Macroalgal fouling communities as indicators of environmental change: potential applications for water quality monitoring

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 1581-1588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Farrugia Drakard ◽  
Sandro Lanfranco ◽  
Patrick J. Schembri
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Fouling Communities

Macroalgal fouling communities are potentially useful as bioindicators in environmental monitoring as they are considered to be sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and the use of artificial substrata facilitates the implementation of standardized sampling strategies. The response of macroalgal fouling communities on buoys to changes in water quality was investigated with a view to the possible utilization of these assemblages in environmental monitoring programmes. Seven study sites were selected based on previously collected environmental data and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was used to order sites according to beam attenuation coefficient (BAC) and concentration of dissolved nitrates and phosphates, relative to a minimally impacted reference site. At each site, all fouling macroalgae were collected from 10 buoys of standard shape and size, and were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Species composition and species dominance were highly variable among impacted sites, indicating that qualitative aspects of community structure may not be useful as indicators of changes in water quality. However, higher levels of nutrient enrichment and turbidity were associated with lower macroalgal species richness, lower overall abundances, and decreased diversities, and therefore these quantitative aspects of community structure are potentially useful as indicators of environmental change. Intermediate levels of turbidity and nutrient enrichment were associated with lower evenness, but did not influence species richness, suggesting that macroalgal abundances respond to changes in environmental conditions before species replacement occurs.

scholarly journals Environmental Monitoring System by Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdelrhman ◽  
Ahmed Balkis ◽  
Ali-Abou Ahmed ElNour ◽  
Mohammed Tarique
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring ◽  
Wireless System ◽  
Environmental Monitoring System

This paper presents a reliable and low cost environmental monitoring system. The system uses an Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV) equipped with a set of sensors, microcontroller, wireless system, and other accessories. The system consists of two systems namely air quality monitoring system and water quality monitoring system. The air quality monitoring system consists of a set of gas sensors and microcontroller. This system measures the concentration of greenhouse gases at different altitudes under different environmental conditions. On the other hand, the water quality monitoring system consists of a set of water quality sensors, microcontroller, and water sampling unit. This system collects water samples from off-shore and on-shore water sources and measures water quality parameters. The present system is capable of recording the measured data in an onboard SD card. It is also able to send data to a ground monitoring unit through a wireless system. To ensure reliability in measurement the sensors are calibrated before deployment. Finally, the system is upgradable and reconfigurable. The system has been tested to measure air and water quality at different local areas. Some these measured data are also presented in this paper.

scholarly journals Hydrozoan diversity on hard bottom in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 1337-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Voronkov ◽  
Sofia D. Stepanjants ◽  
Haakon Hop
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Abundance And Distribution ◽  
First Time

Hydroids in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, were studied on five hard-bottom transects along gradients of environmental conditions from the glacier at the fjord's head to the fjord's mouth at depth-range 0–30 m. Hydrozoa colonies are widely distributed on rock and gravel substrata in Kongsfjorden. In general, however, hydroids are not dominant or subdominant in zoobenthic communities. The exception isSymplectoscyphus tricuspidatusvar.acuminatus, colonies of which were sometimes abundant enough to determine the community structure and characteristics of benthic diversity. Of the 23 species recorded in this study,Laomedea flexuosa,Phialella quadrataandHalecium tenellumas well as representatives of family Stylasteridae were recorded from Svalbard waters for the first time. Hydroid diversity was highest in the zoobenthic community structured by branched bryozoans. The abundance and distribution of hydroids were reduced, to some extent, in the inner part of the fjord compared to the outer fjord. Species richness of hydroids was high at shallow depths, decreased at around 15 m and then increased again to 30 m depth. Species with Low-boreal–Arctic and Panoceanic distributional ranges were the most frequently occurring species. Depth, type of background substratum and amount of silt on its surface were the main factors influencing hydroid distribution. Description of all recorded taxa distributions together with data on their habitat and associations in zoobenthic communities are presented in an Appendix.

scholarly journals Quality assured sampling by engaged citizen scientists supports state agency coastal water quality monitoring programs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Falinski ◽  
Tova Callender ◽  
Emily Fielding ◽  
Robin Newbold ◽  
Dana Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
State Agency ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Monitoring Programs ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Non Profit Organizations

Pacific island coral reef ecosystems are particularly threatened by anthropogenic stresses we can manage in the context of global threats we cannot control. State agencies are challenged to sample coastal waters at the spatial and temporal resolution needed to make decisions about improving watershed management. The acquisition of environmental data by committed non-profit organizations and trained community members represents a major opportunity to support agency monitoring programs and to complement field campaigns in the study of watershed dynamics. When data collection protocols match state agency protocols and these are supported by sufficient documentation there is an opportunity to create regulatory-quality data that can inform management. We describe the formation of the first volunteer group in Hawaii to establish a quality assured water quality sampling program to match the Hawaii Department of Health’s protocols. Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a partnership between three non-profit organizations on Maui, Hawaii, has trained 40 volunteers to use methods that directly match the state program. The group has taken over 900 discrete samples at 48 sites, providing the most comprehensive picture of water quality in Maui to date, motivating community activism and catalyzing large-scale restoration efforts in the adjoining watersheds. Results highlight coastal areas that have poor water quality, delineate a baseline from which to compare future restoration projects, and emphasize parts of the sampling protocol that might be improved for more reliable data.

