Water Sites Research Articles

Study on the seismic characteristics of piers considering site conditions and hydrodynamic effect

Sea-crossing bridges face complex site environments compared to onshore bridges, with the marine environment significantly influencing seismic responses. Despite this, current seismic design for these bridges relies on onshore earthquake records. Therefore, investigating the impact of seawater layers and site conditions on sea-crossing bridge seismic performance is crucial. This paper investigates the influence of characteristics of offshore ground motion, site conditions, and hydrodynamic effect on the seismic performance of piers. Initially, based on the validated finite element model, 5 offshore and onshore strong ground motion records from K-NET were selected for assessing the seismic performance of piers. Subsequently, the effects of the water depth and site conditions on the seismic responses of piers were investigated. Finally, the effects of the section size, section shape, and boundary conditions on the piers were investigated. The result shows that the seismic response of piers under offshore ground motion exceeds that under onshore ground motion. In addition, the seismic response of the pier increases with greater water depth, while they exhibit a slight decrease with increasing soil depth. Notably, the larger the section size, result in higher the hydrodynamic pressure, and square piers experience greater hydrodynamic pressure compared to circular piers.

Influence of tobacco product wastes in a protected coastal reserve adjacent to urbanization

The present study, conducted at the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve in San Diego, California, aimed to assess tobacco-related pollutants in urban waters, a topic with limited prior research. Across 26 events occurring between November 2019 and February 2022, encompassing both wet and dry seasons at two outfall sites (Noyes St. and Olney St.), water and sediment samples were subjected to analysis for nicotine and cotinine levels, with Noyes St. displaying wide variation in nicotine concentrations, reaching a peak of 50.75 ng/L in water samples, whereas Olney St. recorded a peak of 1.46 ng/L. Wet seasons consistently had higher nicotine levels in water, suggesting the possibility of tobacco litter entering the reserve through stormwater runoff. Cotinine was detected in both sites in both water and sediment samples; however, these levels were considerably lower in comparison to nicotine concentrations.Limited research assesses aquatic environmental pollution from tobacco use and disposal, especially in protected areas like urban natural reserves. This study was conducted at the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve in San Diego, California, to evaluate tobacco-related pollutants in San Diego's urban waters. Twenty-six sampling events between November 2019 and February 2022, spanning wet and dry seasons at two outfall sites, were conducted. Nicotine and cotinine, a major ingredient of tobacco and its metabolite, were analyzed in the collected water and sediment samples. Nicotine concentrations differed substantially between the outfall locations (Noyes St. and Olney St.), with Noyes St. displaying wide variations, averaging at 9.31 (±13.24) ng/L with a maximum concentration of 50.75 ng/L, and Olney St. at 0.53 (±0.41) ng/L with a maximum concentration of 1.46 ng/L in water samples. In both locations, the nicotine concentrations in water samples were higher during wet seasons than dry seasons, and this pattern was more significant at Noyes St. outfall than at Olney St. outfall, which received not only stormwater runoff but also was connected to Mission Bay. Although this pattern did not directly align with sediment nicotine levels at both sites, maximum nicotine concentration in Noyes St. sediments during wet seasons was approximately 120 times higher than in Olney St. sediments. Regarding cotinine, Noyes St. outfall water averaged 3.17 ng/L (±1.88), and Olney St. water averaged 1.09 ng/L (±1.06). Similar to nicotine, the cotinine concentrations were higher in Noyes St. water and sediment compared to Olney St., but overall, the cotinine concentrations in both water and sediment were much lower than the corresponding nicotine concentrations. The study identifies urban stormwater runoff as a potential source of nicotine and cotinine pollution in a protected reserve, implicating tobacco product litter and human tobacco use as contributing factors.

Reconnoitre on ichthyofauna of Mahanadi River of India: shifting diversity down the river continuum and linking ecological traits with patterns in biodiversity.

