Freshwater Quality Research Articles

Tb2CoMnO6 double perovskites nanoparticles as photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes: Synthesis and characterization

The importance of water is so high that new methods and materials are constantly being developed to increase freshwater quality. For this purpose, to investigate the unique properties of double perovskites in the photocatalytic process, novel Tb2CoMnO6 nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel auto-combustion method. In this method, maltose, cellulose, and Date syrup were used as fuel. Two different ratios of maltose were tested to investigate the effect of fuel content on size and morphology. The synthesized particles in the presence of maltose in an equal ratio to the precursor were selected as the optimal sample by using different analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Other properties of optimal nanoparticles were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and diffuse reflectance analysis (DRS) analysis. These nanoparticles were used to investigate the photocatalytic properties under UV light in the aqueous solution of Eriochrome black T, Rhodamine B, Thymol blue, and Acid red dyes. The results of the photocatalytic process showed 70% discoloration for the Eriochrome Black T. Three compounds, include Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,4-Benzoquinone, and Benzoic acid, were used as scavengers to investigate the mechanism of the photocatalytic process. The results showed that the mechanism of the photocatalytic process proceeds through superoxide radicals, which Benzoquinone scavenges.

Improvement of the quality in hydroponically grown fresh aromatic herbs by inducing mild salinity stress is species-specific

Abstract Profitable hydroponic production requires high quality fresh water, which is often not available for agricultural use, while desalinisation of salty water is an expensive and unsustainable technology. In the present study, we assessed the effect of mild salinity stress during the soilless cultivation of fresh peppermint and spearmint in the floating system on biomass yield, produce quality and plant secondary metabolite content. Peppermint and spearmint plants were grown for 25 days on a nutrient solution (NS) supplemented with three different NaCl concentrations (0 mM, 10 mM or 20 mM NaCl). The plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight were recorded and composition was determined on fresh tissue. The composition of essential oil was determined upon hydrodistillation and that of polyphenolic compounds by targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Plant growth was not suspended by the addition of NaCl in the NS, except for the plant height at the highest salinity level. In peppermint, the nutritional composition was not affected by the salinity, whereas it was significantly improved in spearmint as confirmed by the nitrate content decrease and the total antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenol, total carotenoid and essential oil content increases. Simultaneously, no effect of the salinity on essential oil or polyphenolic composition in both plants was induced. In conclusion, peppermint and spearmint production is feasible in the floating system even under mild salinity conditions, without negatively affecting either the crop yield or the plant's essential oil or phenolic composition. Indeed, low salinity levels improved the nutritional composition of spearmint plants.

A decision-relevant hierarchical valuation instrument for freshwater restoration

Freshwater quality is multi-dimensional with many interrelated activities, indicators, and demand-relevant values. Managers of freshwater restoration funds have an obligation to invoke social values when deciding on specific interventions, and balance values with other important criteria. However, it is often difficult to apply non-market values to operational decisions because valuation attributes are either not decision-relevant, ecologically irrelevant, incomplete in scope, or not able to be aggregated or disaggregated to the required spatial scale. The purpose of this study is to develop a stated preference instrument strategically positioned to be relevant to freshwater restoration institutions in New Zealand. The study uses a hybrid approach with different measurement methods to enable the elicitation of not only total willingness to pay for crown restoration activities, but also to decompose values by restoration goal and distance. To solve the problem of the large number of relevant attributes, a novel hierarchical budget allocation approach is used in combination with the recently developed Multiple Discrete-Continuous Nested Extreme Value (MDCNEV) model. The lowest level of the hierarchy includes discrete choice questions to elicit quality and distance trade-offs.

