ensure upscaling of miscanthus cultivation maximizes the environmental and economic benefits and minimizes undesirable consequences. This review examines research into available land areas, environmental impacts, barriers to uptake, and the challenges, benefits, and trade‐offs required to upscale miscanthus production on arable land and grassland in the United Kingdom. Expansion of perennial biomass crops has been considered best restricted to marginal land, less suited to food production. The review identifies a trade‐off between avoiding competition with food production and a risk of encroaching on areas containing high‐biodiversity or high‐carbon stocks, such as semi‐natural grasslands. If areas of land suitable for food production are needed to produce the biomass required for emission reduction, the review indicates there are multiple strategies for miscanthus to complement long‐term food security rather than compete with it. On arable land, a miscanthus rotation with a cycle length of 10–20 years can be employed as fallow period for fields experiencing yield decline, soil fatigue, or persistent weed problems. On improved grassland areas, miscanthus presents an option for diversification, flood mitigation, and water quality improvement. Strategies need to be developed to integrate miscanthus into farming systems in a way that is profitable, sensitive to local demand, climate, and geography, and complements rather than competes with food production by increasing overall farm profitability and resilience.

Land use/land cover dynamics in the northern watershed of lake Tana: implications for water quality

Rapid population growth-induced urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, settlement expansion and habitat destruction are significant drivers of LU/LC change at global scale. The uncontrolled LU/LC change, specifically in developing countries like Ethiopia, poses significant environmental threats to water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This study, therefore, examined LU/LC trends in the Lake Tana catchment, Ethiopia from 1993 to 2022, analyzed the impact of changes on water quality and identified major driving factors for policy input. ArcGIS software and Landsat imagery were employed toproduce maps for 10 years. Water quality data were obtained from primary and secondary sources from 2002 to 2022. The relationship between LU/LC changes and water quality was examined using Pearson’s correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). Results revealed significant (p &amp;lt; 0.05) spatio-temporal variations in water quality parameters, with almost all parameters showing a substantial increase from 2002 to 2012 and some declined in 2022. LU/LC changes were categorized into six classes with an overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 92.2% and 0.86%, respectively. Various LU/LC classes were highly correlated with a particular water quality parameter. Settlement and crop land expansion were positively correlated with nutrients such as (NH3− + NH4+-N), NO3-N, SRP, and TP. Forestation was positively correlated with good water quality such as DO and pH, while they were negatively correlated with temperature, EC, SRP, and NO3-N demonstrating a strong linkage between LU/LC and water quality. These findings therefore, validate the significance of prioritizing LU/LC changes for sustainable water quality and ecosystem service improvement in the Lake Tana catchment.

Combination of ultrafiltration, activated carbon and disinfection as tertiary treatment of urban wastewater for reuse in agriculture

In the present study, three ceramic ultrafiltration (UF) membranes UF1 (20 nm), UF2 (50 nm) and UF3 (100 nm) were optimized using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) to determine the most adaptable membrane for reuse. The effectiveness of membranes was based on the retention capacity of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand at 5 days (BOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS) as a function of transmembrane pressure (TMP), circulation velocity (CV) and volume concentration factor (VCF). In addition, the study investigated membrane fouling based on the variation in permeate flux under different operational conditions. Among the tested membranes, UF1 demonstrated superior retention efficiency compared to UF2 and UF3. Using granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) with UF1 significantly improved water quality. Moreover, the combination of UF1 separately with GAC and PAC reduced amoxicillin residues by 60 % and 69 %, respectively. Furthermore, the UF1 membrane alone showed significant removal of bacterial loads, exceeding 90 % removal of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli, as well as complete (100 %) elimination of helminth eggs. The treatment process ended with disinfection by sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), providing total (100 %) elimination of all remaining bacteria in the water.

Evaluating impacts of climate and management on reservoir water quality using environmental fluid dynamics code