Anthropogenic alterations have paramount impacts on the alpha and beta diversity of aquatic resources, and fishes are predominantly susceptible to such impacts. Mahanadi River, one of the major peninsular rivers of India, has abundant fish resources, which play a significant role in supporting the fishers' livelihoods. The exploratory study in the river conducted for three consecutive years recorded 148 species under 53 families. Cyprinids dominated the fish diversity with 41 species, followed by Bagrids (9) and Sciaenids (7). One hundred-one species under 29 families were reported from the freshwater stretch. With a total of 111 species reported under 48 families, the estuarine and tidal freshwater stretch was more speciose, due to marine migrant species which advent the estuarine and tidal freshwaters stretch for breeding and feeding purposes. Tikarpara, a conserved site within a sanctuary, was the most species-diverse as well as a species-even site. The study also recorded the extension of the distributional range of 3 fish species and also 4 exotic species from the river. The seasonal variations in diversity indicated that the deviations were not prominent in freshwater sites, whereas in tidal brackish water sites, species richness was relatively higher in post-monsoon, and species evenness was higher during monsoon. Taxonomic distinctness test showed that the average taxonomic distinctness was high for tidal estuarine locations as they harbour taxonomically distant fishes. The hierarchical clustering of sites showed the inordinate effect of river gradient and fragmentation on the fish community structure. Analyzing the key drivers of the assemblage structure of the entire river, salinity was the major deterministic factor, and within the freshwater stretch, the major influences were depth, transparency, and specific conductivity. The study concluded that, despite all of its ecological stresses, Mahanadi still supports rich fish diversity, yet there is a notable shift in the fish community structure. There is a need for integrating molecular and morphological tools for the taxonomic revision of many genera and species for proper in situ and ex situ conservation measures and to formulate future biodiversity management plans addressing to reduce the impacts of the ecological threats.

IBLUECULTURE: A NOVEL SYSTEM OF REAL-TIME UNDERWATER IMAGE TRANSMISSION IN A VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENT, AS A NEW MANAGERIAL APPROACH FOR UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE

Abstract. The Mediterranean is rich in ancient and modern shipwrecks and submerged sites of great archaeological, historical, and cultural value. Most of those sites tend to be relatively unknown, even to people living in the area, mostly due to the inherent limitation in physical approach. As a result, these sites are left unknown and unprotected. The aim of the iblueCulture project was to create a system that can make Underwater Cultural Heritage sites broadly accessible and raise public awareness on their location, content, and value. This approach is also meant to provide an effective management strategy for the constant, real-time monitoring and, therefore, protection of such sites, while in accordance with the sustainable tourism development goals for islands and coastal areas. This project, as implemented, can offer an immersive dry dive experience to the public, while providing management bodies and stakeholders with the capability of remotely monitoring the UCH sites in real-time, through live-streaming video. This ability can be vital in some cases, especially when involving sites in greater depths or in remote areas with little maritime traffic. The system is also expected to assist in underwater research, especially in deep water sites, and other educational activities or possible scientific research.

Assessment of surface water quality: Case study of Oued Fez catchment areas (Morocco)

Under sustainable development conditions, water quality and quantity play a crucial role in meeting basic human needs. To meet the growing demand for water, surface water quality management is an important aspect. Consequently, water quality must be monitored and assessed via the use of innovative techniques, such as water quality index (SEQ-Water).For that purpose, water quality of Oued Fez catchment areas was evaluated according to Moroccan water quality guidelines by using the weighted quality index (SEQ-Water), physicochemical parameters, trace elements and bacteriological characterization. Five Sites were chosen after a diagnosis based on different criteria such as activity and density of population. These sites were Amont oued Fez (S1), Oued Fez (S2), Oued Ljawahir (S3), Oued Tgat (S4) and Oued Ain Smen (S5). Physicochemical quality was determined by evaluating Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total Kjeldhal nitrogen (NTK), suspended solids (SS), nitrates (NO3-), nitrites (NO2-), ammonium (NH4+), sulphates (SO42-), total phosphorus (TP) and trace elements (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb and Zn). Bacteriological analyses were carried out by testing enumeration of total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC).Except Oued Ain Smen, physico-chemical parameters exceed by far the Moroccan standards of surface water quality. High concentrations of Se, Cd, Pb and As were detected. Fecal and total coliforms were also present at all sites, and varied from 1150 CF/100 mL to 100,000 CF/100 mL. All results were statistically validated with a p value < 0.05. Overall quality of the water sites assessed basing on the concept of the weight quality index, showed high pollution of the Oued Fez catchments. System based on the concept of the weighted quality index (SEQ-Water) is a suitable method to monitor point sources of pollution in surface water, and could provide a crude guideline for selecting the priorities of possible preventative measures in the proper management of the surface water resources.To summarize, it would be dangerous to use water from these rivers for domestic and agricultural purposes without some form of physical and chemical treatment. Sensitization of the authorities on the extent of water pollution of this Oued and the harmful consequences for man and the ecosystem should be urgent and mandatory.

