scholarly journals Investigating the Human Impacts and the Environmental Consequences of Microplastics Disposal into Water Resources

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 828
Author(s):  
Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos ◽  
Miltiadis G. Zamparas ◽  
Vasileios C. Kapsalis
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollutants ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Coastal Deposits ◽  
Industry Policy ◽  
Key Phrases

During the last decades, one of the most contentious environmental issues has been the investigation of the fate of microplastics (MPs) and detrimental consequences in natural and water resources worldwide. In this respect, it is critical research firstly to track the ways in which MPs are determined as key anthropogenic pollutants in terms of ecological risk and secondly to plan feasible policies under which the role of science and society in tackling this global issue in the future should be prioritized. In this study, a systematic theoretical, technical, and planning analysis was developed in alignment with a Scopus search deployed in the second half of the year 2021 and covering a wide chronological range (from 1970s onwards) and thematic contexts of analysis by using keywords and key phrases organized into two groups. The document results were graphically represented, revealing the main scientific focus of studies. Subsequently, our study investigated the quantitative assessment methods of MPs in marine environments, denoting the range of standard procedures applied for collecting and analyzing samples of water, bottom sediments, and coastal deposits. The technological part of the study includes the presentation of the relevant analytical techniques applied for MPs tracking and monitoring in water resources, determining the wide spectrum of plastic compounds traced. Of particular interest was the determination of environmental depletion and human implications caused, even by extremely low concentrations of MPs, for marine biota, posing potential risks to marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and food availability. Finally, the research proposed the challenges of actions needed to support scientific, industry, policy, and civil society communities to curb the ongoing flow of MPs and the toxic chemicals they contain into water resources, while rethinking the ways of plastics consumption by humanity.

scholarly journals Estimation of Water Storage Changes in Small Endorheic Lakes in Northern Kazakhstan; The Effect of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Influences 

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim Yapiyev ◽  
Kanat Samarkhanov ◽  
Dauren Zhumabayev ◽  
Nazym Tulegenova ◽  
Saltanat Jumassultanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
Climatic Data

Both climate change and anthropogenic activities contribute to the deterioration of terrestrial water resources and ecosystems worldwide. Central Asian endorheic basins are among the most affected regions through both climate and human impacts. Here, we used a digital elevation model, digitized bathymetry maps and Landsat images to estimate the areal water cover extent and volumetric storage changes in small terminal lakes in Burabay National Nature Park (BNNP), located in Northern Central Asia (CA), for the period of 1986 to 2016. Based on the analysis of long-term climatic data from meteorological stations, short-term hydrometeorological network observations, gridded climate datasets (CRU) and global atmospheric reanalysis (ERA Interim), we have evaluated the impacts of historical climatic conditions on the water balance of BNNP lake catchments. We also discuss the future based on regional climate model projections. We attribute the overall decline of BNNP lakes to long-term deficit of water balance with lake evaporation loss exceeding precipitation inputs. Direct anthropogenic water abstraction has a minor importance in water balance. However, the changes in watersheds caused by the expansion of human settlements and roads disrupting water drainage may play a more significant role in lake water storage decline. More precise water resources assessment at the local scale will be facilitated by further development of freely available higher spatial resolution remote sensing products. In addition, the results of this work can be used for the development of lake/reservoir evaporation models driven by remote sensing and atmospheric reanalysis data without the direct use of ground observations.

Organic Matter Cycling

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
World Ocean ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Redfield Ratio ◽  
Structural Support ◽  
Transformation Of Organic Matter

In this chapter the general processes involved in controlling production and transformation of organic matter will be discussed as well as some of the associated stoichiometric changes of a few key biological elements (e.g., C, N, P, S). Stoichiometry is defined as the mass balance of chemical reactions as they relate to the law of definite proportions and conservation of mass (Sterner and Elser, 2002). For example, if we examine the average atomic ratios of C, N, and P in phytoplankton we see a relatively consistent ratio of 106:16:1 in most marine species. This is perhaps the best example of applied stoichiometric principles in natural ecosystems and is derived from the classic work of Alfred C. Redfield (1890–1983) (Redfield, 1958; Redfield et al., 1963). More specifically, Redfield compared the ratios of C, N, and P of dissolved nutrients in marine waters to that of suspended marine particulate matter (seston) (essentially phytoplankton) and found straight lines with equal slopes (figure 8.1; Redfield et al., 1963). This relationship suggested that marine biota were critical in determining the chemistry of the world ocean, clearly one of the most important historical findings linking chemical and biological oceanography (Falkowski, 2000). Moreover, the Redfield ratio has been further validated with recent data using improved analytical techniques (Karl et al., 1993; Hoppema and Goeyens, 1999). Other work has shown that there are predictable deviations from the Redfield ratio across a freshwater to open ocean marine gradient (figure 8.2; Downing, 1997). For example, N-to-P ratios in estuaries have commonly been shown to be lower and/or higher than the predicted Redfield ratio because of denitrification and anthropogenic nutrient enrichment processes, respectively. Inputs of vascular plant organic matter (e.g., mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses) to estuarine systems presents another problem in causing deviations of C:N:P from the Redfield ratio. Vascular plants have been shown to deviate from this ratio in part because of relatively high amounts of C and N compared to algae due to a higher abundance of structural support molecules (e.g., cellulose, lignin) and defense antiherbivory (secondary) compounds (e.g., tannins), respectively (Vitousek et al., 1988).

