Water Pollution Research Articles

Citizen-Based Water Quality Monitoring: Field Testing a User-Friendly Sensor for Phosphate Detection in Global Surface Waters.

Widespread concern over surface water pollution has led to interest in developing easy-to-use accurate tools for citizen-based measurements that provide high spatial and temporal resolution while maintaining accuracy. Excessive anthropogenic phosphate significantly contributes to global eutrophication and necessitates regular on-site phosphate monitoring in surface waters. Traditional instrumentation for quantifying phosphate is labor-intensive, expensive, and performed in laboratories. Existing on-site testing methods relying on phosphomolybdenum blue (PMB) have limited sensitivity and stability under ambient conditions. To overcome these limitations, a novel low-cost, rapid, and user-friendly sensor for citizen-led phosphate monitoring in surface water is introduced and demonstrated with a global sampling campaign. The fast-flow microfluidic device provides user-friendly operation, achieving an environmentally relevant limit of detection (LoD) of 190 ppb, which is near the EPA-recommended maximum for phosphate. The dip-and-read operation reduces procedural steps while delivering accurate sample volume, making it well-suited for citizen-led science initiatives. This sensor exhibits high selectivity and prolonged stability for two months under ambient conditions. The sensor's performance was validated using the industry-standard UV-Vis method with 90% correlation. More than 1000 sensors were deployed in different continents, facilitating phosphate mapping in diverse water sources across multiple continents. The initiative covered much of the globe, including Thailand, Nepal, Brazil, Chile, the USA, and Germany. In some cases, phosphate levels exceeded legislative guidelines by 100-fold. Through the collaboration of citizen scientists, we analyzed regional topography and socioeconomic practices near water sources, identifying potential sources that could contribute to eutrophication in these areas.

Mobile-Controlled River Cleaning Robot: A Review

This project focuses more on "Remote Controlled Unmanned River Cleaning Bot". In India water pollution is increasing day by day, Water pollution is a significant environmental issue, with rivers often acting as the primary carriers of waste materials such as plastics, debris, and other pollutants. Current manual cleaning methods are inefficient, costly, and other pollutants. Current manual cleaning methods are inefficient, costly, and unable to access certain areas of the water. This paper presents the development of a mobile-controlled river cleaning robot designed to tackle these challenges. The robot can be remotely operated via a mobile application, allowing for precise control of its navigation and cleaning operations. It is equipped with waste collection mechanisms and sensors to detect and remove debris from the river’s surface. The study covers the design, hardware and software components, and testing of the robot in real-world conditions. Results indicate that the mobile-controlled robot offers an effective, cost-effcient, and environmentally sustainable solution for maintaining cleaner waterways. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize river cleaning processes and significantly reduce water pollution.

Mechanically Flexible, Large-Area Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Dendritic Au Films for Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Nanoplastics.

The escalating crisis of nanoplastic pollution in water and food products demands the development of novel methodologies for detection and recycling. Despite various techniques available, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is emerging as a highly efficient technique for the trace detection of micro/nanoplastics. However, the development of highly reproducible and stable, flexible SERS substrates that can be used for sensitive detection in environmental medium remains a challenge. Here, we report a fabrication of large-area, three-dimensional (3D), and highly flexible SERS substrate based on porous dendritic Au films onto a flexible indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate via facile, thermal evaporation of Au over the vacuum-compatible deep eutectic solvent (DES)-coated glass substrate and subsequent direct transfer process. The as-fabricated 3D dendritic Au/ITO flexible substrates can be used for ultrasensitive SERS detection of crystal violet (CV) as probe analyte molecules with the limit of detection (LOD) as low as 6.4 × 10-15 M, with good signal reproducibility (RSD of 11.3%). In addition, the substrate showed excellent sensitivity in detecting nanoplastics such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (200 nm) and polystyrene (100 nm) with LODs reaching up to 0.051 and 8.2 μg/mL, respectively. This work provides a facile approach for the preparation of highly flexible plasmonic substrates, showing great potential for the SERS detection of a variety of environmental pollutants.