Spatial and hydrological analysis of the water supply system in as-Sila'/Sela (Tafila, Jordan) based on a 3D model

The research described below proposes a spatial analysis of the hydraulic infrastructure, and settlement remains, as well as a topographic analysis of the site of as-Sila'/Sela on the southern Transjordan plateau. The authors designed Sela's first photogrammetric model from aerial photographs provided by the "Aerial Photographic Archive for Archaeology in the Middle East (APAAME)" project. This modelling has enabled the research team to locate new hydraulic structures, settlement remains, marks on vertical facing, and elevated or levelling platforms hitherto unidentified by a pedestrian survey; it was also possible to obtain more detailed direct and indirect relationships between these features. The 3D model has provided a reference for locating the various elements and correlating their surface with the topographic coordinates recorded by the total station during fieldwork. Additionally, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was derived from the 3D model to depict the flow direction of run-off. Through our analysis, we identified spaces for accessing, managing, and utilising available water resources, including settlement density and flooding zones. The hydrological analysis revealed potential run-off and flood-prone areas, guiding the location of hydraulic structures to prevent water contamination. This study highlights the importance of Sela's water supply systems and the technical expertise of ancient communities in their construction and management. The applicability and feasibility of the applied methodology emphasise its use as a powerful and indispensable tool to obtain a complete overview of the site. The results yield a comprehensive site mapping with a broader scope than previous research and provide a basis for further research, as well as for understanding the site's water supply and settlement patterns. Thus, this study enhances the hydro-technological investigation of Sela's water management and culture and contributes to its holistic analysis. Future studies can use the data to propose effective water management strategies and shed light on the social structures involved in water supply practices.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Arid and Thermally Extreme Sonoran Desert.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the causative agent of the devastating global amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, was not projected to threaten amphibians in hot and arid regions due to its sensitivity to heat and desiccation. However, Bd is being detected more frequently than ever in hot and arid regions of Australia and the USA, challenging our current understanding of the environmental tolerances of the pathogen under natural conditions. We surveyed for Bd in an extremely hot and arid portion of the Sonoran Desert, where the pathogen is not projected to occur, and related presence and prevalence of the pathogen to local environmental conditions. We collected eDNA samples from isolated desert water sites including six tinajas and 13 catchments in June and August of 2020 and swabbed a total of 281 anurans of three species (red-spotted toad Anaxyrus punctatus, Couch's spadefoot Scaphiopus couchii, and the Sonoran Desert toad Incillius alvarius) across five catchments and six tinajas from June to September of 2020. Overall, Bd occurred at 68.4% of sites, despite extreme heat and aridity routinely exceeding tolerances established in laboratory studies. Average summer maximum air and water temperatures were 40.7°C and 30.7°C, respectively, and sites received an average of just 16.9mm of precipitation throughout the summer monsoon season. Prevalence was low (5.7%) across species and life stage. Our results demonstrate that Bd is capable of persisting and infecting amphibians beyond its projected range, indicating a need to account for higher thermal tolerances when quantifying risk of Bd presence and infection.

