scholarly journals Quantification of anthropogenic impact on groundwater-dependent terrestrial ecosystem using geochemical and isotope tools combined with 3-D flow and transport modelling

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1015-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Zurek ◽  
S. Witczak ◽  
M. Dulinski ◽  
P. Wachniew ◽  
K. Rozanski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Groundwater Seepage ◽  
Quaternary Aquifer ◽  
Flow And Transport ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Well Field ◽  
Neogene Aquifer

Abstract. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) have important functions in all climatic zones as they contribute to biological and landscape diversity and provide important economic and social services. Steadily growing anthropogenic pressure on groundwater resources creates a conflict situation between nature and man which are competing for clean and safe sources of water. Such conflicts are particularly noticeable in GDEs located in densely populated regions. A dedicated study was launched in 2010 with the main aim to better understand the functioning of a groundwater-dependent terrestrial ecosystem (GDTE) located in southern Poland. The GDTE consists of a valuable forest stand (Niepolomice Forest) and associated wetland (Wielkie Błoto fen). It relies mostly on groundwater from the shallow Quaternary aquifer and possibly from the deeper Neogene (Bogucice Sands) aquifer. In July 2009 a cluster of new pumping wells abstracting water from the Neogene aquifer was set up 1 km to the northern border of the fen. A conceptual model of the Wielkie Błoto fen area for the natural, pre-exploitation state and for the envisaged future status resulting from intense abstraction of groundwater through the new well field was developed. The main aim of the reported study was to probe the validity of the conceptual model and to quantify the expected anthropogenic impact on the studied GDTE. A wide range of research tools was used. The results obtained through combined geologic, geophysical, geochemical, hydrometric and isotope investigations provide strong evidence for the existence of upward seepage of groundwater from the deeper Neogene aquifer to the shallow Quaternary aquifer supporting the studied GDTE. Simulations of the groundwater flow field in the study area with the aid of a 3-D flow and transport model developed for Bogucice Sands (Neogene) aquifer and calibrated using environmental tracer data and observations of hydraulic head in three different locations on the study area, allowed us to quantify the transient response of the aquifer to operation of the newly established Wola Batorska well field. The model runs reveal the presence of upward groundwater seepage to the shallow Quaternary aquifer of the order of 440 m3 d−1. By the end of the simulation period (2029), with continuous operation of the Wola Batorska well field at maximum permissible capacity (ca. 10 000 m3 d−1), the direction of groundwater seepage will change sign (total change of the order of 900 m3 d−1). The water table drawdown in the study area will reach ca. 30 cm. This may have significant adverse effects on functioning of the studied GDTE.

scholarly journals Quantification of anthropogenic impact on groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystem using geochemical and isotope tools combined with 3-D flow and transport modeling

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 9671-9713
Author(s):  
A. J. Zurek ◽  
S. Witczak ◽  
M. Dulinski ◽  
P. Wachniew ◽  
K. Rozanski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Transport Modeling ◽  
Environmental Tracers ◽  
Groundwater Abstraction ◽  
Flow And Transport ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Status ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Stable Isotopes Of Water

Abstract. A dedicated study was launched in 2010 with the main aim to better understand the functioning of groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystem (GDTE) located in southern Poland. The GDTE consists of a valuable forest stand (Niepolomice Forest) and associated wetland (Wielkie Bloto fen). A wide range of tools (environmental tracers, geochemistry, geophysics, 3-D flow and transport modeling) was used. The research was conducted along three major directions: (i) quantification of the dynamics of groundwater flow in various parts of the aquifer associated with GDTE, (ii) quantification of the degree of interaction between the GDTE and the aquifer, and (iii) 3-D modeling of groundwater flow in the vicinity of the studied GDTE and quantification of possible impact of enhanced exploitation of the aquifer on the status of GDTE. Environmental tracer data (tritium, stable isotopes of water) strongly suggest that upward leakage of the aquifer contributes significantly to the present water balance of the studied wetland and associated forest. Physico-chemical parameters of water (pH, conductivity, Na / Cl ratio) confirm this notion. Model runs indicate that prolonged groundwater abstraction through the newly-established network of water supply wells, conducted at maximum permitted capacity (ca. 10 000 m3 d−1), may trigger drastic changes in the ecosystem functioning, eventually leading to its degradation.