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT USING GIS IN LAGOS STATE

Transportation infrastructure development poses significant environmental risks, including habitat disruption, air and water pollution, and climate change. This study develops a GIS-based framework for ecological risk assessment of transportation infrastructure development. This research identifies high-risk areas and prioritizes mitigation measures by integrating spatial analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, and expert consultations. The GIS-based approach evaluates environmental sensitivity, proximity to ecosystems, and potential hazards. Results provide valuable insights for sustainable transportation planning, policy-making, and ecological management. This study explored its application in solving Environmental Risk Assessment of Transportation Infrastructure Development GIS application in environmental Risk Assessment monitoring has mainly been divided into three aspects: water, soil, and atmosphere. Based on ArcGIS 10.1 software and ArcGIS 9.3.1 version, GIS has been applied in Transportation system monitoring and soil heavy metal concentration monitoring, respectively. A major function of planners is to promote the best use of a community's land and resources for different construction projects; especially critical are infrastructure projects on which economic development relies. Transportation projects typically involve both environmental and economic issues facing a community as it grows and changes. Considerations of sustainability, as well as the widespread use of collaborative planning, design, and construction, require tools that facilitate long-term impact analysis and easy communication among built-environment professionals. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is instrumental in studying transportation project impacts, but it is a time-consuming process because of the large number of dependent and independent variables involved. A vulnerability grade map and road distribution map were produced, providing an overall vulnerability score for each of the three planning alternatives considered. A road alignment was indicated as the preferred corridor, which was further recommended for a project development and environmental (PD&E) study.

Catalytic membrane with dual-layer structure for ultrafast degradation of emerging contaminants in surface water treatment

The catalytic membrane-based oxidation-filtration process integrates physical separation and chemical oxidation, offering a highly efficient water purification strategy. However, the oxidation-filtration process is limited in practical applications due to the short residence time of milliseconds within the catalytic layer and the interference of coexisting organic pollutants in real water. Herein, a dual-layer membrane containing a top selective layer and a bottom catalytic layer was fabricated using an in situ co-casting method with a double-blade knife. Experimental results demonstrated that the selective layer rejected macromolecular organic pollutants, thereby alleviating their interference with bisphenol A (BPA) degradation. Concurrently, the catalytic layer activated peracetic acid oxidant and achieved a high BPA degradation exceeding 90 % in milliseconds with reactive oxygen species (especially •OH). The finite-element analysis confirmed a high-concentration reaction field occupying the pore cavity of the catalytic layer, enhancing collision probability between reactive oxygen species and BPA, i.e., the nano-confinement effect. Additionally, the dual-layer membrane achieved a long-term stable performance for emerging contaminant degradation in surface water treatment. This work underscores a novel catalytic membrane structure design for high-performance oxidation-filtration processes and elucidates its mechanisms underlying ultrafast degradation.

Microplastic fate in Arctic coastal waters: accumulation hotspots and role of rivers in Svalbard

Little is known about the role of remote and sparsely populated Arctic coastal zones in the microplastic cycle. Distribution of microplastics was studied in the Svalbard fjords in June – July 2022 with the main goal of assessing rivers’ role in the fate of microplastic in Arctic coastal waters. Surface microplastics (0 – 20 cm depth, 500 – 5000 µm size) were sampled with a neuston net in triplicate per study site in parallel with sampling of subsurface microplastics with a pump system (1.5 m depth, 100 – 5000 µm size). The central part of Isfjorden and its several branches covering populated and unpopulated fjords were studied; the sampling was conducted during an intense riverine discharge in all studied sites. Maximum abundance of surface microplastics (71,400 items/km2 or 0.19 iterms/m3, 0.19 mg/m3) was found along the river plume border in the middle of populated Adventfjorden indicating importance of both local sources and surface hydrodynamics in the formation of microplastics accumulation hotspots. All other unpopulated fjords were free of the floating on the sea surface microplastics as river discharge prevented transport of microplastics inside the fjords. The highest concentration of subsurface microplastics was found in the central part of Isfjorden and the lowest – in river plume waters, which also indicates the removal of microplastics from the inner part of fjords during an intensive river discharge. Our results may suggest that Arctic rivers flowing through unpopulated areas bring clean water and thereby reduce level of microplastic pollution in the coastal waters. In contrast to the rest of the world’s ocean, rivers are not the main source of microplastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean.

Biochar Composite with Enhanced Performance Prepared Through Microbial Modification for Water Pollutant Removal.