Overview of the current status of sediment chemical analysis: trends in analytical techniques

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (NA) ◽  
pp. 37-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don-Roger Parkinson ◽  
Julian M. Dust
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollutants ◽  
The Status ◽  
Analytical Approaches ◽  
Inorganic And Organic

This article reviews selected techniques and current trends in the analysis of contaminants in sediments since the year 2000. Because of the variety of anthropogenic target analytes encountered in sediments, the monograph is separated into inorganic and organic subsections. Practical aspects, including advances in: analysis of standards, biological methods, instrumental methods, modeling aspects, sample preparation and extraction methods, and speciation techniques are discussed. The sediment matrices are complex and require an integrated approach encompassing sampling, preparation, extraction, and analysis steps to reach the detection levels required. Often hyphenated techniques are employed to utilize the multi-resolving and isolation powers of the combined instrumentation. The review mainly focuses on the ability of developing techniques and their approaches and applications not only to solve new problems but also to push detection limits on historically well known inorganic and organic contaminants, while highlighting emerging persistent organic pollutants. The impetus of such research is to obtain a more factual understanding of an ecosystem and overall condition of its habitant in the context of sediments that may act as reservoirs for anthropogenic pollutants. The review is not comprehensive but rather provides an overview of the status of sediment chemical analysis and focuses on the trends in analytical approaches towards analytes of anthropogenic contaminants in sediments.

scholarly journals Geochemical composition of sapropel in lakes: reflections of paleoenvironmental conditions and anthropogenic influence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Satkūnas ◽  
Vaidotas Valskys ◽  
Gytautas Ignatavičius ◽  
Alma Grigienė
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Geochemical Composition ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Geochemical and lithological parameters of sapropel in lakes, combined with pollen data and radiocarbon 14C datings, contain a wide spectrum of environmental information. This includes records of fluctuations of water level and changes of conditions of sedimentation, accumulation of organic matter and chemical elements due to climate change, human impacts and other environmental changes. Four lakes with different trophic states and anthropogenic pressures were chosen for this study in Lithuania. Lake Balsys has a mesotrophic state while Lakes Didžiulis, Salotė and Gineitiškės have eutrophic states. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was used to analyse concentrations of chemical elements, loss-on-ignition to determine organic, mineral and carbonate matter, pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating were applied for determination of paleoenvironmental conditions and age of sediments. Results of this study demonstrated rather different chemical compositions of sapropels in these lakes. Human impacts are evident in the upper layers of sapropel in all lakes, however very specific and complex geochemical composition was determined in deeper layers of sapropel in the different lakes. Higher concentrations of elements like Cr and Zn are expected in deeper layers of sapropel and are attributed to lithogenic association of trace elements. Pb and Cu were detected in upper layers of sapropel which indicates the impact of anthropogenic activity. Sapropel of eutrophic lakes (Salotė and Gineitiškės) is enriched by high concentrations of heavy metals (galbūt naudoti tiesiog chemical elements?) (Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn). Their main source was multidimensional anthropogenic pollution leading to a biogenic-anthropogenic association of elements. Sapropel with low concentrations of heavy metals exhibits a different inter-association matrix because most of the elements tend to form lithogenic-clastogenic associations.