SOILS OF SMALL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE STEPPE ZONE AS A RESULT OF BRONZE AGE ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liudmila Plekhanova
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Phosphorus Compounds ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
History Of

"The contemporary direction of natural pedogenesis/soil science is ancient anthropogenic impact and climate fluctuations changes. A large number of settlements in the river valleys are unique objects with a long history of development and modern soil cover formation. We studied the soil between the dwellings for a small settlement Zarya of the Bronze Age. The settlement was part of the economic zone of cattle breeding (horses and cows and sheep) of the large early Bronze Age fortified city Sarym-Sakla, one of the country's Proto-Iranian Cities of the Trans-Ural Plateau. The activity of ancient societies changed the terrestrial ecosystem functioning at macro and microscales. Increased heterogeneity of microrelief forms led to the diversity of soil cover. We found the unusual soil types on microelevations and microdepressions. The enrichment of the cultural layer with phosphorus compounds was revealed, and the hypothesis of the formation of a ""reverse"" ratio of chernozems-solonetzes of the soil cover of the low above-floodplain terrace as a consequence of several stages of ancient anthropogenic pressure and climatic aridization was confirmed in this area. We focused on the determination of organic carbon content, magnetic susceptibility, salt composition, cation exchange capacity, and the distribution of mobile phosphates along the soil profile as possible indicators of ancient anthropogenic influence. The degree of soil properties changes during the anthropogenic impact is commensurate with their transformation in the natural evolution of centuries and even several millennia. Past anthropogenic changes leave a mark in the history of the development of the soil cover predetermining the modern danger of the degradation phenomena. Moreover, we draw parallels in the history of ecosystems formation and outlined tasks for further research."

The vegetation of the small rivers of Novosibirsk Region (a syntaxonomic essay)

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Kipriyanova ◽  
M. A. Kleshchev
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
West Siberia ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Aquatic Communities ◽  
Emergent Plants ◽  
Novosibirsk Region ◽  
General Chemical ◽  
Wide Range

Information on the aquatic and semiaquatic vegetation of the major watercourses of West Siberia is relatively scarce, while this of small rivers is practically absent. There are 430 rivers whose length exceeds 10 km within the Novosibirsk Region. The aim of our work was to study the phytocenotic diversity of their aquatic and semiaquatic vegetation. 130 geobotanical relevés were performed by the authors in July–August 2003–2005. The object was aquatic communities formed by true aquatic (submergent and floating-leaved) plants and semiaquatic ones with emergent plants and these of water′s edge. In total 10 watercourses were studied (Table 1): 2–3 in each of five geomorphologic regions within the forest-steppe zone (Table 2). The upper, middle and lower courses (Fig. 1, Table 1) with the length of 2–2.5 km were studied in each case to ensure the 4–5 repetition of main elements (stream pools and ridges) that would give a reliable information on their flora and vegetation. The sample plots were selected above the settlements, whenever possible in sites with no to intensive anthropogenic impact. The data were collected according to J. Braun-Blanquet (1964) approach. The relevés were done on the sample plot of 100 m2 placed in the most homogeneous part of the community or, in case of its smaller area, within the natural boundaries. The following scale was used for abundance estimation: r — the species is extremely rare; + — rare, small cover; 1 — the number of individuals is large, the cover is small or individuals are sparse, but the cover is large; 2 —cover of 5–25 %; 3 — 26–50 %; 4 — 51–75 %; 5 — more than 75 %. The date on water depth, transparency (on a white Secchi disk with a diameter of 30 cm), temperature and the flow rate were obtained. The soil mechanical composition and color, the degree and nature of anthropogenic impact on vegetation and river banks were quantified. Water samples for general chemical analysis were taken in the middle course of each river. Computer programs TURBOVEG and MEGATAB (Hennekens, 1996) were used for database. The syntaxonomic affiliation of phytocenoses was determined using modern literature (Bobrov, Chemeris, 2006; Vegetace..., 2011; Chepinoga, 2015; Landucci et al. 2015; Mucina et al., 2016, etc.). 36 associations and 3 communities belonging to 12 alliances, 9 orders, and 5 classes have been identified (Tables 3–14, Fig. 2–9). Such great syntaxonomic diversity is determined by the significant ecotopic variety, the variability of substrates, the wide range of water flow rates and the different water trophicity. For comparison, 26 associations, 13 variants, 2 communities were identified in the study of 50 rivers of Lithuania (Sinkyavichene, 1992); altogether 84 associations are known for the Upper Volga region as a whole (Bob­rov, Chemeris, 2006), while 45 ones were recorded previously in 130 watercourses of this region (Bobrov, 1999). Information on small river macroalgae cenoses in the study area is partially reflected in the paper published earlier (Bobrov et al., 2005).

scholarly journals Responses to Ecopollutants and Pathogenization Risks of Saprotrophic Rhodococcus Species

