Integrated Environmental Monitoring Research Articles

Determining the directions of dangerous ecogeochemical impact of surface reservoirs of highly mineralized mine and open pit waters using a complex of geological and geophysical data

The issues of effective use of geological and geophysical methods for spatial assessment of dangerous ecogeochemical impact of storage ponds of highly mineralized mine and open pit waters are considered. An example of such an object is the Svystunovo gully (volume – 12 million m3), into which water is pumped out from all working open pits and mines of Southern and partially Central Kryvbas. To solve ecogeochemical problems associated with dangerous influence of such storage ponds, a well-known method for restoring Precambrian fault systems using a complex of geological, geophysical and geomorphological data was taken. At all research scales, based on the results of calculations of the significance of “weights” of fault signs, a clear trend was revealed for predominance of diagonal fault systems with strike azimuths: 35° - 305° and 45° - 315°. The spatial combination of tectonic information with results of detailed electrical exploration work made it possible to identify local directions of propagation of dangerous ecogeochemical influence of the studied storage pond of highly mineralized waters by anomalies of decrease / increase in geoelectric resistance in the emerging geochemical block of local system of integrated environmental monitoring of Southern Kryvbas.

Microbial, chemical, and isotopic monitoring integrated approach to assess potential leachate contamination of groundwater in a karstic aquifer (Apulia, Italy)

Landfill sites are subjected to long-term risks of accidental spill of leachate through the soil and consequential contamination of the groundwater. Wide areas surrounding the landfill can seriously be threatened with possible consequences to human health and the environment. Given the potential impact of different coexisting anthropic pollution sources (i.e., agriculture and cattle farming) on the same site, the perturbation of the groundwater quality may be due to multiple factors. Therefore, it is a challenging issue to correctly establish the pollution source of an aquifer where the landfill is not isolated from other anthropic land uses, especially in the case of a karstic coastal aquifer. The present study is aimed at setting in place an integrated environmental monitoring system that included microbiological, chemical, and isotope methods to evaluate potential groundwater pollution in a landfill district in the south of Italy located in Murgia karstic aquifer. Conventional (microbial plate count and physical–chemical analyses) and advanced methods (PCR-ARISA, isotope analysis of δ18O, δ2H, 3H, δ 13C, δ 15N-NO3−, and δ 18O-NO3−) were included in the study. Through data integration, it was possible to reconstruct a scenario in which agriculture and other human activities along with seawater intrusion in the karst aquifer were the main drivers of groundwater pollution at the monitored site. The microbiological, chemical, and isotope results confirmed the absence of leachate effects on groundwater quality, showing the decisive role of fertilizers as potential nitrate sources. The next goal will be to extend long-term integrated monitoring to other landfill districts, with different geological and hydrogeological characteristics and including different sources of pollution, to support the ecological restoration of landfills.

Methodology for forecasting and modeling the migration of pollutants in the system of integrated environmental monitoring of chemically hazardous objects

Methodology for forecasting and modeling the migration of pollutants in the system of integrated environmental monitoring of chemically hazardous objects

Peculiarities of state control to water objects with using of radar systems

The necessity of monitoring the condition of water bodies is substantiated. The method of environmental monitoring of the water surface using radar systems is considered. The results of online monitoring, rapid monitoring technologies, and an integrated environmental monitoring system of water surfaces using radar methods were processed. The comparison of various results of water surface monitoring was carried out to determine the adequacy of the data obtained as a result of radar monitoring. Recommendations for expanding the capabilities of radar monitoring are proposed.

Экологически допустимые уровни металлов в озере Биенда-Стемме (Западный Шпицберген)

The relevance of the study is due to the need to improve integrated environmental monitoring for the Russian Federation in fulfilling its international obligations to monitor heavy metals in the Arctic. The article considers the calculations of environmentally permissible levels of metals in Lake Bienda-Stemme. The authors present the calculation results of environmentally permissible levels (EAL) of seven metals in the water of Lake Bienda-Stemme (iron, manganese, nickel, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper). They reveal a statistically significant relationship between the EAL values and metal clarkes in the earth’s crust.

Toward Integrated Large-Scale Environmental Monitoring Using WSN/UAV/Crowdsensing: A Review of Applications, Signal Processing, and Future Perspectives.