This study developed mycelial biochar composites, BQH-AN and BQH-MV, with stable physicochemical properties and significantly improved adsorption capabilities through microbial modification. The results showed that the specific surface area and porosity of BQH-AN (3547.47 m2 g-1 and 2.37 cm3 g-1) and BQH-MV (3205.59 m2 g-1 and 2.46 cm3 g-1) were significantly higher than those of biochar BQH (2641.31 m2 g-1 and 1.81 cm3 g-1), which was produced without microbial treatment. In adsorption experiments using rhodamine B (RhB), tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), and Cr (VI), BQH-AN showed maximum adsorption capacities of 1450.79 mg g-1 for RhB, 1608.43 mg g-1 for TC, and 744.15 mg g-1 for Cr(VI). BQH-MV showed similarly strong performance, with 1329.85 mg g-1 for RhB, 1526.46 mg g-1 for TC, and 752.27 mg g-1 for Cr(VI). These values were not only higher than those of BQH but also outperformed most other biochar adsorbents. Additionally, after five reuse cycles, the pollutant removal efficiency of the mycelial biochar composites remained above 69%, demonstrating excellent regenerative ability. This study not only produced biochar with superior adsorption properties but also highlighted microbial modification as an effective way to enhance lignocellulosic biochar performance, paving the way for further biomass development.

Versatile hybrid magnetic core silver-shell (Fe3O4@PEI@Ag) microspheres based SERS substrates for detection of organic dyes pollutant

In recent years, the development of highly sensitive and versatile substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has become pivotal in environmental monitoring. This study introduces a hybrid SERS substrate designed to enhance the detection and discrimination of organic dyes in aqueous environments. In this report, we present silver shell magnetic core (Fe3O4@PEI@Ag) microspheres as a versatile SERS substrate for the detection and differentiation of organic dyes, specifically malachite green (MG), crystal violet (CV), Rhodamine 6G (R6G), and Safranin O (S.O), which are often overlooked water pollutants. The core-shell structure of Fe3O4@PEI@Ag microspheres have been synthesized via seed-mediated growth method. The microspheres, integrates a magnetic core of iron oxide (Fe3O4) through a polymeric layer of polyethyleneimine (PEI) with silver shell (Ag), are optimized to act as magnetic separator and show SERS activity. The SEM measurements confirm the spherical shape of grown nano-particles whereas magnetization experiments confirm the presence of magnetic cores as well non-magnetic layers coating in the end products. These microspheres with aluminium (Al) base combination demonstrate high SERS sensitivity with enhancement factor of 1 × 105, 5.6 × 106, 6.4 × 106, and 4.2 × 105 for MG, CV, R6G, and S.O respectively. The detection limits have been found in the range between 10–8–10–10 for all four dyes. A linear relationship between Raman intensity and concentrations of dyes make it suitable for quantitative analysis of unknown concentration. Principal component analysis (PCA), a multivariate analysis has been adopted to discrimination of dyes. These dyes have been effectively detected quantitative in tap water to express substrate's suitability in real-world application. Their dual functionality, as SERS-active substrate and as magnetic separator, enhances their utility in real-world applications such as organic contaminants in aquatic environments.

Effects of Agricultural Insurance on Water Pollution in China

Water pollution is the most serious environmental problems in China now, water pollution directly affects people's quality of life and the sustainable development of agriculture, and the biggest source of water pollution is agricultural non-point source pollution, so we need to pay more attention to the environmental impact of agricultural production and reduce agricultural non-point source pollution. This paper examines the environmental impact of agricultural insurance on water pollution. Using annual data from 30 provinces across China between 2011 and 2019, this paper employs a two-way fixed-effects model to examine the correlation between agricultural insurance development and agricultural pollutant emissions. Additionally, it takes agricultural carbon emissions and agricultural output value as dependent variables to comprehensively investigate the environmental and economic impacts of agricultural insurance. The research results indicate that the development of agricultural insurance has a significant effect on reducing agricultural water pollution and carbon emissions. The pollutant reduction effect is more significant in the major grain-producing areas. The positive environmental effect of agricultural insurance is based on the fact that the development of agricultural insurance is conducive to reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers and does not come at the expense of increased agricultural output.