Potential application of machine learning for exploring adsorption mechanisms of pharmaceuticals onto biochars

The increasing accumulation of pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems could impair freshwater quality and threaten human health. Despite the adsorption of pharmaceuticals on biochars is one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly removal methods, the wide variation of experimental designs and research aims among previous studies pose significant challenge in selecting biochar for optimal removal. In this work, literature data of 1033 sets with 21 variables collected from 267 papers over ten years (2010–2020) covering 19 pharmaceuticals onto 88 biochars were assessed by different machine learning (ML) algorithms i.e., Linear regression model (LM), Feed-forward neural networks (NNET), Deep neutral networks (DNN), Cubist, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and Random forest (RF), to predict equilibrium adsorption capacity (Qe) and explore adsorption mechanisms. LM showed the best performance on ranking importance of input variables. Except for initial concentration of pharmaceuticals, Qe was strongly governed by biochars' properties including specific surface area (BET), pore volume (PV), and pore structure (PS) rather than pharmaceuticals’ properties and experimental conditions. The most accurate model for estimating Qe was achieved by Cubist, followed by KNN, RF, KNN, NNET and LM. The generalization ability was observed by the tuned Cubist with 26 rules for the prediction of the unseen data. This study not only provides an insightful evidence for data-based adsorption mechanisms of pharmaceuticals on biochars, but also offers a potential method to accurately predict the biochar adsorption performance without conducting any experiments, which will be of high interests in practice in terms of water/wastewater treatment using biochars.

The impact of biological complexity on the root dynamics, organismal behavior, and water quality of an aquaponic system

Cities such as Flint, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin serve as contemporary examples of how a lack of understanding of the environmental chemistry of freshwater reservoirs can render potable water engineering systems unsustainable for local residents. In many cities, green engineering functions to increase aesthetic appeal without a broader consideration for recovering ecosystem processes. Our objective was to evaluate the role of biodiversity in the environmental quality of freshwater by using an aquaponic system with Allium cepa as a simple model system. We hypothesized that plant growth and development, macroinvertebrate behavior, and water quality would be affected by changes in biological complexity. We further characterize how biological complexity in an aquaponic system impacts plant dynamics, macroinvertebrate behavior, and water quality. Our findings demonstrate how aquatic organisms can modify plant systems as well as water quality, and further suggest that biological complexity and diversity have the ability to ameliorate polluted water systems. We propose that green engineering infrastructure has the capacity to integrate and sustain ecosystem function recovery in urban contexts.

Komunitas makrozoobentos dan kaitannya dengan kualitas air aliran sungai Senggarang, Kota Tanjungpinang

Senggarang is one of the coastal villages in Tanjungpinang City which has a river that flows from the upstream downstream into the sea. The flow of the Senggarang river has distinctive characteristics that are commonly found in small island waters, namely having a relatively short upstream to downstream distance, and the downstream part is influenced by tidal conditions. Various activities along the Senggarang river flow would cause changes in water quality which would impact the presence of macrozoobenthic. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the macrozoobenthic community and the water quality of the Senggarang river. Macrozoobenthic sampling, and environmental parameters were carried out using random sampling methods. The results of this study were obtained 27 species from 6 phylum, namely phylum Arthropoda 13 species, phylum Ciliophora 3 species, phylum Echinodermata 1 species, phylum Mollusca 4 species, phylum Nematoda 5 species, and phylum Tardigrada 1 species. The average macrozoobenthic density is 172 ind./ m3 for freshwater and 704 ind./ m3 for brackish waters. The average diversity value for freshwater is 1.29 and 2.16 waters with medium salinity, the average uniformity value of 0.85 freshwater and 0.94 of high in brackish waters, the average dominance value of 0.32 freshwater and 0.13 of low in brackish waters. The relationship of macrozoobenthos with the quality of freshwater based on PCA analyses related to temperature and dissolved oxygen, in brackish waters to temperature, dissolved oxygen, and current.Keywords: Macrozoobenthic community, PCA, River flow, Water quality

Occurrence of cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a and their homologs in the southern Czech Republic – Taxonomical, analytical, and molecular approaches

