scholarly journals Can mussels be used as sentinel organisms for characterization of pollution in urban water systems?

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 2679-2689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke S. Reichwaldt ◽  
Anas Ghadouani
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Organic Nitrate ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽  
Urban Water Systems ◽  
Sentinel Organisms

Abstract. Urbanization strongly impacts aquatic ecosystems by decreasing water quality and altering water cycles. Today, much effort is put towards the restoration and conservation of urban waterbodies to enhance ecosystem service provision, leading to liveable and sustainable cities. To enable a sustainable management of waterbodies, the quantification of the temporal and spatial variability of pollution levels and biogeochemical processes is essential. Stable isotopes have widely been used to identify sources of pollution in ecosystems. For example, increased nitrogen levels in waterbodies are often accompanied with a higher nitrogen stable isotope signature (δ15N), which can then be detected in higher trophic levels such as mussels. The main aim of this study was to assess the suitability of nitrogen stable isotopes as measured in mussels (Mytilus edulis), as an indicator able to resolve spatial and temporal variability of nitrogen pollution in an urban, tidally influenced estuary (Swan River estuary in Western Australia). Nitrogen concentrations were generally low and nitrogen stable isotope values of nitrate throughout the estuary were well within natural values of uncontaminated groundwater, organic nitrate from soils, or marine-derived sources, indicating groundwater inflow rather than pollution by human activity was responsible for differences between sites. The δ15N signature in mussels was very stable over time within each site which indicated that mussels can be used as time-integrated sentinel organisms in urban systems. In addition, our study shows that the nature of the relationship between δ15N in the mussels and the nitrate in the water can provide insights into site-specific biogeochemical transformation of nutrients. We suggest that mussels and other sentinel organisms can become a robust tool for the detection and characterization of the dynamics of a number of emerging anthropogenic pollutants of concern in urban water systems.

scholarly journals Can mussels be used as sentinel organisms for characterisation of pollution in urban water systems?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke S. Reichwaldt ◽  
Anas Ghadouani
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽  
Isotope Signature ◽  
Stable Isotope Signature ◽  
Urban Water Systems ◽  
Sentinel Organisms

Abstract. Urbanisation strongly impacts aquatic ecosystems by decreasing water quality and altering water cycles. Today, much effort is put towards the restoration and conservation of urban waterbodies to enhance ecosystem service provision leading to liveable and sustainable cities. To enable a sustainable management of waterbodies, the quantification of the temporal and spatial variability of pollution levels and biogeochemical processes is essential. Stable isotopes have widely been used to identify sources of pollution in ecosystems. For example, increased nitrogen levels in waterbodies are often accompanied with a higher nitrogen stable isotope signature (δ15N), which can then be detected in higher trophic levels such as mussels. The main aim of this study was to assess the suitability of nitrogen stable isotope as measured in mussels, as an indicator able to resolve spatial and temporal variability of nutrient pollution in an urban, tidally influenced estuary (Swan River estuary; Western Australia). Our results showed a trend by which sites with higher nitrates concentrations yielded higher nitrate δ15N values; however, nitrogen concentrations and nitrogen stable isotope signature of nitrate throughout the estuary were well within natural values, indicating groundwater inflow rather than pollution by human activity was responsible for differences between sites. The δ15N signature in mussels was very stable over time within each site which allowed for the detection of spatial difference and indicated that mussels can be used as time-integrated sentinel organism in urban systems. In addition, our study indicates that the nature of the relationship between δ15N in the mussels and the nitrate in the water can provide insights into site specific biogeochemical transformation of nutrients. We suggest that mussels and other sentinel organisms can become a robust tool for the detection and characterization of the dynamics of a number of emerging anthropogenic pollutants of concern in urban water systems.

scholarly journals MUWS (Microbiology in Urban Water Systems) – an interdisciplinary approach to study microbial communities in urban water systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Deines ◽  
R. Sekar ◽  
H. S. Jensen ◽  
S. Tait ◽  
J. B. Boxall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Ecology ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Infrastructure Systems ◽  
Urban Water Systems ◽  
Sewer Networks

Abstract. Microbiology in Urban Water Systems (MUWS) is an integrated project, which aims to characterize the microorganisms found in both potable water distribution systems and sewer networks. These large infrastructure systems have a major impact on our quality of life, and despite the importance of these systems as major components of the water cycle, little is known about their microbial ecology. Potable water distribution systems and sewer networks are both large, highly interconnected, dynamic, subject to time and varying inputs and demands, and difficult to control. Their performance also faces increasing loading due to increasing urbanization and longer-term environmental changes. Therefore, understanding the link between microbial ecology and any potential impacts on short or long-term engineering performance within urban water infrastructure systems is important. By combining the strengths and research expertise of civil-, biochemical engineers and molecular microbial ecologists, we ultimately aim to link microbial community abundance, diversity and function to physical and engineering variables so that novel insights into the performance and management of both water distribution systems and sewer networks can be explored. By presenting the details and principals behind the molecular microbiological techniques that we use, this paper demonstrates the potential of an integrated approach to better understand how urban water system function, and so meet future challenges.

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