Climate change and human interference, notably nutrient input, affect the water quality. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are pivotal in managing eutrophication. This study investigated the effects of water dynamics and chemical constituents on water quality in Hongfeng Lake, a typical weakly stratified reservoir suffering from algae blooms in Southwest China, using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code. Leveraging climate, hydrological, and water quality data, we constructed, calibrated, and validated the temperature-hydrodynamics-water quality-sediment model. Various scenarios were analyzed, including wind speed, air temperature, solar radiation, rainfall, water discharge, N and P external input, and internal release. The findings revealed that no rain and warming increased trophic state index (TSI) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, and no solar radiation initially elevated nitrate concentration, followed by an increase in ammonium concentration. Besides, no solar radiation and changes in rainfall significantly increased total phosphate concentration. The management scenarios of N and P reduction, halving tributary, and mainstream flow scenarios improved water quality and reduced eutrophication. The wind speed under the N and P reduced scenarios showed that a doubling in wind led to increased concentrations of the particulate organic matter, Chl-a, and dissolved oxygen, alongside decreased ammonium and nitrate, while TSI exhibited minimal change. However, 5- and 10-times wind speed scenarios amplified TSI in shallow water, potentially due to a substantial rise in internal nutrient release. The degradation trend observed in drinking water quality amid climate change (warming and flooding) raises concerns regarding health-related risks. These simulations provided the quantified influence of climate change and environmental management strategies on water quality in the weakly stratified reservoir, notably highlighting the looming threat of exacerbated eutrophication due to warming, necessitating more stringent N and P reduction measures compared to current practices.

Water quality and wetland vegetation responses to water level variations in a university stormwater reuse reservoir: Nature-based approaches to campus water sustainability

In response to climate-driven water shortages, Duke University in 2014 constructed a water reuse reservoir and wetland complex (Pond) to capture urban stormwater and recycle water to provide campus cooling and reduce downstream loading of nutrients and sediment into Jordan Lake, a regional water supply. We postulated that even with significant water level changes due to withdrawals, the Pond would function to reduce downstream nutrients and sediment once wetland plants became established in the littoral zone. Throughout the project (2015–2021), baseflow nutrient concentrations downstream decreased, with Unfiltered Total Nitrogen (UTN) falling by 44 % and Unfiltered Total Phosphorus (UTP) by 50 %. Storm mean concentrations decreased by 31 % for UTN, 54 % for UTP, and 72 % for Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The annual reductions in mass fluxes (UTN, UTP, and TSS) were between 58 and 85 % across a range of storm intensities. Regardless of water level, temperature, pH, and oxygen concentrations downstream were not significantly changed. Between 2015 and 2020, a littoral survey of planted and naturally introduced species showed that wetter years resulted in a greater number of species across a gradient of three inundation zones (i.e., moist, wet, and aquatic). Conversely, dryer years resulted in fewer species across overlapping zones. The dominant plants that successfully colonized the Pond are all obligate wetland species despite the Pond's highly variable water depths and periods of inundation. The final plant populations were dominated by invasive native species supporting the self-design theory of plant succession as nearly half of the original planted species died. The reuse Pond design (pond-wetland complex) showed the capability of using stormwater runoff for campus cooling while improving water quality services and providing habitat for wetland plants. Thus, campuses with watershed runoff capture capability should consider a nature-based recycling approach as part of their water sustainability program.

Biopolymeric Composite Columns for Improving Water Quality in a Freshwater Stream Receiving Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents

AbstractInefficiently treated wastewater, which contains a high concentration of pollutants, is hazardous when it is mixed with the clean water of rivers and lakes. Nitrate in particular is a major global problem that leads to eutrophication and poses a threat to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. To address this issue, this work assessed the efficiency of polymeric cryogel (PC) and biopolymer (EPS)-blended composites (EPS@PC) in removing nitrates. Tests were also conducted to quantify the decrease in phosphate, chloride ions, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in real water samples taken from the Ankara stream, which receives effluents from both urban (UWTP) and industrial (IWTP) wastewater treatment plants. Five different columns with varying adsorptive properties were prepared, some of which were combined with iron. The EPS-@PC-C5 column demonstrated the highest adsorption ratio for nitrate removal compared to the other tested columns. The EPS@PC-C5 achieved a high removal efficiency of 126.38 mg nitrate/g and showed COD reduction ranging from 60.2 to 94.1%. The removal ratio of chloride concentration varied between 56.0 and 75.7%, while the removal of phosphates ranged from 87 to 99%. Columns composed of EPS (EPS@PC) with both negatively and positively charged ligands are dependable and suitable options for water remediation. Graphical Abstract

Analysis of Spatiotemporal Variation and Driving Factors of Water Quality in the Xiangjiang River Basin from 1990 to 2016

