Context Of Water Framework Directive Research Articles

Groundwater quality trend and trend reversal assessment in the European Water Framework Directive context: an example with nitrates in Italy

Groundwater resources are of utmost importance in sustaining water related ecosystems, including humans. The long-lasting impacts from anthropogenic activities require early actions, owing to the natural time lag in groundwater formation and renewal. The European Union (EU) policy, within the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), requires Member States to identify and reverse any significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of pollutants, defining specific protection measures to be included in the River Basin Management Plans (RBMP). In Italy, official guidelines for trend and trend reversal assessment have been published recently. Statistical methods, such as the Mann-Kendall test for trend analysis and the Sen’s method for estimating concentration scenarios, should be applied at the fixed terms stated by the WFD implementation cycles to identify upward trends, while the Pettitt test is proposed for the identification of trend reversal. In this paper, we present an application of a slightly modified version of the Italian Guidelines to a groundwater body in Northern Italy featuring nitrate pollution and discuss its advantages and limitations. In addition to Pettitt test, for the trend reversal analysis, we apply the Mann-Kendall test in two sections and compare the results. We conclude that this method seems more reliable than Pettitt test to identify a reversal point in quality time series. The overall procedure can be easily applied to any groundwater body defined at risk across Europe, for the assessment of the upward trends of pollutants and their reversal, even with little chemical monitoring data. Although focused on the EU legislative framework, this procedure may be relevant for a wider context, allowing to individuate upward trend as early warning for contamination processes in an integrated water resources management context.

The Environmental Costs of Water Flow Regulation: an Innovative Approach Based on the \u2018Polluter Pays\u2019 Principle

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) explicitly requires the full cost recovery of water services, including the environmental costs incurred from the damage that water uses inflict on the environment. Although flow regulation by river damming is one of the most prominent human impact on fresh water ecosystems its environmental costs are not properly included in water pricing. This paper presents a novel approach to assessing the environmental costs of flow regulation based on the polluter-pays principle. The methodology includes three steps: (i) assessing the admissible range of regulated flow variability, derived from the natural flow regime variability, (ii) estimating the daily environmental impact of regulated flows according to deviations from the admissible range of flow variability, and (iii) calculating the environmental costs of flow regulation. The procedure is applied to four river case studies in Spain, UK and Norway. The advantages over other water cost valuation methods are discussed. The methodology enlarges the current recognition of environmental costs of water use and represents a practical management tool within the WFD context, encouraging transparency and stakeholder communication.

The use of biomarkers as integrative tools for transitional water bodies monitoring in the Water Framework Directive context — A holistic approach in Minho river transitional waters

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) provides an important legislative opportunity to promote and implement an integrated approach for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters. The transitional waters constitute a central piece as they are usually under high environmental pressure and by their inherent characteristics present monitoring challenges. Integrating water quality monitoring with biological monitoring can increase the cost-effectiveness of monitoring efforts. One way of doing this is with biomarkers, which effectively integrate physical–chemical status and biological quality elements, dealing holistically with adverse consequences on the health of water bodies. The new Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) already incorporates the biomarker approach. Given the recent activities of OSPAR and HELCOM to harmonize existing monitoring guidelines between MSFD and WFD the use of similar methodologies should be fostered. To illustrate the potential of the biomarker approach, juveniles of flounder (Platichthys flesus) were used to evaluate the quality of the Minho river-estuary water bodies. The use of juveniles instead of adults eliminates several confounding factors such changes on the biological responses associated with reproduction. Here, a panel of well-established biomarkers, EROD, AChE, SOD, CAT, GST, LPO, ENA and FACs (1-Hydroxyrene) were selected and measured along with a gradient of different physical conditions, and integrated with trace elements characterization on both biota and sediments. In general, a clear profile along the water bodies was found, with low seasonal and spatial variation, consistent with a low impacted area. Overall, the results support the use of both the battery of biomarkers and the use of juvenile flounders in the monitoring of the water quality status within the WFD.