Occurrence and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Factors Influencing Their Accumulation in Surface Sediment of a Deep-Sea Depression, Namely, the Tatar Trough (Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan)

The concentrations of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediment of the Tatar Trough were studied. Despite the increase in PAH concentrations over recent decades, which is likely the result of the handling and transportation of fossil fuels, PAH levels and ecological risk were found to be low. The spatial pattern revealed that higher PAH concentrations were mainly in the deeper water sites, suggesting that trough slope failure transported the PAHs to the deeper part of the basin. There was no correlation between the PAHs and grain size or the PAHs and organic carbon that is related to the PAH input from a variety of sources and the heterogeneity of organic matter. The PAH composition, isomer ratio, and PCA identified two areas with different PAH sources. The most northern part of the Tatar Trough received petrogenic PAHs that are probably transported downslope from the northern Tatar Strait where fossil fuels are handled in some ports. Another trough part was polluted by the PAHs from the combustion of coal and biomass and the exhaust of marine vehicles. The minor presence of genes responsible for aerobic PAH destruction can be explained by the anaerobic degradation of PAHs or the spontaneous creation of favorable conditions that promote bacterial PAH oxidation.

Dynamic Multivariate Outlier Detection Algorithm Using Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy for Monitoring Surface Water Contamination With Hydrological Fluctuation in Real-Time.

The contamination of surface water is of great harm. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy is an effective method to detect water contamination. However, surface water quality is influenced by hydrological fluctuation caused by rain, change of flow, etc., leading to changes of spectral characteristics over time. In the process of contamination detection, such changes cause confusion between hydrological fluctuation spectra and contaminated water spectra, thus increasing the false alarm rate. Besides, missing alarms of contaminated water is a common problem when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. In this paper, a dynamic multivariable outlier sampling rate detection (DM-SRD) algorithm is proposed. A dynamic updating strategy is introduced to increase adaptability to hydrological fluctuation. Additionally, multiple outlier variables are adopted as outlying degree indicators, which increases the accuracy of contamination detection. Two experiments were carried out using spectra collected from real surface water sites and hydrological fluctuation was constructed. To verify the effectiveness of the DM-SRD method, a comparison with the static SRD method and spectral match method was conducted. The results show that the accuracy of the DM-SRD method is 97.8%. Compared with the other two detection methods, DM-SRD significantly reduces false alarm rate and avoids missing alarms. Additionally, the results demonstrate that whether the database contained prior information on hydrological fluctuation or not, DM-SRD maintained high detection accuracy, which indicates great adaptability and robustness.

Profiling of Aedes Mosquito Breeding Sites at Residential Construction Sites in Malaysia

Introduction: Poor waste management led to mosquito breeding grounds. Previous research found that construction sites are the mosquito breeding area thus it’s important to understand how construction sites affect mosquito breeding. Methods: This study utilized a prospective study to determine the characteristic of breeding preference in residential construction sites. On-field breeding preference survey was conduct in the selected project site in 12 weeks (1st October 2021 until 31st December 2021). Wet container inspection was carried out according to types of the residential construction building and progress of the site. All possible wet materials and containers was inspected and record accordingly in the form during the surveillance. Results: Result shows that the most preferred containers found was building floor (41.68%), others such as planter box that use for landscape purpose, drainage system, building mould and lift wells. The results of the research indicate that prospective containers with water and breeding sites at high rise construction sites were found to be more than those at low rise construction sites. Conclusion: Overall, substantially fewer water containers were discovered in low rise projects compared to high rise projects. Construction management need encourage all the workers to do best management practice such as proper waste disposal and removal of the water and possible wet container and conduct awareness among the workers.

A New ground open water detection scheme using Sentinel-1 SAR images

ABSTRACT The detection of groundwater is essential not only for scientific research but also for agricultural purposes. This research aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of detecting ground standing water in cropland during the spring/early summer season in eastern South Dakota, USA, by reducing misclassification between water and vegetation. The study utilizes Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. We selected and surveyed 159 ground sites, comprising 78 water sites and 81 nonwater sites, located between Brookings and Sioux Falls, SD, USA. The proposed scheme consists of three steps: 1) developing a modified speckle filter to reduce speckle noise while preserving image details, 2) characterizing the data for water and nonwater sites and providing parameter estimation using the Method of log-cumulants (MoLC) with generalized Gamma distribution (GΓD), and 3) applying Markov random field (MRF) for SAR data classification. The developed scheme demonstrates good performance with a site-based overall detection accuracy of 93.7%. In addition, it provides a computationally efficient solution for water detection, which can be applied in various applications such as crop insurance, precision agriculture and drought monitoring.

