Protection Of Water Bodies Research Articles

The impact of emissions controls on atmospheric nitrogen inputs to Chinese river basins highlights the urgency of ammonia abatement.

Excessive nitrogen (N) deposition affects aquatic ecosystems worldwide, but effectiveness of emissions controls and their impact on water pollution remains uncertain. In this modeling study, we assess historical and future N deposition trends in Chinese river basins and their contributions to water pollution via direct and indirect N deposition (the latter referring to transport of N to water from N deposited on land). The control of acid gas emissions (i.e., nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide) has had limited effectiveness in reducing total N deposition, with notable contributions from agricultural reduced N deposition. Despite increasing controls on acid gas emissions between 2011 and 2019, N inputs to rivers increased by 3%, primarily through indirect deposition. Simultaneously controlling acid gas and ammonia emissions could reduce N deposition and water inputs by 56 and 47%, respectively, by 2050 compared to 2019. Our findings underscore the importance of agricultural ammonia mitigation in protecting water bodies.

Wide-Scale Identification of Small Woody Features of Landscape from Remote Sensing

Small landscape features (i.e., trees outside forest, small woody features) and linear vegetation such as hedgerows, riparian vegetation, and green lanes are vital ecological structures in agroecosystems, enhancing the biodiversity, landscape diversity, and protecting water bodies. Therefore, their monitoring is fundamental to assessing a specific territory’s arrangement and verifying the effectiveness of strategies and financial measures activated at the local or European scale. The size of these elements and territorial distribution make their identification extremely complex without specific survey campaigns; in particular, remote monitoring requires data of considerable resolution and, therefore, is very costly. This paper proposes a methodology to map these features using a combination of open-source or low-cost high-resolution orthophotos (RGB), which are typically available to local administrators and are object-oriented classification methods. Additionally, multispectral satellite images from the Sentinel-2 platform were utilized to further characterize the identified elements. The produced map, compared with the other existing layers, provided better results than other maps at the European scale. Therefore, the developed method is highly effective for the remote and wide-scale assessment of SWFs, making it a crucial tool for defining and monitoring development policies in rural environments.

The feasibility and efficiency of fly ash as an absorbent for phosphate removal

Abstract Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required for the growth and development of plants, animals, and microorganisms. However, excessive phosphorus in wastewater can cause detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, leading to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. Thus, the removal of phosphorus from wastewater is crucial to protect water bodies and maintain environmental sustainability. The removal mechanism of phosphorus by fly ash involves both physical and chemical processes. The high surface area and porosity of fly ash facilitate the adsorption of phosphorus molecules onto its surface, while the presence of calcium and aluminium oxides in fly ash enables the formation of stable precipitates with phosphorus in the solution. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of fly ash as an absorbent for phosphorus removal. These studies have demonstrated that fly ash can effectively remove phosphorus from wastewater, achieving removal efficiencies of up to 90%. The performance of fly ash as an absorbent can be enhanced through various strategies, such as modification with reactive substances or combining it with other materials. Objective of this study is parameters that effect on phosphorus absorption using fly ash as absorbent. The results showed that increasing pH decrease % removal.

Treatment of surface wastewater from poultry farms when use water protection aggregate systems

During the operation of poultry farms a large amount of poultry manure is accumulated. Surface wastewater from landfills for storing poultry manure can become the main source of pollution of natural waters. Thus, one of the most important problems of environmental protection is the development of eff ective systems for protecting aquatic ecosystems from pollution by waste water generated at landfi lls for storing poultry manure. The purpose of research was the analysis of water protection systems for treatment of surface wastewater from the territory of poultry farms. The authors of the article consider the problem of protection of water bodies from contamination by surface wastewater from the catchment area of poultry farms. The example of surface wastewater from the catchment area of the poultry farm "Sverdlovskaya" has shown the negative impact on water ecosystems. Our own studies of snow contamination from the catchment area of the poultry farm have shown a high content of not only organic and biogenic substances, but also heavy metals. A biotechnology of wastewater treatment using natural ion-exchange materials, followed by bioregeneration of the latter by higher aquatic vegetation, has been developed. The use of an accumulative phytofilter is an effective method of protecting water ecosystems from contamination by surface wastewater from catchment areas of poultry farms, and the design ensures not only the environmental friendliness of the technology, but also naturally fi ts into the landscape of the area.