Robustness of the Estuarine Fish Assessment Index (EFAI) regarding water body definition criteria

According to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) transitional waters should be differentiated according to type and, in some cases, divided into different water bodies. This raises a dilemma in trying to define parts of a continuum. In the sequence of WFD several indices have been proposed including the Estuarine Fish Assessment Index, which can be applied taking an estuary as a whole (EFAI – without water bodies division) or divided in water bodies (EFAIWB). The purpose of this work is to analyze the robustness of the Estuarine Fish Assessment Index, based on three different ways of dividing Portuguese estuaries into water bodies according to different criteria (criterion 1 – distance to the estuary mouth, criterion 2 – salinity and criterion 3 – morphology, salinity and human dimension as pressure and state). In this study we evaluated at which degree these three criteria could influence the ecological quality ratio (EQR) results, when the index was applied to water body level (EFAIWB). Also, for each estuary, the EQRWB results for each criterion of EFAIWB were combined and weighted according to the water bodies areas (EFAI overall weighted – EFAIOW). Finally, it was compared if the results obtained for each criterion with the EFAIOW were similar to the results of the index application taking the estuary as a whole (EFAI – without water bodies division). No significant differences were found in both cases, which indicated that this index is a robust method regarding the division of the estuaries in different water bodies, which is an important element of a fish-based multimetric tool for assessing estuarine ecological quality. However, in some cases, different ecological quality statuses were achieved when applying the EFAIOW or the EFAI. This work addressed several aspects regarding the possible division of water bodies at the WFD context.

Establishing physico-chemical reference conditions in Mediterranean streams according to the European Water Framework Directive

Type-specific physico-chemical reference conditions are required for the assessment of ecological status in the Water Framework Directive context, similarly to the biological and hydro-morphological elements. This directive emphasises that natural variability of quality elements in high status (reference condition) needs to be quantified. Mediterranean streams often present a marked seasonal pattern in hydrological, biological and geochemical processes which could affect physico-chemical reference conditions. This study establishes general physico-chemical reference conditions (oxygenation, nutrient, salinity and acidification conditions) for different Mediterranean stream types. 116 potential reference sites located in 23 Mediterranean catchments in Spain were sampled in spring, summer and autumn in 2003. All sites were subjected to a screening method for the selection of reference sites in Mediterranean streams (Mediterranean Reference Criteria) and classified using a pre-established stream typology that establishes five different stream types (temporary streams, evaporite-calcareous at medium altitude, siliceous headwaters, calcareous headwaters and large watercourses). Reference conditions (reference value and reference threshold equivalents to high-good class boundary) were calculated using two different methods according to the availability of reference sites: the reference site 75th percentile approach of all reference sites and the 25th percentile of the population approach. The majority of the studied potential reference sites (76 out of 116) were selected as reference sites. Regarding type-specific reference conditions, only siliceous headwaters could be considered different from the rest of stream types because lower conductivity and pH. All reference stream types presented seasonal differences as regards some parameters, except for temporary streams due to the high natural variation of this stream type. For those parameters which presented seasonal differences in a specific stream type, the least restrictive values were proposed as reference conditions.

The ecological quality status of the Elbe estuary. A comparative approach on different benthic biotic indices applied to a highly modified estuary

Indices to assess the ecological status of water bodies according to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) frequently produce widely differing results when applied to estuarine systems. Although several ecological indices have been employed to coastal environments and in estuaries in particular, there is still a lack of knowledge about their suitability for assessing the ecological status of heavily modified water bodies. Thus, we evaluated the performances of indices and fauna parameters (AMBI, M-AMBI, BOPA, BO2A, W-value, Shannon diversity, species richness, abundance) that have been discussed in the WFD context using data on invertebrates dwelling in two typical morphological units: the navigation channel and the river bank habitats of Elbe estuary (Germany). In addition, we tested their ability to identify several environmental factors (grain size distribution and chemical sediment contamination). All indices were able to detect major changes in macrofauna composition along the estuarine salinity gradient and were able to differentiate between navigation channel and shallow bank habitats. A strong significant correlation was found with most indices with the exceptions of the W-value and the BOPA with mean grain size. Almost all indices signaled poor ecological quality in the coarser fairway sediments against the finer sublitoral bank sediments. However, AMBI and BOPA showed the opposite: both indicators classified the invertebrate assemblages from the navigation channel better compare than the shallower habitats. The correlation of ecological indices and parameters with sediment contaminants and the toxicity of the sediment calculated as toxic units showed a diverse picture: all indices, except species richness and the BOPA, had a certain significant correlation with several individual sediment pollutants, however, only one index, the W-value, was correlated significant with the majority of chemical pollutants (Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Hg, Zn, β-HCH, pp′-DDD, and TBT) and the toxic units. Our results show clearly that ecological quality classification of heavily modified estuaries depends strongly on both the index and the habitat. Thus, we conclude that no index should be used on its own to estimate the ecological quality of estuaries. Further investigations and the improvement or development of such indices should place emphasis on their independence from the grain size spectrum of the sediments and on their good correlation with its pollution status.