Fighting Earth’s degradation and safeguarding the environment are subjects of topical interest and sources of hot debate in today’s society. According to the United Nations, there is a compelling need to take immediate actions worldwide and to implement large-scale monitoring policies aimed at counteracting the unprecedented levels of air, land, and water pollution. This requires going beyond the legacy technologies currently employed by government authorities and adopting more advanced systems that guarantee a continuous and pervasive monitoring of the environment in all its different aspects. In this paper, we take the research on integrated and large-scale environmental monitoring a step further by providing a comprehensive review that covers transversally all the main applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and crowdsensing monitoring technologies. By outlining the available solutions and current limitations, we identify in the cooperation among terrestrial (WSN/crowdsensing) and aerial (UAVs) sensing, coupled with the adoption of advanced signal processing techniques, the major pillars at the basis of future integrated (air, land, and water) and large-scale environmental monitoring systems. This review not only consolidates the progresses achieved in the field of environmental monitoring, but also sheds new lights on potential future research directions and synergies among different research areas.

Development of an integrated environmental monitoring protocol for SARS-CoV-2 contamination. Applications at the IRCSS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital in Genoa, Italy

Scientific backgroundEnvironmental sampling of SARS-CoV-2 is a fundamental tool for evaluating the effectiveness of non-specific prophylaxis measures in counteracting virus spread. The purpose of our work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the different sampling methods in the hospital setting to assess their correlation with the structural, functional, and operational situation of the monitored departments and to define the dynamics of the spread of the virus in indoor environments. MethodsThe monitoring (air bubbling sampling, surface wipe test) was carried out at the San Martino Polyclinic Hospital (Genoa, Italy) in the period since April 2020 to June 2021. The presence of viral RNA in the collected samples was evaluated by qPCR. The infection capacity of the samples collected was also evaluated by an in vitro challenge test on cells sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 infection. ResultsThe percentage of positivity with respect to the number of tests performed (sensitivity) were air bubbler 50%, wipe test 17%, and challenge test 11%. Only 20% of the samples tested positive in the wipe test and 43% of the samples tested positive in the bubbler sampling were also positive in the challenge test. All the positivity obtained was detected at a distance of less than 2 m and height of less than 1.5 from COVID-19 patients. ConclusionsEnvironmental contamination from SARS-CoV-2 detected at the San Martino Polyclinic Hospital is found lower than similar assessments performed in other hospitals both in Italy and abroad. Our study predicted that environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 must be carried out in an integrated way by not using a single sampling method, as each individual test has a different biological significance and performance. However, the virus detected by wipe test only is often a degraded viral fragment and not an intact infecting virion.

The integrated environmental monitoring system as a key factor of environmental safety of chemical weapons storage and destruction facilities

In the destruction of chemical weapons initiated in the Russian Federation in 1996, environmental safety issues played a key role in the creation of facilities for storing and destroying chemical weapons. The process of destroying chemical weapons is at the stage of eliminating consequences of activities and involving former destruction facilities in the economic turnover. The issue of development of safety systems is relevant. The purpose of the article is to study problems in the system of environmental safety insurance at chemical weapons destruction facilities and to identify possible ways of further development. The main methods used are analysis of information, induction, analogies, and generalization. The following conclusions were drawn: the environmental safety system fits into the system of safety insurance; the key subsystem is highly accurate and prompt environmental monitoring. Responding to the principles of the construction of head systems, complex monitoring systems were created at chemical weapons destruction facilities. The improvement of this subsystem can improve the environmental safety at these facilities; further development of the integrated environmental monitoring system requires the methods of data analysis and processing tools. Since the result of the monitoring system is information, its processing and interpretation is the most complex and time-consuming process. The use of modern information processing tools can reduce the time for an analysis, improve the quality, and create an information base for decision support systems in the environmental safety system. The research made it possible to outline further ways to improve the environmental safety systems at chemical weapons destruction facilities, which will further ensure the environmental safety and sustainability of chemical weapons destruction facilities and other potentially dangerous facilities that affect the environment.