Main directions for rational use of water resources in the Republic of Kazakhstan

The article identifies the main directions of the rational use of water resources in the Republic of Kazakhstan, specifically, the South Kazakhstan region. Rational water use is the process of efficient use of water resources, which guarantees the preservation and protection of water bodies from negative and excessive anthropogenic impact and at the same time provides the population and sectors of the national economy with water resources of adequate quality and in the amount that can guarantee not only satisfaction of needs, but also development of industry, energy, water transport and agriculture at the rates that are necessary for sustainable socio-economic development of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a whole. The analysis of the foundations of rational water use was carried out; the main economic instruments affecting the process of water use in Kazakhstan are considered, an overview of the structure of water resources management in the South Kazakhstan region is made. Currently, it is necessary to ensure the rational use of natural resources, their protection from pollution and degradation, as well as skillfully restore, multiply and control them for the benefit of human society. Water resources as an object of management are a complex phenomenon and require a special approach for the formation of governing bodies with a clear division of their sphere of influence and responsibility.

Legal regulation of the protection of water bodies in the implementation of fishing activities in Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of the legal regulation of the protection of water bodies in the implementation of fishing activities in Ukraine. It is emphasized that the protection of water bodies must be considered as an integral factor in the legal provision of maintaining the level of ecological safety, the rational use of natural resources, including living aquatic bioresources, the proper functioning of the fisheries industry, ensuring the food security of the state, etc. The author states that in order to ensure the proper legal regulation of the protection of water bodies when carrying out fishing activities, it is necessary to take into account the connection of such objects with the land plots on which they are located. It is claimed that the order of legal regulation of the protection of water bodies follows from the characteristics of such objects, their connection with other resources and the order of their use. In this regard, the norms for the protection of water bodies are reflected in the water and land legislation, as well as in the legislation on fisheries and aquaculture. The analysis of the specified branches of legislation regarding the procedure for regulating the protection of water bodies during the implementation of fishery activities was carried out.
 The author concluded that ensuring the protection of water bodies should consist in the adoption and further implementation of legal norms aimed at implementing measures to protect them from pollution, clogging and depletion, and improving the condition of water bodies. It is claimed that the main purpose of protecting water bodies in the implementation of fishing activities is to preserve fish stocks and ensure their sustainable and rational use in the future.

ЭТАПЫ ПЛАНИРОВАНИЯ МЕРОПРИЯТИЙ ИНЖЕНЕРНО-ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ЗАЩИТЫ ВОДНЫХ ОБЪЕКТОВ – ВОДОПРИЕМНИКОВ ДРЕНАЖНЫХ ВОД С ОРОШАЕМЫХ ЗЕМЕЛЬ

Purpose: to develop the main stages of planning the measures of engineering and environmental protection of water bodies – drainage water inlets from irrigated lands. Materials and methods. When developing the stages of planning the measures of engineering and environmental protection of water bodies, recommendations for assessing the environmental and economic efficiency of investment projects for agricultural land reclamation and methods for calculating environmental payments necessary to take into account the effectiveness of environmental protective measures were used. Results. Planning the measures of engineering and environmental protection of a water body can be conditionally divided into four stages. At the first stage, the comprehensive monitoring studies of the water system and agrolandscape in the river catchment basin are carried out. The second stage consists of conducting their comprehensive environmental assessment, including the calculation of such indicators as the combinatorial index of water pollution, the indicator of anthropogenic water body load, the total indicator of soil pollution, bottom deposits, the soil loss rate, the soil formation rate, soil salinization, sodium, magnesium alkalinization, as well as the calculation of cost environmental indicators. At the third stage, a set of measures for engineering and environmental protection of a water body is developed, and at the fourth, a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of the proposed measures is carried out. Conclusion. Environmental indicators that quantitatively characterize the anthropogenic load on water bodies as a result of the irrigation system operation are proposed. A methodical approach is proposed and the main stages of planning the engineering and environmental protection of water bodies – drainage water inlets from irrigated lands are defined, consisting in a comprehensive assessment of all components of the agro-landscape with the subsequent development of engineering, agrotechnical, agroforestry and agrochemical measures that contribute to the formation of a favorable environmental situation in the river basin.