In order to explore the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and driving mechanism of water quality in the Xiangjiang River Basin, the data of 16 water quality parameters at 113 stations over 26 years from 1990 to 2016 in the Xiangjiang River Basin were collected for synthetically assessing the water quality and identifying its main pollutants through the water quality index and other methods. The causal mechanism of water quality, especially the driving effect of water level and land use pattern, was analyzed. The results showed that： ① The overall water quality grade of the Xiangjiang River Basin during the study period was "good." However, the water quality deteriorated first （from 1990 to 2003） and then improved （from 2004 to 2016）. The season variation in water quality was not obvious, but the water quality fluctuation of the wet season was larger. The water pollution load of the main stream decreased successively from the middle reaches, downstream reaches, and upstream reaches. The upstream tributaries had the best water quality, whereas areas with poor water quality were mainly distributed at the mouth of the middle and downstream tributaries, especially in areas where multiple tributaries converged. ② Toxic heavy metals had the characteristics of toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. If they exceeded a certain concentration in water, they were difficult to purify, posing great harm to the natural environment and human health. The toxic metal index （CI1） was the leading factor affecting water quality, in which Hg and Cd were the main parameters affecting the overall water quality of the Xiangjiang River Basin. ③ The water level had a positive impact on the water quality of the Xiangjiang River by diluting environmental parameters. Land type had little effect on heavy metal concentration, whereas forest land could improve water quality. Grassland had a negative correlation with permanganate index over a large scale range （≥ 5 km）. The increase in water bodies, arable land, and impermeable surface areas within the watershed increased the probability of high fecal coliform concentration in the water body. ④ With the increase in buffer distance, the water quality explained by the land use pattern increased. On the scale of 10 km buffer zone in the riparian zone, the explanation degree by land use pattern on water quality was the highest, which was an effective scale for water quality control of the Xiangjiang River. This research showed that the driving factors of heavy metal pollution and other pollution were different, but their regional differences were all obvious in the Xiangjiang River Basin. Therefore, pollution control should be classified and taken according to local conditions.

Crossflow microsand filtration in cooling tower systems to control fouling in heat exchanger devices

In the context of global warming, there is a growing need for high-performance heat, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Fouling is a challenge, affecting heat exchanger operational and energetic performance. Side stream filtration can be used to improve water quality by reducing particle concentration in the system. The aim of this study was to assess a crossflow microsand filtration unit's efficacy in reducing fouling within an 81-plate heat exchanger, in an in-situ cooling tower circuit. A pilot heat exchanger without filtration was operated under similar conditions. After 3 years of continuous operation, visual inspection of the full-scale heat exchanger plates operating with filtration showed minimal accumulation. Pairs of facing plates (7) were scraped and rinsed to collect total solids accumulated on surfaces. Samples were resuspended and analyzed for solids and metal concentration measurements. Low average values of total volatile solids (45 μg/cm2) and total solids (93 μg/cm2) were indicative of a low biofilm formation. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of calcite associated to water hardness. Low levels of iron and copper were detected despite slightly corrosive water. In contrast, the pilot heat exchanger exhibited higher deposit accumulation of total volatile solids (90 μg/cm2) and total solids (110 μg/cm2) after only 12 weeks of operation. These findings underscore the role of side stream filtration in reducing particle deposition and biofouling potential in full-scale cooling tower systems. Crossflow microsand filtration is a promising avenue to control fouling in building cooling tower systems, which could contribute in improving the building's energetic performance.

Ecotoxicity threshold values for 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, carbendazim, dimethoate and methoxyfenozide in fresh and marine waters: Part 1. Derivation of threshold values

Pesticide active ingredients are frequently detected in the rivers, creeks, wetlands, estuaries, and marine waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region and are one of the main contributors to poor water quality. Pesticide concentrations detected in the environment through water quality monitoring programs can be compared against estimates of ecologically “safe” concentrations (i.e., water quality guidelines) to assess the potential hazard and risk posed to aquatic ecosystems. Water quality guidelines are also required to estimate the aquatic risk posed by pesticide mixtures, which is used for the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan pesticide target. Seventy-four pesticide active ingredients and their degradates are frequently detected in GBR catchment waterways, however many do not have water quality guidelines in the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. The current study derives ecotoxicity threshold values (ETVs) as unendorsed guideline values for active ingredients in two fungicides (4-hydroxychlorothalonil (fungicide degradate) and carbendazim) and two insecticides (dimethoate and methoxyfenozide) that are commonly detected in GBR catchment waterways. The proposed ETVs have been derived using species sensitivity distributions, as recommended in the Australian and New Zealand nationally endorsed method for deriving water quality guidelines for aquatic ecosystem protection. Four ETVs were derived for each chemical with values that should theoretically protect 99, 95, 90 and 80 % of species (i.e., PC99, PC95, PC90, PC80, respectively). The PC99 and PC95 values for 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, carbendazim, dimethoate and methoxyfenozide were 0.49 μg/L and 4 μg/L, 0.029 μg/L and 0.45 μg/L, 0.11 μg/L and 5.8 μg/L and 0.19 μg/L and 2 μg/L, respectively. The ETVs will be used in an ecological hazard and risk assessment across GBR waterways in part two of this study. The ETVs can also be used to assess potential risk across Australia and internationally where monitoring data are available.