Water bloom-forming cyanobacteria have a severe impact on freshwater quality. Although some cyanobacterial toxins such as microcystins have been studied extensively, other toxins like anatoxin-a (ATX) and their structural analogs - as well as cyanobacterial taxa producing these toxins remain to be explored in detail. The present study investigated levels of ATX, CYN and their homologs along with the occurrence of anaC and cyrJ genes in water blooms in 16 sites in the Czech Republic that were pre-selected concerning the presence of potential toxin producers. Besides, we also studied toxins and genes in a series of strains available in our laboratories. ATX and its congener HATX were detected in 5 natural biomass samples from the Czech Republic (maximum concentration 2.8 micrograms per gram d.w.). Interestingly, the anaC gene coding for ATX production was not detected in any of these toxin-positive biomass samples. The concentrations of ATX congeners in cyanobacterial laboratory strains were about 10-times higher than those of the original ATX, which calls for further research addressing levels and hazards of ATX analogs. Regarding the CYN and 7-deoxyCYN (other CYN congeners were not analyzed in this study) - these toxins were identified in a single small pond in the Czech Republic at concentrations 4.3 and 2.7 micrograms per gram of biomass d.w., respectively (corresponded to dissolved concentrations higher than 1 microgram per liter). The CYN-positive sample was dominated by CYN-producing taxa Raphidiopsis (basionym Cylindrospermopsis) and Cuspidothrix. We also confirmed the presence of a specific cyrJ gene in this natural bloom sample. To our knowledge, this is the first study pointing to Raphidiopsis (Cylindrospermopsis) and Cuspidothrix as producers of CYN in Europe. This observation calls for further research because of their increasing occurrence in (Central) Europe along with the global change. The present study demonstrates the importance of using combined (taxonomical, analytical, and molecular) approaches in the assessment of hazardous cyanobacteria and their toxins in freshwaters.

Testing household preferences for the importance of the frequency and severity of water quality impairment

Water quality indices are employed by governments largely as a means of communicating the multifaceted nature of water quality and aquatic ecosystem health to the general public. Given the complexity of responsibility for oversight of freshwater quality in Canada, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) has developed an index based on the severity, frequency, and scope of water impairment. An important feature, and potential shortcoming, of this approach is that the three attributes of water quality are weighted equally. If households, however, weight these attributes differently, then the index’s ability to convey information to the public may be weakened. This issue is examined by eliciting household preferences for a hypothetical water quality protection program that reduces the severity and frequency of impairment using a discrete choice experiment (issues of scope are not included in the analysis). Latent class and mixed logit models are estimated. The latent class models, which outperform the mixed logit, indicate the presence of two preference classes that hold dramatically different preferences for benefits of the protection program. While one group of respondents is unresponsive to the severity and frequency of impairment, there is evidence that the other group may assign different weights to the attributes. These findings suggest the CCME index could convey different information to the two groups.

Water Mixing Conditions Influence Sentinel-2 Monitoring of Chlorophyll Content in Monomictic Lakes

Prompt estimation of phytoplankton biomass is critical in determining the ecological quality of freshwaters. Remote Sensing (RS) may provide new opportunities to integrate with situ traditional monitoring techniques. Nonetheless, wide regional and temporal variability in freshwater optical constituents makes it difficult to design universally applicable RS protocols. Here, we assessed the potential of two neural networks-based models, namely the Case 2 Regional CoastColour (C2RCC) processor and the Mixture Density Network (MDN), applied to MSI Sentinel-2 data for monitoring Chlorophyll (Chl) content in three monomictic volcanic lakes while accounting for the effect of their specific water circulation pattern on the remotely-sensed and in situ data relation. Linear mixed models were used to test the relationship between the remote sensing indices calculated through C2RCC (INN) and MDN (IMDN), and in situ Chl concentration. Both indices proved to explain a large portion of the variability in the field data and exhibited a positive and significant relationship between Chl concentration and satellite data, but only during the mixing phase. The significant effect of the water circulation period can be explained by the low responsiveness of the RS approaches applied here to the low phytoplankton biomass, typical of the stratification phase. Sentinel-2 data proved their valuable potential for the remote sensing of phytoplankton in small inland water bodies, otherwise challenging with previous sensors. However, caution should be taken, since the applicability of such an approach on certain water bodies may depend on hydrological and ecological parameters (e.g., thermal stratification and seasonal nutrient availability) potentially altering RS chlorophyll detection by neural networks-based models, despite their alleged global validity.