Особенности разработки нормативов допустимого воздействия на малые реки Севастопольского региона

The aim of the study is the identification of uncertainties to improve information support for the standards of permissible impact (SPI) elaboration for small rivers of the Sevastopol region. Materials and methods. The initial data were the results of surface water bodies monitoring in the Sevastopol region, other materials on the Chernaya River basin, characterizing the conditions for the formation of runoff and the quality of waters of small rivers. Monitoring data has been provided by the territorial bodies of Roshydromet, Rospotrebnadzor, Rosprirodnadzor and State Unitary Enterprise of Sevastopol for Water Use (SUES "Vodokanal"). The shortcomings of information support for the elaboration of SPI are revealed. Pollutants were ranked according to their importance for the ecosystem of the Chernaya River tributaries and distribution in water bodies, the water quality standards are substantiated. The list of pollutants in descending order of importance for the ecosystem includes: phosphates, nitrites, ammonium ion, BOD5, suspended solids, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, nickel, zinc, phenols, sulfates, surfactants, oil products. The most common pollutants (indicators of pollution) in the tributaries of the Chernaya River are BOD5, nitrites, phenols, manganese, iron and copper (excesses of standards are recorded for almost all objects). MPC for objects of fishery importance were adopted as standards for SPI elaboration. The exception was BOD5, for this indicator the hygienic standard was used. Assumptions are proposed that allow solving the problem of elaboration SPI under conditions of incomplete information. The calculations of the runoff volume for the years of 50 % and 95 % security, SPIchem for priority pollutants on the main hydrological seasons were performed. Analysis of the results showed that SPI differ significantly by hydrological seasons (up to 48 times) and by each indicator of pollution for different tributaries, which is especially pronounced (more than 10 times) for the Uzundzha and Kalenda Rivers in terms of BOD5, iron, phenols and phosphates. The results obtained confirms the need for differentiated regulation of the permissible impact on individual tributaries of the Chernaya River. When developing the SPI for the small rivers of the Sevastopol region, normative-methodological, informational, large-scale and target uncertainties were identified. The assumptions proposed in the work make it possible to solve practical problems of management in the field of use and protection of water bodies, but do not reduce the relevance of measures aimed at improving the information support for the SPI elaboration. Measures aimed at improving the information support for the SPI elaboration includes: organizing access to the monitoring data of the territorial body of Roshydromet («Crimean UGMS»), increasing the frequency of observations on tributaries of the Chernaya River, organization of systematic observations in the background sections and in the zones of influence of diffuse sources of pollution.

Towards sustainable food crop production: Drivers of shift from crop production to mining activities in Ghana's Arable Lands

This study contributes to the observed reduction of arable lands discourse by examining the shift in land use patterns as well as factors influencing farmers' shift from crop production to mining activities. To achieve this, we employed a combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and Cragg's Double Hurdle Econometric Model as analytical tools. Our approach integrates an econometric model of land use with GIS simulations that predict the spatial pattern of land-use change. The results revealed that crop production lands have been converted into artisanal small-scale mining (galamsey) sites, a development which has implications on food security, life on land and effective utilizations of land and water resources. The results also showed that membership in Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), access to credit, and low yield of food crops influenced farmers to shift from crop production to participate in mining activities. In addition, the extent of participation in mining was influenced by family size, membership in FBOs, and low crop yield. While mining operations offer substantial economic benefits, it is crucial to strike a balance between land use for mining activities and food crop production. This is because it has the potential to worsen recent hikes in food prices and subsequently leading to rising inflation rates in Ghana. Our findings have implications on achieving multiple SDGs, viz. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) as minimizing illegal mining helps increase food production as well as protect water bodies and land. We therefore suggest that government should take steps to make credit accessible to farmers by collaborating with financial institutions and also collaborate with Crops Research Institutes to develop high-yielding crop varieties. Future research could focus on exploring the impact of participating in mining activities on the profitability of food crop production in Ghana.

Negative effects of agricultural open-channel irrigation system on vertebrate populations in central Mexico.

Linear infrastructures such as agricultural irrigation channels produce physical changes and negative impacts to habitats, wildlife populations, communities, and ecosystems. Open irrigation channels act as a pitfall for wildlife and can affect vertebrates of all sizes. Nonetheless, small channels have received relatively little attention by conservation biologists. The objective of this study was to analyze vertebrate species richness and mortality in relation to different sections of an irrigation channel system and the surrounding landscape characteristics. For two years, we conducted monthly surveys along an open-channel irrigation system to estimate its effect on vertebrates through records of dead and alive individuals. We examined the spatial relation of species richness and mortality with transects using a canonical correspondence analysis and chi-squared tests to determine possible variations in the different structures of the channel and seasonality. Further, a landscape diversity index was used to analyze the importance of surrounding habitat structure and composition on these parameters. Most vertebrates (61%) were found dead, small mammals and reptiles were the most affected. Our results indicate that mortality of small vertebrates varies depending on species, structures of the open-channel agricultural irrigation system (i.e., concrete channel and floodgates), seasonality (i.e., wet, and dry), and landscape heterogeneity (i.e., high, medium, and low landscape diversity). The open-channel irrigation system is a threat to populations of small vertebrates in anthropized landscapes, conservation efforts should be directed at protecting water bodies and restructuring the open-channel agricultural irrigation system to avoid mortality of species such as small rodents (M. mexicanus) and reptiles (C. triseriatus, B. imbricata, and Thamnophis spp.).