A Bayesian framework to objectively combine metrics when developing stressor specific multimetric indicator

In the context of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), monitoring programs and related indicators have been developed to assess anthropogenic impacts on various components of aquatic ecosystems. While great precautions are usually taken when selecting and calculating relevant core metrics, little attention is generally paid to the generation of the multimetric indicator, i.e. the combination of the different core metrics. Indeed, most multimetric indicators are generated by simply averaging or summing metrics, without taking into account their sensitivity and their variability. Moreover, few indicators provide a rigorous estimate of the uncertainty of the assessments, while this estimation is essential for managers. In this context, we developed a Bayesian framework to build multimetric indicators aiming at improving those two weaknesses. This framework is based on two phases. First, pressure-impact statistical models are developed to quantify the impact of pressure on various fish metrics. Then the Bayesian theorem is applied to estimate probabilities of being at a certain anthropogenic pressure level from fish observation and pressure-impact models outputs. The Bayesian theorem allows to combine objectively the different core metrics, taking into account their sensitivity and their variability, and to provide rigorous uncertainty quantification, which is especially valuable in the WFD context. The method is applied as illustrative example on transitional French water bodies to demonstrate its relevance, especially in the Water Framework Directive context though the method is generic enough to be applied in various contexts.

Evaluation of the use of transplanted Nassarius reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758), in monitoring TBT pollution, within the European Water Framework Directive

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires monitoring programmes, to establish a coherent and comprehensive overview of ecological and chemical water status. Recently and within this context, the use of biomarkers has been proposed for incorporation into WFD monitoring programmes. In the present study, cages have been used to transplant (ranging between 14 and 75 days) adults of the dogwhelk Nassarius reticulatus in relation to a gradient of tributyltin (TBT) pollution; this is in order to evaluate its usefulness within the WFD monitoring programmes. Only the most polluted site (close to a shipyard) shows evidence of TBT contamination effects. As such, it may be concluded that the use of caged transplants with N. reticulatus (adults) is useful only for areas of high TBT pollution. Thus, within the European WFD context, this approach is generally not useful for surveillance and operational monitoring, but has some potential in investigative monitoring.

Mitigation of agricultural nonpoint-source pesticide pollution in artificial wetland ecosystems

Contamination caused by pesticides in agriculture is a source of environmental poor water quality in some of the European Union countries. Without treatment or targeted mitigation, this pollution is diffused in the environment. Pesticides and some metabolites are of increasing concern because of their potential impacts on the environment, wildlife and human health. Within the context of the European Union (EU) water framework directive context to promote low pesticide-input farming and best management practices, the EU LIFE project ArtWET assessed the efficiency of ecological bioengineering methods using different artificial wetland (AW) prototypes throughout Europe. We optimized physical and biological processes to mitigate agricultural nonpoint-source pesticide pollution in artificial wetland ecosystems. Mitigation solutions were implemented at full-scale demonstration and experimental sites. We tested various bioremediation methods at seven experimental sites. These sites involved (1) experimental prototypes, such as vegetated ditches, a forest microcosm and 12 wetland mesocosms, and (2) demonstration prototypes: vegetated ditches, three detention ponds enhanced with technology of constructed wetlands, an outdoor bioreactor and a biomassbed. This set up provides a variety of hydrologic conditions, with some systems permanently flooded and others temporarily flooded. It also allowed to study the processes both in field and controlled conditions. In order to compare the efficiency of the wetlands, mass balances at the inlet and outlet of the artificial wetland will be used, taking into account the partition of the studied compound in water, sediments, plants, and suspended solids. The literature background necessary to harmonize the interdisciplinary work is reviewed here and the theoretical framework regarding pesticide removal mechanisms in artificial wetland is discussed. The development and the implementation of innovative approaches concerning various water quality sampling strategies for pesticide load estimates during flood, specific biological endpoints, innovative bioprocess applied to herbicide and copper mitigation to enhance the pesticide retention time within the artificial wetland, fate and transport using a 2D mixed hybrid finite element model are introduced. These future results will be useful to optimize hydraulic functioning, e.g., pesticide resident time, and biogeochemical conditions, e.g., dissipation, inside the artificial wetlands. Hydraulic retention times are generally too low to allow an optimized adsorption on sediment and organic materials accumulated in artificial wetlands. Absorption by plants is not either effective. The control of the hydraulic design and the use of adsorbing materials can be useful to increase the pesticides residence time and the contact between pesticides and biocatalyzers. Pesticide fluxes can be reduced by 50–80% when hydraulic pathways in artificial wetlands are optimized by increasing ten times the retention time, by recirculation of water, and by deceleration of the flow. Thus, using a bioremediation method should lead to an almost complete disappearance of pesticides pollution. To retain and treat the agricultural nonpoint-source po a major stake for a sustainable development.