PlaBacter: Determination of Microbial Diversity on Plastic Polymers in Topçu Pond

Climate change is one of the biggest problems of our world, and one of the biggest measures taken to solve the climate crisis is to reduce the consumption of oil and oil derivatives, which are considered among fossil resources. However, with the globalising world and increasing population, oil companies have turned to the plastic and packaging sector in order to meet the increasing demand for plastic consumption. This situation inevitably increases the environmental damage of plastic waste. In particular, the inability to use water resources correctly and the pollution of water by wastes left in the environment adversely affect the lives of living things on earth. Within the scope of the study, it was aimed to determine the microbial diversity living on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is known as the raw material of tools such as plastic bottles, food containers, and fishing line, which are left as waste in the environment, especially in rivers and lake shores. In this context, Topçu Pond, which is an important water source in the field of agricultural irrigation in Yozgat province, was selected as the study area. Genomic DNA (gDNA) was isolated from biofilm layers formed on water, sediment, and PET samples collected from the study area. The bacterial communities living in the samples were identified by analysing the 16S rDNA of the gDNAs with the next-generation sequencing method. Thus, we conducted the first microbial diversity study in Topçu Pond and defined the bacterial composition on PET samples in the pond.

Exploring Moringa oleifera: Green Solutions for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Agricultural Advancement

Increasing concerns over water pollution have driven the search for sustainable wastewater treatment alternatives. This study evaluates the effectiveness of two coagulants derived from Moringa oleifera seeds–powder and extract–as sustainable solutions for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Comparative experiments were conducted using aluminum sulfate, a conventional coagulant, at various doses under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that both M. oleifera-based coagulants were highly effective, achieving turbidity reductions of 97% and 99%, respectively. Notably, the powder form required lower doses than the extract but had longer sedimentation times. Further detailed analyses at optimized doses (500 mg/500 mL for powder and 12.5 mL/500 mL for extract) met international standards for wastewater quality in agricultural irrigation. Comprehensive analyses encompassing pH, turbidity, COD, BOD5, TSS, DO, conductivity, NO2−, NO3−, SO42−, PO43−, and fecal and total coliforms consistently adhered to stringent criteria, confirming the effectiveness of M. oleifera-derived coagulants. These findings highlight the potential of M. oleifera in wastewater treatment, offering sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and enhancing food security in resource-limited regions. Our research supports the broader adoption of these eco-friendly alternatives, which could significantly reduce water scarcity and promote sustainable agricultural practices, addressing critical environmental concerns.

The effect of problem-based stem activities on students' achievement and attitudes towards engineering

This study aimed to examine the effect of STEM activities prepared according to the problem-based learning approach on students' academic achievement and attitudes toward engineering. A one-group pretest-posttest experimental model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. In the study, the achievement test was used to reveal students' knowledge levels about the definition of water and the importance of water, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of water, the water cycle, water pollution, and water treatment. Another data collection tool used in the study was the Engineering Attitude Scale. According to the findings obtained from the research, it was concluded that problem-based STEM activities had a positive effect on student's academic achievement but did not make a significant difference in engineering attitudes. The findings of the study were discussed and various suggestions were made for future studies. Keywords: Attitude; engineering design process; problem-based STEM; STEM; water

Determining the Suitable Location of Constructed Wetland for the Polluted River Water Treatment Based on Analytical Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System Analysis

The Tukad Badung River is a vital raw water source in Denpasar City and Badung Regency. Concerning the water pollution of the river, water treatment is necessary to manage the water quality. Constructed wetlands are a water treatment technology used for water purification. In this regard, information is essential regarding the appropriate location for the placement of the constructed wetland based on criteria related to the water treatment plant. The research was conducted to determine the suitability level of water treatment locations in the watershed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method in integration with a Geographic Information System. The Geographic Information System analysis included overlaying steps of the processed and classified data from each criterion: land use, slope, and water pollution index. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method was carried out to obtain the weight of each criterion down to the sub-criteria, which were compiled through interviews with three informants from academic, government, and community representatives. Weight calculations were performed using Expert Choice 11 software to obtain weight values with a consistency ratio of < 0.1. Geographic Information System analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method produces three suitable land types according to the level of suitability for water treatment locations, with constructed wetlands located in the upstream, middle, and downstream parts of the river. Information regarding suitable land is useful for planning the technical design of water treatment plants with constructed wetlands.