Land Cover Dynamics and Environmental Implications in Türkiye’s Riparian Zones: A Comprehensive Seven-Year Study

This study examines the Riparian Buffer Zones (RBZs) in Türkiye, analyzing land cover changes from 2017 to 2023 to assess their effectiveness in ecological conservation and water resource management. The research employs Esri-Sentinel land cover data, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation models, and RiverATLAS data to identify and delineate RBZs, classify land cover types, and evaluate trends and changes over seven years. The findings indicate that 44.8% of RBZs are covered by ‘Rangelands’, 32.2% by ‘Crops’, and 16.1% by ‘Trees’ classes. The study notes a considerable increase in built areas and agricultural fields, which may indicate ongoing urban expansion and its potential impact on the effectiveness of RBZs. Despite regulatory efforts, the substantial presence of agriculture within RBZs indicates a need for more robust environmental protection policies. The results indicate a pressing need for a policy reassessment to enhance forest cover within RBZs and reduce agricultural encroachment. This would improve water quality and facilitate the achievement of sustainability goals numbered 2, 3, 6, 11, 14 and 15. The findings thus call for a strategic enhancement of RBZ management to better protect water resources against the adverse effects of agricultural and urban activities.

Electrochemical activity of self-supporting nitrogen-doped graphene for the degradation and in-situ determination of methylene blue

Environmentally friendly wastewater treatment and online pollution monitoring systems, important for water quality control, are yet to be developed. Electrochemical strategies combining the electrocatalytic degradation and electroanalysis of organic pollutants are expected to achieve this key technology. This study employed a chemical vapor deposition method using N₂ gas as the nitrogen source and applying an alternating electric field to prepare self-supporting nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) tubes with a wall thickness of up to 480 μm comprising few-layer NG nanosheets. The correlation between the properties of these materials and the electrocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) was investigated. The feasibility of the electrochemical strategy for online wastewater treatment and detection was validated using a combination of UV–visible spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry. The NG tube with the N-C bond distribution regulated by adjusting the methane flow rate and growth time exhibited high electrocatalytic activity, rapidly degrading 50 mg L⁻¹ of MB within 36 min and tracking changes in MB concentration. The NG tubes were assembled in an electrocatalytic meter pen for water treatment, achieving a degradation efficiency of 99.4 % and a detection limit of 0.3 mg L−1 for the MB solution, quite satisfactory for emerging simultaneous degradation and monitoring processes. The developed self-supporting NG tubes are promising materials for electrocatalytic degradation anodes and sensing electrodes in water treatment. Dual-functional electrocatalytic systems have potential applications in water quality monitoring and improvement.

BRACKISH WATER DESALINATION IN SUNGAI ITIK AREA USING REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) METHOD

This research addresses the complexities of treating brackish and seawater from Sungai Itik using Reverse Osmosis (RO), emphasizing advanced pre-treatment methods, hybrid RO systems, and fouling control. Pilot-scale tests confirmed the feasibility of these approaches in meeting clean water standards and balancing economic and environmental sustainability.Using a single ultra-low pressure (ULP) RO membrane, salinity decreased by 57.36%, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) by 25.76%, and watercolor by 63.25%, achieving improved water quality. Expanding to a ULP and Brackish Water (BW) membrane combination further reduced salinity by 40.63%, TDS by 35.76%, and watercolor by 92.13%, highlighting the benefits of hybrid systems for varied water conditions. In seawater treatment, a ULP membrane reduced salinity by 69.48%, TDS by 93.49%, and watercolor by 97.74%, proving effective for converting seawater to potable or industrial-grade water. Combining ULP and BW membranes achieved salinity reductions of 94.67%, TDS by 94.02%, and watercolor by 34.94%, which is crucial for applications needing ultra-clean water. These findings underscore RO's potential to mitigate water quality challenges and support sustainable water management in diverse environments.