Challenges and opportunities for sustaining coastal wetlands and oyster reefs in the southeastern United States

Formed at the confluence of marine and fresh waters, estuaries experience both the seaside pressures of rising sea levels and increasing storm severity, and watershed and precipitation changes that are shifting the quality and quantity of freshwater and sediments delivered from upstream sources. Boating, shoreline hardening, harvesting pressure, and other signatures of human activity are also increasing as populations swell in coastal regions. Given this shifting landscape of pressures, the factors most threatening to estuary health and stability are often uncertain. To identify the greatest contemporary threats to coastal wetlands and oyster reefs across the southeastern United States (Mississippi to North Carolina), we summarized recent population growth and land-cover change and surveyed estuarine management and science experts. From 1996 to 2019, human population growth in the region varied from a 17% decrease to a 171% increase (mean = +43%) with only 5 of the 72 SE US counties losing population, and nearly half growing by more than 40%. Individual counties experienced between 999 and 19,253 km2 of new development (mean: 5725 km2), with 1–5% (mean: 2.6%) of undeveloped lands undergoing development over this period across the region. Correspondingly, our survey of 169 coastal experts highlighted development, shoreline hardening, and upstream modifications to freshwater flow as the most important local threats facing coastal wetlands. Similarly, experts identified development, upstream modifications to freshwater flow, and overharvesting as the most important local threats to oyster reefs. With regards to global threats, experts categorized sea level rise as the most pressing to wetlands, and acidification and precipitation changes as the most pressing to oyster reefs. Survey respondents further identified that more research, driven by collaboration among scientists, engineers, industry professionals, and managers, is needed to assess how precipitation changes, shoreline hardening, and sea level rise are affecting coastal ecosystem stability and function. Due to the profound role of humans in shaping estuarine health, this work highlights that engaging property owners, recreators, and municipalities to implement strategies to improve estuarine health will be vital for sustaining coastal systems in the face of global change.

A Changing Hydrological Regime: Trends in Magnitude and Timing of Glacier Ice Melt and Glacier Runoff in a High Latitude Coastal Watershed

AbstractWith a unique biogeophysical signature relative to other freshwater sources, meltwater from glaciers plays a crucial role in the hydrological and ecological regime of high latitude coastal areas. Today, as glaciers worldwide exhibit persistent negative mass balance, glacier runoff is changing in both magnitude and timing, with potential downstream impacts on infrastructure, ecosystems, and ecosystem resources. However, runoff trends may be difficult to detect in coastal systems with large precipitation variability. Here, we use the coupled energy balance and water routing model SnowModel‐HydroFlow to examine changes in timing and magnitude of runoff from the western Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska between 1980 and 2016. We find that under sustained glacier mass loss (−0.57 ± 0.12 m w. e. a−1), several hydrological variables related to runoff show increasing trends. This includes annual and spring glacier ice melt volumes (+10% and +16% decade−1) which, because of higher proportions of precipitation, translate to smaller increases in glacier runoff (+3% and +7% decade−1) and total watershed runoff (+1.4% and +3% decade−1). These results suggest that the western Juneau Icefield watersheds are still in an increasing glacier runoff period prior to reaching “peak water.” In terms of timing, we find that maximum glacier ice melt is occurring earlier (2.5 days decade−1), indicating a change in the source and quality of freshwater being delivered downstream in the early summer. Our findings highlight that even in maritime climates with large precipitation variability, high latitude coastal watersheds are experiencing hydrological regime change driven by ongoing glacier mass loss.

Adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by surfactant-modified clinoptilolites for landfill leachate treatment

The authors report the potential adsorption capacities of three surfactant-modified clinoptilolites (MC)—cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-MC, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB)-MC, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA)-MC—for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aquatic environments and landfill leachate. A liquid–liquid extraction method was used to extract PAHs from water and GC/MS was used to analyse the PAHs. PAH accumulations on CPC-MC, DDAB-MC, and HDTMA-MC were linear over 21 successive batch adsorption tests for anthracene (708, 737, and 750 µg/g), fluoranthene (1355, 1583, and 1303 µg/g), fluorene (973, 1060, and 1147 µg/g), phenanthrene (844, 1057, and 989 µg/g), and pyrene (1343, 1569, and 1269 µg/g). The leachability after 21 successive accumulations was <2% for anthracene, <4% for fluoranthene, <3% for fluorene, <4% for pyrene, and <5% for phenanthrene for each adsorbent. PAH removals from landfill leachate for anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene were 97.8%, 98.6%, 95.7%, 97.0%, and 98.5% for CPC-MC and 99.0%, 99.6%, 98.0%, 99.0%, and 99.6% for DDAB-MC, respectively, meeting the fresh water quality standards established by British Columbia and the World Health Organization (WHO) for anthracene, fluoranthene, and fluorene. The molecular weight and molecular structure of PAHs and the hydrophobicity of adsorbents can fundamentally influence the PAH adsorption mechanism based on π–π stacking.

Freshwater quality criteria of four strobilurin fungicides: Interspecies correlation and toxic mechanism

Strobilurin fungicides are widely used pesticides in the world. They can have toxic effects not only to target organisms, but also to nontarget organisms. To assess their ecological risk, species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) are required for the development of water quality criteria (WQC). In this paper, the acute toxicity of four methoxyacrylate fungicides were experimentally determined and evaluated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h for the species of Rana chensinensis and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, respectively. Acute and chronic HC5 (5% hazard concentration) values and WQC values were calculated from SSDs based on the toxicity values determined in this paper and compiled from literature. SSDs revealed that aquatic animals were relatively sensitive species and aquatic plants are insensitive species for the four fungicides. However, different orders of species sensitivity in the acute and chronic toxicity indicated that these four fungicides had different toxic mechanisms or mode of action (MOA) to different species. According to toxicity correlation and principal component analysis (PCA), the kresoxim-methyl toxicity was very close to trifloxystrobin as compared with others due to that they are neutral compounds with very similar physicochemical properties. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) revealed that toxicity of strobilurin fungicides were dependent both on chemical hydrophobicity and hydrogen bond basicity. These two molecular descriptors reflect the bio-uptake process and interaction of compounds with target receptors in an organism. WQC values and interspecies correlation are valuable for assessing water quality and understanding toxic mechanisms to different species.

Impact assessment of ephemeral discharge of contamination downstream of two legacy base metal mines using environmental DNA

Mining and processing metalliferous ores can degrade the environment well beyond the footprint of the mine, particularly where on-site containment and post-mining remediation has been insufficient to prevent releases of solid and aqueous mine wastes. In this study, we investigated the potential of sediment and water chemistry coupled with environmental (e)DNA metabarcoding to evaluate discrete and cumulative ecological impacts of two legacy base metal (copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb)) mines (Peelwood and Cordillera) which discharge metals via ephemeral tributaries into perennial Peelwood Creek. Although the two mine streams exceeded Australian guidelines for sediment and freshwater quality for Cu, Zn and Pb, Peelwood Creek had relatively low sediment and water metal concentrations, suggesting a low potential for environmental toxicity. Although sediment and water chemistry defined the extent of biological impacts, metabarcoding showed that Peelwood and Cordillera mines had discrete impacts and Peelwood mine was the main source of contamination of Peelwood Creek. Metabarcoding showed that prokaryotes can be good indicators of metal contamination whereas eukaryotes did not reflect contamination impacts in Peelwood Creek. Metabarcoding results showed that benthic communities downstream of Cordillera mine were less impacted than those below Peelwood mine, suggesting that Peelwood mine should be considered for further remediation.