Total Dissolved Solids Risk Assessment and Optimisation Scheme of Managed Aquifer Recharge Projects in a Karst Area of Northern China

Jinan, China, is famous for its springs. However, societal and economic development over the past decades has detrimentally altered the natural water cycle in the spring area. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is an effective measure to ensure the normal gushing of springs. Balancing water resource utilisation, ecological effects, and water quality risks is not always easy to implement. This study focused on the potential effects of MAR projects that divert water from multiple local surface water sites, e.g., the Yellow River and South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) Project. A numerical simulation model for the entire spring area was built using MODFLOW and MT3DMS. The SNWD Project diverts water with relatively high total dissolved solids (TDS) to the Yufu River, which consequently recharges groundwater and poses a potential risk to the downstream karst water in the Jinan Spring area. Different simulation scenarios were set, and the results showed that the 90% recovery ratio scheme yields the highest TDS reduction efficiency as well as the largest karst water extraction volume. In addition, the water table remains stable as a whole. The benefits of the designed scheme are multifold, including improving water quality up to Standard III groundwater quality and meeting the water needs of the economy. The study provides a novel method of addressing the groundwater quality risks posed by artificial recharge.

Resource Allocation Optimization in IoT-Enabled Water Quality Monitoring Systems.

Water quality monitoring systems that are enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) and used in water applications to collect and transmit water data to data processing centers are often resource-constrained in terms of power, bandwidth, and computation resources. These limitations typically impact their performance in practice and often result in forwarding their data to remote stations where the collected water data are processed to predict the status of water quality, because of their limited computation resources. This often negates the goal of effectively monitoring the changes in water quality in a real-time manner. Consequently, this study proposes a new resource allocation method to optimize the available power and time resources as well as dynamically allocate hybrid access points (HAPs) to water quality sensors to improve the energy efficiency and data throughput of the system. The proposed system is also integrated with edge computing to enable data processing at the water site to guarantee real-time monitoring of any changes in water quality and ensure timely access to clean water by the public. The proposed method is compared with a related method to validate the system performance. The proposed system outperforms the existing system and performs well in different simulation experiments. The proposed method improved the baseline method by approximately 12.65% and 16.49% for two different configurations, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving the energy efficiency of a water quality monitoring system.

Hydrogeochemical evidence for fluoride sources and enrichment in desert groundwater: A case study of Cherchen River Basin, northwestern China

The identification of fluoride (F−) sources and enrichment mechanisms is imperative to understand the multiple fluorine (F) pathways, and further, to control regional diffuse F− contamination in groundwater. However, the factors that control high-F− groundwater are not fully understood in desert climate regions. Hence, a sampling campaign was conducted from 71 desert groundwater sites and six river water sites in the Cherchen River Basin (CRB), northwestern China. This study combined hydrochemical compositions with an optimized forward model, with the aim of determining the potential sources and enrichment mechanisms in F−-contaminated desert groundwater. Approximately 58.46% of the samples had F− concentrations over the national standard of 1.0 mg/L. More severe F− contamination was found in the multi-layered structured confined aquifer (MCA) of the alluvial plain (1.42 ± 1.11 mg/L). The primary contributors of desert groundwater F− were the dissolution of F-bearing minerals containing evaporite (∼58.80%), silicate (∼15.89%), and carbonate (∼12.94%), followed by the river water input (∼12.08%). In contrast, anthropogenic activities (∼0.16%) and precipitation contributed less to desert groundwater F−. The dissolution equilibrium of CaF2 was important for F− enrichment in desert groundwater. Compared with the piedmont plain, intensive evaporation and salinization were more conducive to F− enrichment in the alluvial plain. Under alkaline condition, the dissolutions of evaporite and fluorite allowed extra F− to release into desert groundwater when Ca2+ and Mg2+ were up to oversaturation. Moreover, the desorption of F− was promoted by competitive adsorption of OH− and HCO3−, and the adsorption capacity of F− was weakened by cation exchange of K++Na+ with Ca2++Mg2+. As a result, desert groundwater had a higher concentration of F− in the alluvial plain. Our study provided a comprehensive understanding of multiple F pathways in desert groundwater. This study also highlights the effect of hydrogeochemical background on high-F− desert groundwater.