Role of Nanomaterials in Degradation of Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical Wastewater: A Review

Biodiversity progress impacts the quality and availability of renewable natural resources. Ecological concerns about air and water pollution have been raised on communal and commercial levels. The continuous release and accumulation of cosmetics and pharmaceutical items in the environment pose significant threats to both ecosystems and human health. The presence of these emerging pollutants from pharmaceutical and cosmetic products has been reported in wastewater streams coming from industrial as well as wastewater treatment plants. This need has driven the development of technologies like advanced oxidation processes such as ozonation, Fenton’s oxidation, photocatalysis, etc. for conventional wastewater treatments. Among these, the photocatalytic processes are presently being efficient since they not only utilize UV light but also visible light. This article mainly focuses on the review of preparation and comparative activity of photocatalysts on cosmetic as well as pharmaceutical wastes degradation. Photocatalysts, in their different forms like nanoparticles, nanorods and nanocomposites, hold great promise due to their stability, non-toxicity and reusability.

A sustainable lignin-clay nano-absorbent for highly efficient methylene blue removal

Water pollution caused by toxic dyes such as methylene blue (MB) has become a bottleneck for recycling or reusing enormous industrial wastewater. Designing a green and cost-effective bio-absorbent for the highly efficient removal of MB from wastewater is crucial but remains a great challenge. In this study, abundant, inexpensive, and environmentally benign lignin and bentonite were used as starting materials, and quaternary and amphiphilic lignin as a network macromolecule was designed to be inserted into the galleries of the stacked bentonite clay to prepare lignin-bentonite nanohybrids. The specific surface area of the modified nano-absorbent was significantly increased to 45.60 m2/g and owned a type II-like isothermal mechanism. The absorbent showed a maximum removal of MB of 99.7 % at neutral pH and room temperature with a maximum adsorption capacity of 822.22 mg/g, demonstrating the potential of an excellent adsorbent. The MB adsorption process fits well with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, the adsorption mechanism includes strong electrostatic attraction between absorbent and MB, and physical adsorption in a complicated monolayer and multiple macroporous structures. This study leverages the economic and environmental benefits of lignin and bentonite clay to prepare a cost-effective bio-absorbent for efficient removal of MB from aqueous solutions.

On the Valorization of Olive Oil Pomace: A Sustainable Approach for Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Media.

Currently, industrial water pollution represents a significant global challenge, with the potential to adversely impact human health and the integrity of ecosystems. The continuous increase in global consumption has resulted in an exponential rise in the use of dyes, which have become one of the major water pollutants, causing significant environmental impacts. In order to address these concerns, a number of wastewater treatment methods have been developed, with a particular focus on physicochemical approaches, such as adsorption. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of a bio-based material derived from olive oil pomace (OOP) as an environmentally friendly bio-adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye commonly found in textile effluents. The biobased material was initially characterized by determining the point of zero charge (pHpzc) and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, evaluating the impact of specific physicochemical parameters on MB adsorption, which included a thorough examination of the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. The adsorption process was characterized using Langmuir, Freundlich, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The results suggest that the equilibrium of adsorption is achieved within ca. 200 min, following pseudo-second-order kinetics. The optimal conditions, including adsorbent mass, temperature, bulk pH, and dye concentration, yielded a maximum adsorption capacity of ca. 93% (i.e., 428 mg g-1) for a pomace concentration of 450 mg L-1. The results suggest a monolayer adsorption process with preferential electrostatic interactions between the dye and the pomace adsorbent. This is supported by the application of Langmuir, BET, Freundlich, and D-R isotherm models. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic. This work presents a sustainable solution for mitigating MB contamination in wastewater streams while simultaneously valorizing OOP, an agricultural by-product that presents risks to human health and the environment. In conclusion, this approach offers an innovative ecological alternative to synthetic adsorbents.