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 974
Author(s):  
Irina B. Ivshina ◽  
Maria S. Kuyukina ◽  
Anastasiia V. Krivoruchko ◽  
Elena A. Tyumina
Keyword(s):  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Resting Cells ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollutants ◽  
Rhodococcus Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rigid Cell Wall

Under conditions of increasing environmental pollution, true saprophytes are capable of changing their survival strategies and demonstrating certain pathogenicity factors. Actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus, typical soil and aquatic biotope inhabitants, are characterized by high ecological plasticity and a wide range of oxidized organic substrates, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Their cell adaptations, such as the ability of adhering and colonizing surfaces, a complex life cycle, formation of resting cells and capsule-like structures, diauxotrophy, and a rigid cell wall, developed against the negative effects of anthropogenic pollutants are discussed and the risks of possible pathogenization of free-living saprotrophic Rhodococcus species are proposed. Due to universal adaptation features, Rhodococcus species are among the candidates, if further anthropogenic pressure increases, to move into the group of potentially pathogenic organisms with “unprofessional” parasitism, and to join an expanding list of infectious agents as facultative or occasional parasites.

scholarly journals Antifungals, arthropods and antifungal resistance prevention: lessons from ecological interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1944) ◽  
pp. 20202716
Author(s):  
Steve Kett ◽  
Ayush Pathak ◽  
Stefano Turillazzi ◽  
Duccio Cavalieri ◽  
Massimiliano Marvasi
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Antifungal Resistance ◽  
Antifungal Compound ◽  
Antifungal Compounds ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mutualistic Association

Arthropods can produce a wide range of antifungal compounds, including specialist proteins, cuticular products, venoms and haemolymphs. In spite of this, many arthropod taxa, particularly eusocial insects, make use of additional antifungal compounds derived from their mutualistic association with microbes. Because multiple taxa have evolved such mutualisms, it must be assumed that, under certain ecological circumstances, natural selection has favoured them over those relying upon endogenous antifungal compound production. Further, such associations have been shown to persist versus specific pathogenic fungal antagonists for more than 50 million years, suggesting that compounds employed have retained efficacy in spite of the pathogens' capacity to develop resistance. We provide a brief overview of antifungal compounds in the arthropods’ armoury, proposing a conceptual model to suggest why their use remains so successful. Fundamental concepts embedded within such a model may suggest strategies by which to reduce the rise of antifungal resistance within the clinical milieu.

scholarly journals Atmospheric precipitation on the soils of Belarusian Polesye

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
M. K. Chartko ◽  
A. A. Karpichenka
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Atmospheric Precipitation ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
North East ◽  
State Radiation

The article considers the influence of atmospheric precipitation in the form of dust and dry residue with rain and snow in the formation of technogenic situations in the soils of the Belarusian Polesye. Anthropogenic impact on the soil is formed as a result of entering into the soil of technogenesis product, is made up of atmospheric precipitation in the form of dust and rain, as well as key components of chemical reclamation (Ca, Mg, K, N, P) of soil. Based on field research and data of the Hydrometeorological Service of Belarus there was generalized the information and disclosed the regularities of dust deposition and mineral residue precipitation in Belarusian Polesye. Mapping the anthropogenic impact on the soil was performed using software packages ESRI ArcView and ESRI ArcGIS. It is set a noticeable spatial heterogeneity in the level of anthropogenic impact on the soil of the Belarusian Polesye, ranging from 6,3 t/ha per year in the district of Gantsevichi to 17,6 t/ha in Malorita district, Brest region. There is a general tendency of increasing of the given parameter in the direction from north-east to south-west of Polesye. The level of anthropogenic impact is largely dependent on natural (soil properties and structure of the soil) and economic (level of development and specialization of industry and agriculture) factors. The lowest value of the anthropogenic impact (less than 7,5 t/ha per year) is characteristic for areas with underdeveloped industry and a high proportion of drained peat soils: Gantsevichi, Oktyabrsky, Narovlya and Zhitkovichi. For the western part of the Belarusian Polesye (Malorita, Stolin, Ivanovo, Berezovsky, Drogichin areas) other than large areas of sandy soils, characterized by increased loads on agropochvy (12,1 or more t/ha per year), the largest contribution falls on the organic fertilizers. Technogenic situation in the soils was estimated based on the amount of annual agrotechnogenic load on the soil, air emissions from stationary sources and the level of radioactive contamination, formed as a result of the Chernobyl accident. As a result, we allocated favorable, satisfactory, conflict, tension, and critical situation. Favorable technogenic situation is typical for soils under forests and within specially protected areas (national parks and nature reserves) with anthropogenic load of less than 1 t/ha, not contaminated and distant from industrial centers. Such conditions correspond to 15 % of the Belarusian Polesye near major rivers and their tributaries in the region (the area between the Dnieper and the Sozh, the middle flow for the Pripyat and its tributaries Sluch, Yaselda, Ubort). A satisfactory situation has developed for 28,5 % of the territory, mainly within the northern part of the Pripyat Polesye due to a moderate level of anthropogenic pressure, in part – in the border of forest and wetland areas due to contamination with radionuclides. The conflict situation is typical for the northern part of Brest and Mozyr Polesye, on the right bank of the Dnieper and Berezina rivers, as well as in the area between Pina and Goryn rivers (27,7 %). In the southern part of the Brest Polesye, as well as in the countryside and along the Goryn river valley there is a tense situation (22,2 %), due to high anthropogenic pressure and intensive agricultural activities, in the latter case – also complicated by radioactive contamination. Critical man-made situation (7 %), which is observed in the south-east of Polesye, is due to high levels of radioactive contamination within the Polesye State Radiation Ecological Reserve and adjacent areas, despite the relatively low levels of air and agrotechnogenic pollution.