Уголовно-правовая охрана водных объектов: национальный, зарубежный и международный опыт

Current issues related to the legal protection of water bodies, ensuring their increasing value in modern conditions, are revealed. The issues of legal protection under consideration are relevant both at the international and domestic levels. The purpose of the study is to consider the negative impact of the weakening of the administrative regime in the field of environmental protection, which affects the application of measures of criminal law and procedural coercion against those responsible for causing significant harm to natural resources. Administrative law is closely related to criminal law; therefore, in practice, administrative penalties prevent damage to the objects of encroachment (public relations in the field of rational use of natural resources), which can develop into a socially dangerous consequence of the crime. General scientific and specifically legal methods are used as research methods. The main attention is paid to the method of analysis. It is established that the creation of a unified basic methodology that would help investigative and inquiry authorities increase the percentage of detection of criminal and administrative cases of environmental crimes is currently not possible. The intersectoral nature and blanket nature of the norms significantly distinguish such acts from each other. The lack of professional training of investigators and interrogators, the lack of knowledge and special literature on the investigation of environmental crimes, of course, cannot have a positive effect on curbing crime in this area.

Assessment of the determination of groundwater pollution parameters from destroyed ameliorative structures, tail storage and flooded landfills

As a result of the damage to the structures of the supporting front and the destruction of the protective screens on the reclamation systems, tailings storage facilities, and landfills due to military operations, processes of flooding and pollution of water resources are taking place on the territory of Ukraine. This issue requires an assessment and forecast of the further development of events at the damaged buildings. An integral component of such an assessment is the methodology of approaches to the filtration calculations of the consumption of polluted water through a closed protective screen using the analysis of migration due to the aquifer. In this work, the issues of the theoretical approach to the determination of head loss and filtration through a protective screen for the assessment and further forecast of groundwater pollution by filtration flow from tailings, landfills, and reclamation canals due to their flooding due to military actions are considered. Approaches to the determination of pressure loss through a shielded structure in the event of various types of damage and at various stages of water filtration from channels are given. According to the proposed formulas, the loss of water from the main channel of the Ingulets irrigation system and the filtration coefficient of the damaged lining due to the destruction of the dam of the Kakhovskaya Hydro Electric Station were determined. The results of the research will be useful in making management decisions regarding the protection of water bodies from pollution and in the restoration of damaged structures.

Analysis of suspended solids emissions from a combined sewage system using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM)

The protection of water bodies requires the reduction of pollutant emissions from all major sources. In urbanized areas, these include: wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and (depending on the type of sewage system) combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater drainage outlets. WWTPs are usually monitored and emitted pollutant loads are known, but it is more difficult to assess the pollutant load discharged by CSOs and stormwater drainage systems. The article attempts to use the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) to assess emissions of suspended solids from a large urban combined catchment. Suspended solids are the main pollutant of stormwater runoff in urban areas, and the dynamics of their emission from catchments is very diverse. The amount of suspended solids discharged by CSOs functioning in the given city was assessed in comparison with emissions from a wastewater treatment plant. The results show that CSOs discharge a pollutant load to the receiver which is comparable to WWTPs, but in a much shorter time and in a violent manner which can lead to the severe deterioration of receiving water quality. The modelling took into account the quality of dry weather sewage, the build-up of suspended solids, wash-off processes in the catchment area, and local precipitation characteristics. Factors affecting the quality of the obtained model and the accuracy of the emission level assessment were analysed.

Towards a Land Administration Approach to Water Resource Management in Ethiopia with Particular Focus on Lake Tana Watershed

Sound water resource management is critical for Ethiopia to protect water bodies and wetlands as well as tap these resources for better socio-economic development. However, water resource management has faced challenges in Ethiopia. This article examines whether water resources could be better managed through an innovative way of integrating their management and administration with land administration in line with the principle of Integrated Water Resource Management and sustainable land management. Doctrinal analysis of laws pertaining to water and land management is applied to this end. Primary data collection methods were also applied through questionnaire survey, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion. The article discusses the general role of sustainable water resource management in the protection of the country’s water bodies and examines the critical gaps under the present fragmented natural resource management system. A conceptual framework is developed to highlight the relationship between the principle of sustainable water resource management and land management. The existing natural resource management in Ethiopia is unsustainable and hence it is argued that a land administration approach can enhance water resource management in an integrated, holistic, and sustainable fashion by focusing on Lake Tana Watershed.