ТЕОРЕТИКО-ПРАКТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ ПІСЛЯПРОЕКТНОГО КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ЕКОЛОГІЧНОГО МОНІТОРИНГУ В ПРОЦЕДУРІ ОЦІНКИ ВПЛИВУ НА ДОВКІЛЛЯ

Purpose. The results of theoretical and practical research on the development of a conceptual approach to the for-mation of reports on the results of integrated post-project environmental monitoring are presented. Post-project monitor-ing is part of the process of assessing the environmental impact of technogenic objects. Methodology. The scientific component of the analysis of the results of the complex of field observations is provided by the use of methods of com-parative analysis, as well as verification of the results of chemical and physico-chemical quantitative analysis using biomonitoring methods. Originality. The complexity of the conducted monitoring researches is offered to provide inte-gration of various methods of supervision over a condition of the basic components of environment on which probable negative influence can be carried out. An integrated approach allows you to identify priority impacts and provide rec-ommendations on this basis. Taking into account the above recommendations will help increase the level of environ-mental safety in the production process. Practical value. An example of practical implementation of post-project inte-grated environmental monitoring based on the results of the evaluation of the PJSC "Kremenchug River Port" is given. The company continues to develop the Kryachynivsky deposit of construction sands. According to the results of generalization of materials of field observations and control, it is concluded that the planned activities as a result of its practical implementation does not lead to excessive man-made load on environmental components (air, surface water, bottom soils) in the area. The main recommendation for reducing the anthropogenic load in the process of work is the object's compliance with the requirements set out in the environmental impact assessment report. At the same time, taking into account the results of comprehensive scientific monitoring, more specific proposals were provided: 1) strict compliance with technological regulations to prevent oil-containing substances from entering the watercourse; 2) PJSC "Kremenchug River Port" must develop and comply with restrictions on activities during periods of adverse weather conditions. References 10, tables 3, figures 4.

Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements in the foundry industry: an integrated environmental and biological monitoring

Industrial foundry processes release metal dust and fumes into the environment. Our study evaluated the exposure to potentially toxic elements in foundry workers. The assessed samples consisted of air particulate matter (n = 42), urine (n = 194), and blood (n = 167). Six workers had high concentrations of arsenic (As) in urine and one of them had a high cadmium (Cd) content in blood, according to Biological Exposure Index from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The work task significantly influenced the concentrations of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in air, barium (Ba) in urine, and lead (Pb) and cesium (Cs) in blood, while the employment years affected concentrations of Mn, tin (Sn), and uranium (U) in urine and iodine (I) in blood. Arsenic, Pb, Co, and Cd in particulate matter and biological matrices presented significant covariation by working activity, supporting the occupational exposure. In this study, subjects were occupationally exposed to multiple potentially toxic elements. Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks were associated with As, Co, Ni, and Mn exposure.

Microcystin ELISA in water and animal serum for an integrated environmental monitoring strategy

ABSTRACT Free-range livestock can be exposed to toxic cyanobacteria by drinking water from eutrophic natural sources. This study reports on the analysis of livestock drinking water sources from ranches in an eutrophic subtropical basin of South America (33ºS, 57°W), where frequent Microcystis spp. blooms and occasionally dense scums were found. To minimise monitoring costs, microcystins (MCs) were determined in serum and water with an in-house developed enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The water results were compared with those of liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the most common congeners (MC-LR, MC-RR; MC-YR, MC-LA). Both methods were strongly correlated along a broad range of concentrations. The concentrations of MCs in the livestock drinking water were up to 3,700 µg/L. This is about 1,000 times higher than the Australian and New Zealand livestock MCs guidance values (cattle = 4.2; sheep = 3.9 µg/L) as well as the California-EPA sub-chronic action level (3 µg/L) and implies a high risk of poisoning. The animals exposed to MCs concentrations 70–100 times higher than these guidelines showed no significant alterations in liver enzymes. Nevertheless, serum concentrations of up to 0.11 µg/L MCs were recorded by ELISA. These results reveal the potential of MCs-ELISA in serum as a sensitive, minimally invasive method for risk assessment in integrated environmental monitoring strategies.

Persoalan Hukum Penyelesaian Hak atas Tanah dan Lingkungan Berdasarkan Perubahan Undang-Undang Minerba

Law Number 3 of 2020 on Amendments to Law Number 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining (Law No.3 of 2020) contains substantial problems. The problems are first, regarding the settlement of land rights for problematic mineral and coal mining business activities, second, regarding the licensing mechanism and environmental supervision of mining areas after Law No. 3 of 2020. Th e method of this study method is normative legal research with a case approach. The results of his research conclude, first, the settlement of land rights for mining by the central government will obscure the state's function as regulator and licensee; second, mining environmental permits and supervision have not been based on environmental policies, and there is no implementation of an integrated environmental monitoring system in the regions.