Human Impact in the Midriff Islands

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad J. Bahre ◽  
Luis Bourillón
Keyword(s):  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
San Lorenzo ◽  
European Contact ◽  
San Pedro ◽  
Maximum Elevation ◽  
Desert Island ◽  
Northwestern Mexico

Although many students of island biogeography consider the midriff islands one of the world’s last major refuges of pristine desert-island biota, humans have been a part of that ecosystem for possibly 10,000 years or more. Humans have long affected the terrestrial and inshore marine biota, but the most serious injuries they have caused apparently began in the mid- to late nineteenth century with the start of guano mining on Patos, Rasa, and San Pedro Mártir islands. Since then, most of the major human impacts affecting the Midriff are related to rapid population growth in northwestern Mexico and increasing demands for the Midriff’s fishery and tourist resources. This chapter offers both historical and ecological perspectives on the human occupancy of the Midriff, so that a cultural-historical foundation will be available for ecological studies in the region as well as for land-use planning and conservation. The Midriff, located between 28° and 29°45´N and 112° and 114°W, includes the coasts of Lower California and Sonora and 39 islands and islets. Tiburόn, with an area of 1223.53 km2 and a maximum elevation of 1219 m, and Ángel de la Guarda, with an area of 936.04 km2 and a maximum elevation of 1315 m, are among the largest and most mountainous islands of Mexico. The other major islands of the Midriff, in order of decreasing size, are San Esteban (40.72 km2), San Lorenzo (33.03 km2), Smith (Coronado) (9.13 km2), San Lorenzo Norte (Las Ánimas) (4.26 km2), San Pedro Mártir (2.9 km2), Mejía (2.26 km2), Partida Norte (1.36 km2), Dátil (Turner) (1.25 km2), Alcatraz (Tassne or Pelícano) (1.2 km2), Salsipuedes (1.16 km2), Estanque (Pond) (1.03 km2), Rasa (0.68 km2), and Patos (0.45 km2) (Murphy, unpublished data). The entire region is extremely arid, and Tiburón is the only island that has permanent potable water, found in a few springs or in tinajas, although several tinajas on Ángel de la Guarda may contain water for long periods. The only island permanently inhabited since initial European contact is Tiburón, the historic stronghold of the Seri Indians or Comcáac, once a seminomadic, nonagricultural, seafaring, hunting, fishing, and gathering people.

scholarly journals Hydrological impacts of global land cover change and human water use

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 5603-5626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce H. C. Bosmans ◽  
Ludovicus P. H. van Beek ◽  
Edwin H. Sutanudjaja ◽  
Marc F. P. Bierkens
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Land Cover Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Water Abstraction ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Human impacts on global terrestrial hydrology have been accelerating during the 20th century. These human impacts include the effects of reservoir building and human water use, as well as land cover change. To date, many global studies have focussed on human water use, but only a few focus on or include the impact of land cover change. Here we use PCR-GLOBWB, a combined global hydrological and water resources model, to assess the impacts of land cover change as well as human water use globally in different climatic zones. Our results show that land cover change has a strong effect on the global hydrological cycle, on the same order of magnitude as the effect of human water use (applying irrigation, abstracting water, for industrial use for example, including reservoirs, etc.). When globally averaged, changing the land cover from that of 1850 to that of 2000 increases discharge through reduced evapotranspiration. The effect of land cover change shows large spatial variability in magnitude and sign of change depending on, for example, the specific land cover change and climate zone. Overall, land cover effects on evapotranspiration are largest for the transition of tall natural vegetation to crops in energy-limited equatorial and warm temperate regions. In contrast, the inclusion of irrigation, water abstraction and reservoirs reduces global discharge through enhanced evaporation over irrigated areas and reservoirs as well as through water consumption. Hence, in some areas land cover change and water distribution both reduce discharge, while in other areas the effects may partly cancel out. The relative importance of both types of impacts varies spatially across climatic zones. From this study we conclude that land cover change needs to be considered when studying anthropogenic impacts on water resources.

scholarly journals Modern Analytical Techniques for Detection of Bacteria in Surface and Wastewaters

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7229
Author(s):  
Alexandra Canciu ◽  
Mihaela Tertis ◽  
Oana Hosu ◽  
Andreea Cernat ◽  
Cecilia Cristea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Electrochemical Sensors ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Surface Enhanced ◽  
Surface Enhanced Raman ◽  
Enhanced Raman Scattering ◽  
All Diseases

Contamination of surface waters with pathogens as well as all diseases associated with such events are a significant concern worldwide. In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in developing analytical methods with good performance for the detection of this category of contaminants. The most important analytical methods applied for the determination of bacteria in waters are traditional ones (such as bacterial culturing methods, enzyme-linked immunoassay, polymerase chain reaction, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification) and advanced alternative methods (such as spectrometry, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and magnetic field-assisted and hyphenated techniques). In addition, optical and electrochemical sensors have gained much attention as essential alternatives for the conventional detection of bacteria. The large number of available methods have been materialized by many publications in this field aimed to ensure the control of water quality in water resources. This study represents a critical synthesis of the literature regarding the latest analytical methods covering comparative aspects of pathogen contamination of water resources. All these aspects are presented as representative examples, focusing on two important bacteria with essential implications on the health of the population, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document