Evaluation of climate responsive architecture and its strategies based on the ASSOCHAM GEM Sustainability Certification Rating Program –A case of Indore, India

Passive design is the integral part of design process. In India modern buildings are majorly depends upon mechanical means for heating and cooling. To reduce the dependency on the artificial means is challenge for designer. This study gives an overview of different passive design strategies used in the buildings of composite climate. A detailed review was conducted on the assessment criteria given in GEM sustainability rating system. These criteria was grouped according to responsive strategies, conservation of water resources, landscape and site plaining Etc. Based on point system given in the ASSOCHAM GEM rating different cases from similar climatic zones were evaluated. A detailed analysis of a live case from composite climate was performed using simulation method and shadow analysis. Quantification of daylight exposure evaluates the impact of size and position of window openings. It is found that basic building configuration and orientation plays an important role in creating balanced thermal environment inside the structure. After relative study of different cases it was found that building with the proper orientation and ventilation fulfill the requirements prescribed by the GEM ratings. &#x0D; Passive design is the integral part of design process. In India modern buildings are majorly depends upon mechanical means for heating and cooling. To reduce the dependency on the artificial means is challenge for designer. This study gives an overview of different passive design strategies used in the buildings of composite climate. A detailed review was conducted on the assessment criteria given in GEM sustainability rating system. These criteria was grouped according to responsive strategies, conservation of water resources, landscape and site plaining Etc. Based on point system given in the ASSOCHAM GEM rating different cases from similar climatic zones were evaluated. A detailed analysis of a live case from composite climate was performed using simulation method and shadow analysis. Quantification of daylight exposure evaluates the impact of size and position of window openings. It is found that basic building configuration and orientation plays an important role in creating balanced thermal environment inside the structure. After relative study of different cases it was found that building with the proper orientation and ventilation fulfill the requirements prescribed by the GEM ratings.

Beyond clean and affordable transition pathways: A review of issues and strategies to sustainable energy supply

Expansion of the energy demand accompanies the fossils' substitution for renewables, requiring sustainable pathways working through varying levels of economic wealth and resource availability. Fossil reserves, renewable resources, transition metals, water, and carbon storage sites are concentrated in a few countries, some relying on monetizing these resources to leverage economic growth. Accelerating the transition from fossils renders energy cleaner while introducing co-benefits and impacts, price pressure, and energy safety issues. The transition affects energy-intensive sectors propagating the clean energy strategies through varying impacts, posing issues that may hinder some sustainable development goals (SDG). A broader focus is needed, with a clear vision of the many issues and goals. The work targer this gap is targeted with a critical literature review to identify the transition issues industries prioritize. Among energy issues, renewable energy and carbon capture and mitigation are the most cited aspects. As evidenced by the number of citations of the reviewed works, transition waves progress among industries: Oil and Gas, and Cross Sectors and Cross Nations segments show fast responses to the transition occurring in the Energy industry, while Mining, Heavy Truck, and Aviation industries show delayed decarbonization. The varying response lags are attributed to the uneven complexity of achieving decarbonization among sectors, which depend on capital-intensive long-turnaround assets and protective measures.

Portable Conductometric Sensing Probe for Real-Time Monitoring Ammonia Profile in Coastal Waters.

An ability to real-time and continuously monitor ammonium/ammonia profiles of coastal waters over a prolonged period in a simple and maintenance-free fashion would enable economic conducting large-scale assessments, providing the needed scientific insights to better control and mitigate the impact of eutrophication on coastal ecosystems. However, this is a challenging task due to the lack of capable sensors. Here, we demonstrate the use of a membrane-based conductometric ammonia sensing probe (CASP) for real-time monitoring of ammonia levels in coastal waters. A boric acid/glycerol receiving phase is investigated and innovatively utilized to overcome the high salinity of coastal water-induced analytical errors. A calibration-free approach is used to eliminate the need for ongoing calibration, while the issues concerning practical applications, such as salinity variation, ammonia intake capability, and biofouling, are systematically investigated. The field deployment at an estuary confluence water site over a half-moon cycle period confirms that CASP is capable of continuously monitoring the ammonia profile of coastal waters in real-time with high resolution and accuracy to unveil the dynamic ammonia concentration changes over a prolonged period.