Ecological Monitoring of Specially Protected Natural Areas of the Russian Arctic

active industrial development of the Russian Arctic leads to the increase of anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems. One of the main ways to preserve unique territories is the establishment of special regimes for natural resources use and environmental protection, including monitoring of environmental pollution. The creation of network of integrated environmental monitoring in specially protected natural areas will allow studying the environmental response to anthropogenic impact, as well as monitoring the biosphere in places distant from production activity. The conducted analysis of environmental threats, and ongoing environmental monitoring activities, has shown the need to establish programs for environmental monitoring in specially protected natural areas. In the long term, monitoring components will be integrated into a single network that will provide information for assessing the effectiveness of environmental measures; data on the dynamics of natural processes. This network is supposed to help identify the most vulnerable components of the biosphere as well.

Water Quality Anomaly Monitoring Based on Kalman Filter and Convolution Neural Network

Aiming at the problem of integrated environmental monitoring of water quality pollution, a method of water quality anomaly monitoring using Kalman filter and Convolution Neural Network(CNN) is proposed. In this method, the fish is segmented by Mask R-CNN image segmentation method, the positive and negative sample data sets of the backbone and background images of the fish are made, and the model is obtained by using convolution neural network training data set. In the process of tracking, the RANSAC algorithm is used to screen the SIFT feature matching and Kalman filter is used to track the fish and draw the moving track in real time. The motion trajectory is saved every 3 seconds, a total of 150000 samples of normal and abnormal water quality are obtained. The experimental results show that the recognition rate of water quality anomaly based on Kalman filter and Convolution Neural Network is 98.5%, this method is superior to traditional water quality identification methods.

Development of an automated system for integrated environmental monitoring of a municipal waste landfill

The necessity of developing a model for monitoring emissions and discharges from a municipal solid waste landfill at the border of the sanitary protection zone is substantiated. An integrated model for monitoring the state of atmospheric pollution has been developed, taking into account the forecast calculation of emissions and operational monitoring. A truth table was compiled for determining the states of the MSW polygon. A minimization of the disjunctive normal form was carried out using Karnaugh maps, a relay-contact scheme of automated environmental monitoring of the sanitary protection zone of MSW landfills was constructed. An automated operator workplace has been developed using the Omron hardware and software system. Numerical calculation of emissions of impurities into the atmosphere are carried out with the help of Ansys Workbench.

Automated multivariate analysis of multi-sensor data submitted online: Real-time environmental monitoring.

A pilot study demonstrating real-time environmental monitoring with automated multivariate analysis of multi-sensor data submitted online has been performed at the cabled LoVe Ocean Observatory located at 258 m depth 20 km off the coast of Lofoten-Vesterålen, Norway. The major purpose was efficient monitoring of many variables simultaneously and early detection of changes and time-trends in the overall response pattern before changes were evident in individual variables. The pilot study was performed with 12 sensors from May 16 to August 31, 2015. The sensors provided data for chlorophyll, turbidity, conductivity, temperature (three sensors), salinity (calculated from temperature and conductivity), biomass at three different depth intervals (5–50, 50–120, 120–250 m), and current speed measured in two directions (east and north) using two sensors covering different depths with overlap. A total of 88 variables were monitored, 78 from the two current speed sensors. The time-resolution varied, thus the data had to be aligned to a common time resolution. After alignment, the data were interpreted using principal component analysis (PCA). Initially, a calibration model was established using data from May 16 to July 31. The data on current speed from two sensors were subject to two separate PCA models and the score vectors from these two models were combined with the other 10 variables in a multi-block PCA model. The observations from August were projected on the calibration model consecutively one at a time and the result was visualized in a score plot. Automated PCA of multi-sensor data submitted online is illustrated with an attached time-lapse video covering the relative short time period used in the pilot study. Methods for statistical validation, and warning and alarm limits are described. Redundant sensors enable sensor diagnostics and quality assurance. In a future perspective, the concept may be used in integrated environmental monitoring.