scholarly journals Weekly water quality monitoring data for the River Thames (UK) and its major tributaries (2009–2013): The Thames Initiative research platform

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Bowes ◽  
Linda K. Armstrong ◽  
Sarah A. Harman ◽  
Heather D. Wickham ◽  
Peter M. Scarlett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
River Thames ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract. The River Thames and 15 of its major tributaries have been monitored at weekly intervals since March 2009. Monitored determinands include major nutrient fractions, anions, cations, metals, pH, alkalinity and chlorophyll a., and linked to mean daily river flows at each site. This catchment-wide biogeochemical monitoring platform captures changes in the water quality of the Thames basin during a period of rapid change, related to increasing pressures (due to a rapidly growing human population, increasing water demand and climate change) and improvements in sewage treatment processes and agricultural practises. The platform provides the research community with a valuable data and modelling resource for furthering our understanding of pollution sources and dynamics, and interactions between water quality and aquatic ecology. Comparing Thames Initiative data with previous (non-continuous) monitoring data sets from many common study sites, dating back to 1997, has shown that there have been major reductions is phosphorus concentrations at most sites, occurring at low river flow, and these are principally due to reduced loadings from sewage treatment works. This ongoing monitoring programme will provide the vital underpinning environmental data required to best manage this vital drinking water resource, which is key for the sustainability of the city of London and the wider UK economy. The Thames Initiative data set is freely available from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology's Environmental Information Data Centre at doi:10.5285/e4c300b1-8bc3-4df2-b23a-e72e67eef2fd.

scholarly journals Weekly water quality monitoring data for the River Thames (UK) and its major tributaries (2009–2013): the Thames Initiative research platform

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1637-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Bowes ◽  
Linda K. Armstrong ◽  
Sarah A. Harman ◽  
Heather D. Wickham ◽  
David J. E. Nicholls ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
River Thames

Abstract. The River Thames and 15 of its major tributaries have been monitored at weekly intervals since March 2009. Monitored determinands include major nutrient fractions, anions, cations, metals, pH, alkalinity, and chlorophyll a and are linked to mean daily river flows at each site. This catchment-wide biogeochemical monitoring platform captures changes in the water quality of the Thames basin during a period of rapid change, related to increasing pressures (due to a rapidly growing human population, increasing water demand and climate change) and improvements in sewage treatment processes and agricultural practices. The platform provides the research community with a valuable data and modelling resource for furthering our understanding of pollution sources and dynamics, as well as interactions between water quality and aquatic ecology. Combining Thames Initiative data with previous (non-continuous) monitoring data sets from many common study sites, dating back to 1997, has shown that there have been major reductions in phosphorus concentrations at most sites, occurring at low river flow, and these are principally due to reduced loadings from sewage treatment works (STWs). This ongoing monitoring programme will provide the vital underpinning environmental data required to best manage this vital drinking water resource, which is key for the sustainability of the city of London and the wider UK economy. The Thames Initiative data set is freely available from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's (CEH) Environmental Information Data Centre at https://doi.org/10.5285/e4c300b1-8bc3-4df2-b23a-e72e67eef2fd.

scholarly journals Structure of potamoplankton along a gradient of preservation of riparian vegetation in subtropical streams

2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 841-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
DENISE PERESIN ◽  
LEZILDA C. TORGAN ◽  
UWE H. SCHULZ ◽  
LUCIANE O. CROSSETTI
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Main Determinant ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Increasing Trends ◽  
Lentic Systems

Water quality in lotic and lentic systems is greatly influenced by the land use in the adjacent areas. This study was conducted in order to assess whether different degrees of preservation of riparian forest (from well preserved with 30m wide up to degraded with < 5 m wide) influence potamoplankton community structure. The study was conducted in three streams in the upper region of the Rio dos Sinos basin, at four sampling sites, with different width of the forest. Samplings were gathered for abiotic and biological analysis in winter (August 2010) and summer (January/February 2011). The analysis of environmental and biotic variables indicated that seasonality was the main determinant of biomass patterns, regardless of the width of riparian vegetation. The potamoplankton community of the studied streams responded to environmental conditions, although lack of significant difference among the different degrees of riparian vegetation preservation has been observed. Increasing trends on biomass, richness and diversity of species, and higher concentrations of total phosphorus and nitrogen in the non-preserved areas might indicate that the different gradients of preservation of riparian vegetation are related with the water quality in subtropical streams and consequently with the potamoplankton structure.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Variability in Environmental Conditions Influences the Performance and Behavior of Juvenile Steelhead in a Coastal California Lagoon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosealea M. Bond ◽  
Joseph D. Kiernan ◽  
Ann-Marie K. Osterback ◽  
Cynthia H. Kern ◽  
Alexander E. Hay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Distributed Temperature Sensing ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Riverine Habitat ◽  
Physiological Tolerances ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractIn California (USA), seasonal lagoons provide important oversummer rearing habitat for juvenile steelhead trout (anadromous Oncorhynchus mykiss). However, key water quality parameters such as temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration can periodically approach or exceed the physiological tolerances of steelhead during the protracted dry season. A field study employing distributed temperature sensing technology, water quality monitoring, habitat mapping, and mark-recapture sampling was conducted to examine how shifting environmental conditions affected the performance and behavior of juvenile steelhead in the Scott Creek estuary/lagoon (Santa Cruz County). Abiotic conditions were driven by episodic inputs of seawater to the typically freshwater lagoon. During midsummer, the water column was vertically stratified which reduced suitable lagoon rearing habitat by approximately 40%. Nevertheless, steelhead abundance, growth, and condition factor were high during the summer and decreased in autumn following lagoon destratification and cooling. Unlike previous work, this study identified limited emigration from the lagoon to riverine habitat during the summer. Instead, juvenile steelhead exhibited crepuscular movement patterns within the lagoon, with peaks in upstream (to upper lagoon habitat) and downstream (to lower lagoon habitat) movement occurring at dawn and dusk, respectively. This study underscores that habitat complexity and connectivity are critical for juvenile steelhead production and persistence and provides insight into steelhead habitat use and behavior in seasonal lagoons.