scholarly journals Editorial of Special Issue “Advances in Groundwater Flow and Solute Transport: Pushing the Hidden Boundary”

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Hongbin Zhan ◽  
Quanrong Wang ◽  
Zhang Wen
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Chemical Transport ◽  
Low Permeability ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Flow And Transport ◽  
Wide Range

The theme of this special issue is to explore the new territories beyond conventional subsurface flow and transport theories. We have selected 12 articles in this special issue and these articles cover a wide range of problems including (1) Non-Fickian chemical transport in various environments; (2) Non-Darcian flow; (3) Flow and transport in low-permeability media; (4) Vadose zone process; (5) Regional scale groundwater flow and groundwater-surface interaction; (6) Innovative numerical methods. The major contributions of these papers are summarized in this editorial.

scholarly journals A New Conceptual Model for Slope-Infiltration

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Morbidelli ◽  
Corrado Corradini ◽  
Carla Saltalippi ◽  
Alessia Flammini ◽  
Jacopo Dari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Unsolved Problem ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Water Velocity ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Infiltration Process ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Steep Slopes

Rainfall infiltration modeling over surfaces with significant slopes is an unsolved problem. Even though water infiltration occurs over soil surfaces with noticeable gradients in most real situations, the typical mathematical models used were developed for infiltration over horizontal surfaces. In addition, recent investigations on infiltration over sloping surfaces have provided conflicting results, suggesting that our understanding of the process may still be lacking. In this study, our objective is to specifically examine if the surface water velocity that is negligible over near horizontal soil surfaces can affect the infiltration process over steep slopes. A new conceptual model representing a wide range of experimental results is proposed. The model represents water flow as an ensemble of infinitesimal “particles” characterized by specific velocities and assumes that only “particles” with velocity less than a threshold value can contribute to the infiltration process. The velocity distribution and the threshold value depend on slope and soil type, respectively. This conceptual model explains observed results and serves as a foundation for developing further experiments and refining models that offer more realistic representations of infiltration over sloping surfaces.

scholarly journals The sharks and rays of the Solomon Islands: a synthesis of their biological diversity, values and conservation status

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hylton ◽  
W. T. White ◽  
A. Chin
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Island States ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Wide Range

Sharks and rays are facing increasing anthropogenic pressure globally, including in the Pacific. However, data on their status and biodiversity are lacking for many Pacific Large Ocean Island States. This study aimed to construct a species checklist for the sharks and rays occurring in the Solomon Islands, review the human interactions with these species, and present a synthesis of their conservation status. Given the paucity of available data, a wide range of data sources were used including fisheries data, citizen science, and ethnobiological studies. Results were validated through a review process involving expert informants. Fifty sharks and rays were identified from the Solomon Islands, of which 20 are assessed as Vulnerable or Endangered on the IUCN Red List, 10 in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and 11 in the Convention for Migratory Species. The checklist also presents an eastwards range extension for the Endangered dwarf sawfish Pristis clavata. Fishing appears to be the main impact, though impacts from habitat loss and degradation are possible. This study provides a systematic synthesis and review of the biological diversity, uses, and cultural significance of Solomon Islands sharks and rays, and describes a process for assembling species checklists and reviews in data-poor contexts. However, this synthesis is based on limited information and a complete assessment of shark and ray status in the Solomon Islands will require primary fieldwork.

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