Current levels of inorganic and organic pollutants in Romanian marine waters: Implications for ecosystem health

Human activities continue to impact the Romanian Black Sea, with implications for the marine ecosystem. This study presents new data (2023) on the spatial distribution of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and nutrients in Romanian Black Sea waters. Our findings reveal the influence of various pollution sources, including the Danube River, municipal and industrial discharges, and maritime activities. Nutrient loads, primarily from the Danube and diffuse sources, exert pressure on the pelagic habitat. While there has been some improvement in nutrient conditions, the potential for increased eutrophication due to climate change remains a concern. Understanding the spatial distribution of pollutants and identifying their sources is crucial for developing effective management strategies to protect the marine environment.

Removal of Pesticides from Water by Adsorption on Activated Carbon Prepared from Invasive Plants

Pesticide pollution of surface water is a serious global problem. This research was focused on the monitoring of pesticides in surface waters and their subsequent removal using adsorption on activated carbon (AC). Based on the monitoring, four pesticides—acetamiprid, diethyltoluamide, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam—occurred in higher concentrations in all sampling points. Invasive plants occurring near monitored water bodies, Reynoutria japonica (RJ) and Impatiens glandulifera (IG) were used for the preparation of activated carbon with an activating agent (H3PO4 and NaOH) using microwave pyrolysis. The prepared AC was subsequently used for adsorption of the above-mentioned pesticides. The prepared AC was characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Individual AC types showed different effects for different pesticides. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir model was 18.30 mg g−1 for thiacloprid on H3PO4-activated AC from I. glandulifera.

Microbial Pigment Isolation, Culturing, and Extraction to Use as Textile Dyes

The textile industry is one of the largest worldwide polluters of clean water due to the heavy use of synthetic dyes. These chemicals negatively affect the environment, especially aquatic life due to their toxic and mutagenic properties. Synthetic dyes cause harm to human health such as skin allergies and respiratory sensitization. Several advantages such as ease of extraction, availability, high yields and no seasonal variation make microbial pigments the most ideal source of natural pigments. This study was done to isolate colour pigment producing bacteria and fungi from soil collected from organic farms from various locations in Sri Lanka. Out of 7 soil samples, 3 yielded pigment producing bacteria and fungi. In total, 9 pigment producing bacteria and 3 pigment producing fungi were isolated. Gause’s synthetic agar yielded the most pigmented isolates. Isolates were inoculated in broths and pigment production was observed. Extracellular pigments produced by 5 of the bacterial isolates were extracted by a water-based method. The antibacterial activity of the pigments in their crude and concentrated forms was tested using the well diffusion method against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P. Inhibition zone against S. aureus was observed for both crude (12.33±0.58mm) and concentrated pigments (9.67±0.58mm) extracted from purple pigment producing bacterial isolate (BPU). This pigment has the potential to be used in antibacterial textile preparation. Extracted pigments were used to dye scoured cotton fabric with the use of 3% alum as mordant. Pigment from BPU isolate resulted in better coloured fabric.

Determination of geochemical stability of swamp ecosystems of the taiga zone of Western Siberia to anthropogenic impact

Relevance. The need for scientifically based regulation of impacts on wetland ecosystems taking into account their specificity and geochemical stability. Aim. To determine the geochemical stability of wetlands in the taiga zone of Western Siberia to pollutants for two typical cases associated with: 1) operation of sludge pits; 2) discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater. Methods. Mathematical modeling, statistical methods. Results and conclusions. The authors have carried out the analysis of the results of studies of the chemical composition of wetland waters and extracts from peat and mineral soils of wetlands in the taiga zone of Western Siberia (mainly in the Tomsk region, as well as in the adjacent territories of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions). They obtained the estimates of the average values of geochemical indicators of wetland waters and peat by the depth of the peat deposit in peat bogs with varying degrees of anthropogenic impact. The paper introduces the method for assessing the anthropogenic impact of wastewater discharge and geomigration on swamps in areas where oil and gas facilities are located (permissible concentrations in wastewater entering swamp ecosystems), taking into account the «geochemical background» and sorption capacity of peat. In particular, the authors substantiated and tested the method for assessing the values of permissible concentrations, which should be considered as a «relatively safe» level of impact on swamp ecosystems, at which secondary pollution of swamp waters is not expected. It is shown that anthropogenic changes are mainly limited vertically by the upper layer of the peat deposit up to 1–2 m, and horizontally (within the active horizon of the peat deposit) – by areas up to 100–200 m.