A transdisciplinary approach supports community-led water quality monitoring in river basins adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Water quality monitoring programs (WQMPs) are crucial for assessment of water quality in river basins where agricultural intensification and development raise concerns in freshwater and marine environments. WQMPs if supported by scientists and local communities, and if based on the knowledge needs of all stakeholders, can provide vital information supporting resource management actions.Our paper focuses on the transdisciplinary development and implementation of a community-led pilot WQMP for the Tully River basin, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The community-led pilot WQMP was established to fill some knowledge gaps identified during development of the Tully Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) and to provide opportunities for active stakeholder participation in the monitoring. Results indicated some water quality parameters (i.e. nitrates and total phosphorus) had higher than expected values and exceeded state water quality guidelines. Hence, the results provided an evidence base for freshwater quality objective development to conserve, protect and improve water quality conditions in this basin and GBR. Leadership of Indigenous people in the pilot WQMP recognizes their deep desire to improve water resources outcomes and to care for country and people.

Improving seawater desalination efficiency by solar driven interfacial evaporation based on biochar evaporator of Nannochloropsis oculata residue

Solar driven interfacial evaporation technologies have significant potential in seawater desalination, sewage purification and steam power generation applications. The interfacial evaporator is primarily composed of a solar absorption layer and a substrate for thermal insulation and water conveyance. However, the materials used in the solar absorption layer and substrate are typically expensive and difficult to produce, which is not conducive to large-scale application. Herein, a novel porous microalgae biochar solar interfacial evaporator (MBSIE) was developed for high-performance solar-driven water vapor generation. The solar absorption layer was synthesized with the residue of the microalgae species Nannochloropsis oculata, which was generated from the process of biodiesel production. The substrate was composed of polystyrene foam and absorbent cotton sticks with an optimized water channel design. The light absorptivity of porous Nannochloropsis oculata biochar reached 94.1%, and the material contains hydrophilic groups such as C–O and N–H, which was conducive to water delivery. MBSIE attains a maximum seawater evaporation rate of 1.165 kg m−2 h−1 under one Sun irradiation intensity. The total dissolved solids and salinity of the produced fresh water was 265 mg L−1 and 0.06‰, respectively. This quality of freshwater could meet domestic water standards.

Low salinity induced challenges in the hardy fish Heteropneustes fossilis; future prospective of aquaculture in near coastal zones

The groundwater in coastal and abiding zones is experiencing alarmingly growing levels of salinity that might be small in absolute terms. Several reasons may contribute for retrogression of groundwater quality and the most concerning issue is they can critically distress the inhabitants. This notion encouraged us to comprehensively investigate the salinity tolerance range and effects of sub-lethal salinity on various attributes such as the growth pattern (morphometric and feed intake), haematology, histo-architecture and generation of oxidative stress in different tissues of Heteropneustes fossilis, a coastal zone hardy fish that has high market demand. The fish were exposed to sub-lethal salinity i.e. 3, 6 and 9 ppt for 45 days against a control set (tap water, ~0 ppt) under constantly monitored pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity. The fish can tolerate a narrow salinity range although correlation and discriminant function analyses among the computed parameters indicate that sub-lethal low salinity strongly modulates the fish physiology. Decline in the body weight, feed intake, specific growth rate and changes in morphometry coupled with histological alterations in different tissues were observed with the increase in level of sub-lethal salinity. The significant alterations in the measured parameters substantiated an overall decline in growth of the fish at 9 ppt. Significant loss in haemoglobin content, RBC and eosinophil counts accompanied by a rise in neutrophil count was also observed at higher salinities. The lipid peroxide level under higher salinities was comparatively higher than the control. Disruption in the typical histo-architecture in its muscle, gill and liver tissues was observed at higher salinities, possibly due to the generation of oxidative stress and/or osmotic imbalances in the respective tissues. In conclusion, the H. fossilis can satisfactorily grow in low salinities up to 6 ppt and critically beyond the range till 9 ppt. Therefore, the study of compromised physiology due to the toxic effects of altered salinity under changing climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities in the inhabitants especially in lower vertebrate hardy fish models is a major concern in aquaculture prospect. The development of this study on the transcriptional and translational level could provide access to unsolved problems related to aquaculture. Further it also suggests that a) it is indispensable to maintain optimal freshwater quality in coastal and allied zone globally in coming decades, b) introduction of saline tolerant hardy fish species and development of appropriate aquaculture practices based upon the altered physiology in the concerned regions.