An attached microalgae platform for recycling phosphorus through biologically mediated fertilizer formation and biomass cultivation

Nutrient management is a global challenge for protecting water bodies from eutrophication and for retaining and sustainably recycling phosphorus within the biosphere. This challenge is especially important for water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) in jurisdictions that limit nutrient loads in plant effluent. A microalgae-based biofilm platform has been designed, constructed, and tested to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from anaerobic digester (AD) effluent filtrate through cultivating biomass and inducing the precipitation of a mineral called struvite (NH₄MgPO₄ · 6H₂O) using a rotating algae biofilm reactor (RABR). RABRs function by rotating a growth substratum through nutrient rich water and then into the atmosphere, immersing microalgae in both sunlight and water. Photosynthesis is utilized in RABR operation to enhance struvite formation by increasing the pH value within the biofilm through the uptake of carbon dioxide from solution. Measurements of pH trended higher with depth through the biofilm when exposed to light confirming the function of photosynthesis in increasing pH and, as a consequence, struvite formation. In addition, reducing RPM allows more time for water to evaporate through exposure of the biofilm to the atmosphere and provides a management option to exceed struvite solubility product. Struvite precipitation was predicted based on chemical analysis and MINTEQ modeling of ADE, was confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, and quantified by determining ash content. Increase in pH within the biofilm was confirmed as photosynthetic photon flux density increased. While struvite precipitation and removal from wastewater is conventionally accomplished through physicochemical methods, this research is the first report of struvite enhanced formation through algae biofilm-based photosynthesis processes.

Mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using marine fungi and their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms

ObjectivesAt the present time, there is a persistent need to get rid of environmental contaminants by eco-friendly, sustainable, and economical technologies. Uncontrolled disposal practices of domestic and industrial solid and liquid wastes led to water pollution which has negative impacts on public health, environment, and socio-economic development. Several water-borne diseases are spreading man to man by microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria. For the protection of water bodies, all wastewater from various sources should be managed and remediated properly. Myco-remediation is a form of bioremediation in which fungi are used to get rid of contaminants. Fungi are attractive agents for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles especially silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which are considered one of the most widely utilized nanoparticles because of their unique characteristics such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. MethodsThis study uses silver nitrate and supernatants of four marine fungi; Penicillium simplicissimum, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus japonicus, and Aspergillus oryzae for extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and to evaluate its activity against different pathogenic microorganisms. These nanoparticles may subsequently be applied for the treatment or nano-bioremediation of microbial contaminants in water bodies and improve water quality. ResultsSilver nanoparticles were synthesized and the results revealed that spherical and well-dispersed nanoparticles of different sizes were formed with sizes ranging between 3.8 and 23 nm. Characterization results approved the existence of stable nanocrystalline elemental silver. Antibacterial activity results revealed that AgNPs can be used as a powerful antimicrobial agent for several pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Among the biosynthesized NPs mediated by the four marine fungi, AgNPs mediated by A. japonicus (5 mM) had the highest antibacterial activity, while AgNPs mediated by Penicillium simplicissmum (8 mM) had the highest antifungal activity. ConclusionMarine fungi can biosynthesize stable AgNPs that exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens.

Ensuring the environmental safety of inland waterways by using off-board environmental technical means

The water transport operation, its safety and the organization of the fleet on inland waterways are presented in the paper. The problem of protecting water bodies from pollution by oil products, which are contained in the ship's bottom water (NW) formed during the operation of inland navigation vessels is considered. The results of studying this problem by the authors of the paper, based on the experience of solving this problem in the field of ships operation on the inland waterways, have shown that the most expedient, and often the only possible, way to solve it is an off-vessel treatment strategy, which involves organizing the treatment of bottom-bed water using technical means, which include in general specialized floating facilities providing reception of bilge water from operating vessels, transportation and treatment. The main principles for the offshore cleaning strategy implementation are formulated. In accordance with this strategy it is proposed to consider offshore cleaning as a certain technology, the content of individual operations of which, as well as the composition of the complex of technical means that ensure the implementation of its various options, is determined by the conditions for organizing off-board cleaning on the considered sections of the waterways, which include the need to ensure safety, requirements for the disposal of treated bilge water, as well as economic efficiency. It is shown that under certain conditions it is expedient to carry out separate operations for water purification using different technical means. The main options for the composition of the complex of technical means, including autonomous floating treatment facilities, are proposed. It has been shown that the possibility of choosing the composition of technical means makes it possible to take into account the operating conditions of ships, as well as the organization of off-board cleaning, which provides an effective solution to the problem of ensuring the safety of navigation.