Long-term sulphate and inorganic nitrogen mass balance budgets in European ICP Integrated Monitoring catchments (1990–2012)

Empirical evidence based on integrated environmental monitoring including physical, chemical and biological variables is essential for evaluating the ecosystem benefits of costly emission reduction policies. The international multidisciplinary ICP IM (International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems) programme studies the integrated effects of air pollution and climate change on ecosystems in unmanaged and calibrated forested catchments. We calculated site-specific annual input-output budgets for sulphate (SO4) and total inorganic nitrogen (TINNO3-N+NH4-N) for 17 European ICP IM sites in 1990–2012. Temporal trends for input (deposition) and output (runoff water) fluxes and the net retention/net release of SO4 and TIN were also analysed. Large differences in the input and output fluxes of SO4 and TIN reflect important gradients of air pollution effects in Europe, with the highest deposition and runoff water fluxes at IM sites located in southern Scandinavia and in parts of Central and Eastern Europe and the lowest fluxes at more remote sites in northern European regions. A significant decrease in the total (wet+dry) deposition of non-marine SO4 and bulk deposition of TIN was found at 90% and 65% of the sites, respectively. Output fluxes of non-marine SO4 in runoff decreased significantly at 65% of the sites, indicating positive effects of the international emission abatement actions in Europe during the last 20 years. Catchments retained SO4 in the early and mid-1990s, but this shifted towards a net release in the late 1990s, which may be due to the mobilization of legacy S pools accumulated during times of high atmospheric SO4 deposition. Despite decreased deposition, TIN output fluxes and retention rates showed a mixed response with both decreasing (9 sites) and increasing (8 sites) trend slopes, and trends were rarely significant. In general, TIN was strongly retained in the catchments not affected by natural disturbances. The long-term annual variation in net releases for SO4 was explained by variations in runoff and SO4 concentrations in deposition, while a variation in TIN concentrations in runoff was mostly associated with a variation of the TIN retention rate in catchments. The net release of SO4 from forest soils may delay the recovery from acidification for surface waters and the continued enrichment of nitrogen in catchment soils poses a threat to terrestrial biodiversity and may ultimately lead to a higher TIN runoff through N-saturation. Continued monitoring and further evaluations of mass balance budgets are thus needed.

Providing information on environmental change: Data management, discovery and access in the UK Environmental Change Network Data Centre

Development of a clearer understanding of the causes and consequences of environmental change is an important issue globally. The consequent demand for objective, reliable and up-to-date environmental information has led to the establishment of long-term integrated environmental monitoring programmes, including the UK's Environmental Change Network (ECN). Databases form the core information resource for such programmes. The UK Environmental Change Network Data Centre manages data on behalf of ECN (as well as other related UK integrated environmental monitoring networks) and provides a robust and integrated system of information management. This paper describes how data are captured – through standardised protocols and data entry systems – as well more recent approaches such as wireless sensors. Data are managed centrally through a database and GIS. Quality control is built in at all levels of the system. Data are then made accessible through a variety of data access methods – through bespoke web interfaces, as well as third-party data portals. This paper describes the informatics approach of the ECN Data Centre which aims to develop a seamless system of data capture, management and data access interfaces to support research.

Survey of the terrestrial habitats and vegetation of Shetland, 1974 – a framework for long-term ecological monitoring

Abstract. A survey of the natural environment was undertaken in Shetland in 1974, after concern was expressed that large-scale development from the new oil industry could threaten the natural features of the islands. A framework was constructed by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology on which to select samples for the survey. The vegetation and habitat data that were collected, along with the sampling framework, have recently been made public via the following doi:10.5285/06fc0b8c-cc4a-4ea8-b4be-f8bd7ee25342 (Terrestrial habitat, vegetation and soil data from Shetland, 1974) and doi:10.5285/f1b3179e-b446-473d-a5fb-4166668da146 (Land Classification of Shetland 1974). In addition to providing valuable information about the state of the natural environment of Shetland, the repeatable and statistically robust methods developed in the survey were used to underpin the Countryside Survey, Great Britain's national long-term integrated environmental monitoring programme. The demonstration of the effectiveness of the methodology indicates that a repeat of the Shetland survey would yield statistics about ecological changes in the islands, such as those arising from the impacts of the oil industry, a range of socio-economic impacts, and perhaps climate change. Currently no such figures are available, although there is much information on the sociological impacts, as well as changes in agriculture.

Sochi-2014 integrated environmental monitoring system

Described is the integrated environmental monitoring system (IEMS) in tended for monitoring the Sochi National Park and adjacent areas. Its operation before, during, and after the Sochi-2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games is analyzed. The IEMS elements cover the major abiotic components of the environment in the coastal and mountain clusters of the Olympic village: air, surface water, sea water, soil, and biota in the Sochi National Park. The continuous operation of IEMS made possible the operational as sessment of the current environmental conditions in the areas of public events, to observe their actual variations, to study the dynamics of the spatial and temporal propagation of the analyzed components, to identify the most probable sources of pollution, and to predict the development of the situation using meteorological data.