Nile River Freshwater Quality Assessment at Assiut Governorate

Nile River Freshwater Quality Assessment at Assiut Governorate

Assessment of Climate Change Awareness in the Kakamega-Nandi Forest Complex in the Western Region

Aims: This study assessed the level of climate change awareness among the forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex. Four locations were chosen for the study, Buyangu and Isecheno in the Kakamega forest, Kaptumo in Nandi South and Kipsamoite in Nandi North forest ecosystems.&#x0D; Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from primary sources. Structured questionnaires were administered to the residents aged 25years and older within the study area.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The Kakamega, north and south Nandi forest ecosystems in western Kenya between June -December 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 280 questionnaires were randomly administered to the forest-adjacent respondents with, Kakamega forest 163 respondents, South Nandi forest 60, while North Nandi had 57respondents. A total of 217 questionnaires were filled and returned and the information wherein used in data analysis. Focused Group Discussion and key informants were used to supplement data collects by the questionnaires.&#x0D; Results: Majority of the residents (54%) were less concerned about climate change. In addition, 85% of the respondents had very little knowledge on coping and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. Some 40 % and 45% of the respondents got information about climate through televisions and radios, respectively. Further analysis of the results revealed that climate change was responsible for fourteen key impacts. These included an increase in rainfall, prolonged drought, decrease in the quality and quantity of fresh water, decrease in food security, an increase in temperature, a decrease in agricultural resources, an increase in sickness and disease, a decrease in quality of life, flooding, decrease in forest cover, loss of homes, reduction in biodiversity, and rise in storm surge. A Chi test revealed a significant relationship between forest cover decline and changes in rainfall patterns (X2 = 111.86, df =12, p&lt;0.001), increasing temperature (X2 = 80.492, df =12, p&lt;0.001);, drought( (X2 = 204.84, df =16, p&lt;0.001) and storm surges (X2 = 74.34, df =8, p&lt;0.001)]. The respondents' level of education was significantly different from their level of climate change awareness (X2=44.88, df=4, p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex are vulnerable to climate change as a result of insufficient knowledge about climate change and its impacts. The Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem is already experiencing climate change effects such as erratic rainfall and increasing food insecurity.

What is the deal with the Green Deal: Will the new strategy help to improve European freshwater quality beyond the Water Framework Directive?

Agricultural land use covers almost half of the EU territory and reducing nutrient and pesticide losses to freshwaters is central to existing EU policy. However, the progress of improving freshwater quality and reducing eutrophication is slow and lags behind targets. The Green Deal is a key element of the EU plans to implement the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Here, we discuss the opportunities that the Green Deal and associated strategies may provide for the achievement of the water quality goals of the Water Framework Directive in agricultural landscapes. We welcome Green Deal's aspirational stated goals. However, the reliance of mitigation of diffuse agricultural pollution on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy represents grave risks for practical implementation and the achievement of the Green Deal objectives. We also argue that the new strategies should be targeted at tackling and understanding the sources of water quality problems along the full pollution continuum. To maximise the opportunities for tackling diffuse pollution from agricultural land use and achieving the delayed water quality targets, we stress that a range of targeted new instruments will be needed to close the gaps in the pollution continuum ‘from source to impact’. These gaps include: (I) smart and standardised monitoring of the impacts of proposed eco-schemes and agri-environment-climate measures, (ii) active restoration of agricultural streams and ditches and their floodplains to reduce secondary pollution sources, (iii) options to draw down nutrient levels to or below the agronomic optimum that reduce legacy sources, (iv) integrating farm-scale and catchment-scale analysis of trade-offs in reducing different pollutants and their combined effects, and finally (v) accounting for emerging pressures to freshwater quality due to climate change. Incorporation of the pollution continuum framework into tackling diffuse agricultural pollution will ensure that the European water-related policy goals are achieved.