Candidate biomarkers of antibiotic resistance for the monitoring of wastewater and the downstream environment

Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs) are essential for reducing the pollutants load and protecting water bodies. However, wastewater catchment areas and UWTPs emit continuously antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with recognized impacts on the downstream environments. Recently, the European Commission recommended to monitor antibiotic resistance in UWTPs serving more than 100 000 population equivalents. Antibiotic resistance monitoring in environmental samples can be challenging. The expected complexity of these systems can jeopardize the interpretation capacity regarding, for instance, wastewater treatment efficiency, impacts of environmental contamination, or risks due to human exposure. Simplified monitoring frameworks will be essential for the successful implementation of analytical procedures, data analysis, and data sharing. This study aimed to test a set of biomarkers representative of ARG contamination, selected based on their frequent human association and, simultaneously, rare presence in pristine environments. In addition to the 16S rRNA gene, ten potential biomarkers (intI1, sul1, ermB, ermF, aph(3′’)-Ib, qacEΔ1, uidA, mefC, tetX, and crAssphage) were monitored in DNA extracts (n = 116) from raw wastewater, activated sludge, treated wastewater, and surface water (upstream and downstream of UWTPs) samples collected in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Each biomarker was sensitive enough to measure decreases (on average by up to 2.5 log-units gene copy/mL) from raw wastewater to surface water, with variations in the same order of magnitude as for the 16S rRNA gene. The use of the 10 biomarkers allowed the typing of water samples whose origin or quality could be predicted in a blind test. The results show that, based on appropriate biomarkers, qPCR can be used for a cost-effective and technically accessible approach to monitoring wastewater and the downstream environment.

Fecal bacteria contamination in the Adriatic Sea: Investigating environmental factors and modeling to manage recreational coastal waters

This study is based on assessing fecal indicator bacteria contamination along meteorological, hydrological and physical-chemical variables after high rainy events during the summer period. The study focused on four different coastal sites in the western and eastern Adriatic coast characterized by various geomorphological and hydrological features, levels of urbanization and anthropogenic pressures, with the aim of finding appropriate and effective solutions to ensure the safety and sustainability of tourism and public health. Detailed in-situ survey revealed a wide range of fecal indicator bacterial (FIB) across the different river mouths with concentrations of E. coli ranging from 165 to 6700 CFU 100 mL−1. It was found that nitrogen compounds track microbial load and acted as tracers for fecal contaminants. Further, a modelling tool was also used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of fecal pollution at these coastal sites. The integrated monitoring through high frequent survey in river waters and modeling framework allowed for the estimation of fecal indicator bacterial load at the river mouth and examination of fecal pollutant dispersion in recreational waters, considering different scenarios of fecal dispersion along the coast. This study formed the basis of a robust decision support system aimed at improving the management of recreational areas and ensuring the protection of water bodies through efficient management of bathing areas.

Lead-free and highly-stable double perovskite Cs2SnClXI6-X microcrystals for efficient photocatalytic degradation

In order to protect water bodies and prevent water pollution, the direct use of clean solar energy to degrade the organic dyes in industrial wastewater into innoxious products is a potential strategy and a trending topic. Recently, the lead halide perovskites have been intensively investigated as photocatalysts on account of their unique photoelectric properties. Unsatisfactorily, the lead toxicity and instability of these materials cause irreversible harm to the ecology and low long-term degradation efficiency, limiting their practical applications. For the first time, lead-free double perovskite Cs2SnClXI6-X microcrystals were prepared by solution supersaturation recrystallization method for the photocatalytic degradation of Sudan Red III. The optical band gaps of the Cs2SnClXI6-X microcrystals were adjustable from 4.48 to 1.34 eV upon halogen regulation, while the photodegradation performance of Cs2SnCl4.1I1.9 was even much higher than the recently reported composite photocatalysts under similar conditions. Furthermore, the recycling and storage experiments demonstrated the reusability and excellent environmental stability of the as prepared Cs2SnClXI6-X microcrystals. Based on the results of the free radical trapping tests and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, the mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation process were discussed in details.