Artificial paradises: Man-made sites for the conservation of amphibians in a changing climate

Mediterranean wetlands harbour a rich freshwater biodiversity but also rank among the most-climate and human-pressure sensitive habitats. Amphibians are a taxonomic group strongly dependent on wetlands and the most threatened class of vertebrates due to habitat loss and alteration. In the Mediterranean region, amphibians breed in a large variety of artificial water sites (AWS). We used a large dataset of amphibian breeding sites to model functional connectivity, graph theory and climate niche modelling. AWS are radically different in structure compared to natural ones (NWS). Thus, we have disclosed how AWS can serve as a key piece of the ecological connectivity for amphibian populations; AWS and NWS have comparable values at the landscape scale, but in some areas AWS are pivotal. Furthermore, many AWS contribute by buffering the effect of climate change in the near future. We emphasize that conservation management strategies would be strengthened by including a specific focus on human-made aquatic habitats.

QPCR-Based Monitoring of 2-Methylisoborneol/Geosmin-Producing Cyanobacteria in Drinking Water Reservoirs in South Korea.

Cyanobacteria can exist in water resources and produce odorants. 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin are the main odorant compounds affecting the drinking water quality in reservoirs. In this study, encoding genes 2-MIB (mic, monoterpene cyclase) and geosmin (geo, putative geosmin synthase) were investigated using newly developed primers for quantitative PCR (qPCR). Gene copy numbers were compared to 2-MIB/geosmin concentrations and cyanobacterial cell abundance. Samples were collected between July and October 2020, from four drinking water sites in South Korea. The results showed similar trends in three parameters, although the changes in the 2-MIB/geosmin concentrations followed the changes in the mic/geo copy numbers more closely than the cyanobacterial cell abundances. The number of odorant gene copies decreased from upstream to downstream. Regression analysis revealed a strong positive linear correlation between gene copy number and odorant concentration for mic (R2 = 0.8478) and geo (R2 = 0.601). In the analysis of several environmental parameters, only water temperature was positively correlated with both mic and geo. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring 2-MIB/geosmin occurrence using qPCR of their respective synthase genes. Odorant-producing, gene-based qPCR monitoring studies may contribute to improving drinking water quality management.

Estimation of Physicochemical Properties in the Estuarine Water of Mithbav Tidal Mud Flats (Downstream Part), Coastal Maharashtra

Estuarine environments have become crucial in coastal areas nowadays. Mangrove swamps, mudflats and related estuarine environments provide a habitat for animals and encourage plant growth. For the people of coastal areas, estuaries are one of the vital sources of food and other economic activity. The imbalance in the quality and quantity of Estuarine water in terms of its physicochemical parameters causes adverse effects on marine life. In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate the physicochemical properties of the estuarine water of Mithbav tidal mud flats (downstream part) of coastal Maharashtra. Several methods have been used to evaluate the variations in physical and chemical properties of estuarine water in Mithbav including standard water testing,1 the titration method and Winkler's method. Salinity, turbidity, pH, total hardness, DO, TDS, EC, nitrate, fluoride, phosphate, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, carbonate, chloride, sodium, potassium and sulphate were examined for the seven cross-sectional sites of Mithbav estuarine water. Some parameters show levels of contamination that exceed the maximum limit. For instance, during the post-monsoon season, the average value of dissolved oxygen (DO) was recorded as 11.57mg/L whereas it has been recorded as 8.07mg/L during the summer season. The total dissolved solids (TDS) showed an average increase from 141.54 to 348.57ppt between pre and post-monsoon seasons. The electrical conductivity (EC) also increased from 45558.17μ S/Cm to 31445.85 μ S/Cm respectively from the dry to the wet season. The fluoride levels during the post-monsoon season ranged from 1.07 mg/L at CS-1 to 4.2 mg/L at CS-6. The study shows that the Mithbav coastal ecosystem and nearby areas are at significant risk of contamination from physiochemical parameters that could harm the environment.