scholarly journals Participatory process in environmental monitoring design: examples from the Port of Limassol

2021 ◽  
Vol 899 (1) ◽  
pp. 012045
Author(s):  
R Abualhaija ◽  
D Hayes ◽  
J Reodica ◽  
T Pieri ◽  
M Michaelides
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Participatory Process ◽  
Sea Transport ◽  
Monitoring Design ◽  
Port Area ◽  
Monitoring Stations

Abstract Sea transport and seaborne trade have increased significantly in the past few decades. As sea traffic hubs, ports have high risks because of the limitation in manoeuvrability, number of vessels, and land-based port activities. In the coastal city of Limassol, water and air pollution has been anecdotally attributed to port activities. The STEAM project (Sea Traffic Management in the Eastern Mediterranean, INTEGRATED/0916/0063, [1]) aims to set up a monitoring plan to aid in the identification and mitigation of pollution sources. The project followed a participatory process, where port stakeholders and scientists were consulted and included in the ideation, design and implementation process. This participatory process developed a greater sense of stakeholder ownership in the environmental monitoring programs and facilitated their adoption. According to the consultation process, air and water quality are the most important factors to monitor. Five static and one mobile multi-sensor monitoring stations make up the air quality monitoring design for the Port of Limassol. Three air quality stations were installed within the port area along with two stations near the anchorage area. Two environmental data buoys and two oil detectors make up the water quality monitoring stations. The oil detectors will be placed within the port. One environmental data buoy will be placed downstream of the port, while the second buoy will be placed between the port entrance, the Limassol Marina and the anchorage area.

scholarly journals Protocol for monitoring aquatic invertebrates of small streams in the Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network: Version 2.1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bowles ◽  
Michael Williams ◽  
Hope Dodd ◽  
Lloyd Morrison ◽  
Janice Hinsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Specific Conductance ◽  
Stream Water Quality ◽  
Small Streams

The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network (HTLN) is a component of the National Park Service’s (NPS) strategy to improve park management through greater reliance on scientific information. The purposes of this program are to design and implement long-term ecological monitoring and provide information for park managers to evaluate the integrity of park ecosystems and better understand ecosystem processes. Concerns over declining surface water quality have led to the development of various monitoring approaches to assess stream water quality. Freshwater streams in network parks are threatened by numerous stressors, most of which originate outside park boundaries. Stream condition and ecosystem health are dependent on processes occurring in the entire watershed as well as riparian and floodplain areas; therefore, they cannot be manipulated independently of this interrelationship. Land use activities—such as timber management, landfills, grazing, confined animal feeding operations, urbanization, stream channelization, removal of riparian vegetation and gravel, and mineral and metals mining—threaten stream quality. Accordingly, the framework for this aquatic monitoring is directed towards maintaining the ecological integrity of the streams in those parks. Invertebrates are an important tool for understanding and detecting changes in ecosystem integrity, and they can be used to reflect cumulative impacts that cannot otherwise be detected through traditional water quality monitoring. The broad diversity of invertebrate species occurring in aquatic systems similarly demonstrates a broad range of responses to different environmental stressors. Benthic invertebrates are sensitive to the wide variety of impacts that influence Ozark streams. Benthic invertebrate community structure can be quantified to reflect stream integrity in several ways, including the absence of pollution sensitive taxa, dominance by a particular taxon combined with low overall taxa richness, or appreciable shifts in community composition relative to reference condition. Furthermore, changes in the diversity and community structure of benthic invertebrates are relatively simple to communicate to resource managers and the public. To assess the natural and anthropo-genic processes influencing invertebrate communities, this protocol has been designed to incorporate the spatial relationship of benthic invertebrates with their local habitat including substrate size and embeddedness, and water quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and turbidity). Rigid quality control and quality assurance are used to ensure maximum data integrity. Detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and supporting information are associated with this protocol.

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