Upstream to downstream: stormwater quality in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

The focus of this research was upon consequences of urban stormwater runoff entering two streams in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Mayagüez is the largest urban area of the western side of the island of Puerto Rico and provides an excellent point of reference to monitor the affects of urban development on water quality in a tropical climate. The two monitored streams were Quebrada del Oro and Cano Majagual. The research hypothesis asks, "Does stormwater runoff from urban development measurably affect the water quality of downstream receiving water by raising the conductivity, temperature, and flow quantity characteristics during storm events in comparison to upstream water quality?" In essence, the results for Quebrada del Oro agreed with the hypothesis of this project, while Cano Majagual produced results different from the hypothesis primarily due to the absence of non-urbanized land use for both upstream and downstream sections as well as the buffering capacity of a large wetland just upstream of the downstream instrument location of Cano Majagual. Both streams showed signs of stream impairment according to the temperature criteria (32°C or 90°F) set by the Junta de Calidad Ambiental and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Dissolved oxygen levels of the streams were severely affected by water temperature and oxygen-consuming matter within these stream systems, making dissolved oxygen and temperature important water quality parameters for tropical climates.     

Water quality and heavy metal monitoring in water and sediment samples of the Küçükçekmece Lagoon, Turkey (2002–2003)

Physical and chemical parameters have been analyzed in water samples from a brackish water lagoon, Küçükçekmece, located on the western outskirts of Istanbul. Samples were collected every two months for a year from nine sampling stations. Of the parameters measured, temperature, pH, salinity, nitrate and phosphate showed changes when compared with the previously published data. The lagoon was found eutrophic as it was reported previously. Sulphate and COD levels were higher when compared with the standards established by the Turkish Water Pollution and Control Regulation. Additionally, concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in water and bottom sediments were measured and compared with the standards established by the Turkish Water Pollution and Control Regulation and with the previously published data. The results were analysed statistically with respect to location and any relationships between the concentration of the elements in corresponding water and sediment samples were examined. Principal Component Analysis of water samples allowed us to discriminate three areas affected mainly by heavy metal contamination, possibly due to industrial, commercial and/or urban activities. Generally, the concentrations of the heavy metals were higher at stations near the three estuaries, suggesting a direct influence of the three creeks on the pollution of the Küçükçekmece Lagoon. Although elevated levels of Cd were recorded in several water samples, it was not detected in sediment. On the other hand, a particularly high level of Cr pollution was recorded most of the water and sediment samples.     

Sediments as a potential tool for assessment of sewage pollution in Barigüi River, Brazil

Sediments constitute a pollutant trap and have proven to be an efficient tool to identify environmental impacts. Sediments are considered a very important means to assess the level of contamination of water bodies because of their ability to accumulate metals and organic. The anthropogenic inputs of sewage, with or without prior treatment, in aquatic environments, affect the geochemical composition of sediment. In addition, the sediment adsorbs hydrophobic compounds found in feces, such as the fecal sterols. The granulometric and geochemical composition of the sediment of Barigüi River-Brazil was investigated. The results show that silt and clay dominate the granulometric composition of the sediments. The geochemical composition of sediments showed high concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen. The Redfield ratios confirm the inputs of phosphorus and nitrogen. The TOC/N ratio was used to identify the source of pollution. N/TP ratios were found between 1.0 and 3.5. Clearly, an input of phosphorus, sewage is the most acceptable source, following the historic profile of the Barigüi River. High concentration of nitrogen phosphorus labels the area to be polluted by sewage. To confirm the sewage pollution, adsorbed fecal sterols in sediments were investigated. The concentration of total sterols was found between 0.86 and 304.58 μg g^???1. Two distinguished scenario was found, one severely polluted and another slightly polluted. The highest concentrations of total fecal sterols were associated with sediment whose geochemical composition showed higher levels of TOC, as well as higher proportions of silt and clay. Also, epicoprostanol, a coprostanol isomer, was used as an indicator of the level of treatment or age of the fecal matter because it is formed during the treatment of wastewater and sludge digestion. If the treatment of sludge takes a long time, epicoprostanol can form from cholesterol, and relative proportions of those compounds may be used as an indicator of the presence of untreated sewage in the sediments. The epicoprostanol was found in the range between 0.02 and 9.71 μg g^???1; concentration of up to 0.015 μg g^???1 represents situations where there is strong contamination by sewage. All sites investigated showed a concentration of epicoprostanol higher than the value adopted as threshold. The lower concentration of epicoprostanol found for all sites is consistent with the high concentration found for coprostanol, and this is typical for untreated sewage.     

Monitoring of water quality and assessment of organic pollution load in the nilüfer stream, Turkey

This article presents the results of an investigation carried out on the Nilüfer stream located in the southern part of Marmara region in Turkey 1999–2003. It evaluates water quality and proposes local requirements to prevent aquatic pollution problems. The study took into account the seasonal influences of point and non-point discharges on the organic pollution levels of the stream. The results indicated sub-standard water quality in most parts of the stream. Untreated domestic wastewaters, industrial discharges and agricultural activities contributed to the total annual organic loading. This study reveals the importance of construction, operation, maintenance and legislation of wastewater collection and treatment programmes, as well as the need for strict control of point and non-point nutrient loads for the preservation of the Nilüfer stream's water quality. Appropriate strategies for the control of point and non-point pollution sources, amendments and enforcement of legislation should be developed.     

Land quality assessment and sustainable land use in Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) specially protected area

Land quality assessment is of great important for decisions on sustainable land uses and the conservation of ecosystems of high biodiversity value. The main objective of this study was to determine properties of land quality of specially protected area of the Salt Lake using CORINE land quality assessment methodology and to propose a revision for this model. In addition to field study and laboratory analysis, digital soil map, digital elevation model, satellite image and climatic data were used and analyzed with remote sensing and geographic information systems techniques to generate actual land quality map and to form database for study area. Results show that 42.1% of the study area has high quality, 28.7% was classified as moderate quality and 4.0% was determined as low quality. On the other hand, some places classified as moderate quality, were not accurately classified. These places should be low land quality due to content of high salt concentration. Therefore, to resolve this insufficient situation, some soil parameters such as chemical properties should be collaborated with this model. In this case, moderate land quality level of the study area decreased from 28.7 to 12.3%, whereas 4.0% of low quality land of the study area increased to 20.8%. In addition, this research was also carried out to provide guidance for planner or decision makers about specially protected area of the Salt Lake.     

Epilithic diatom assemblages and their relationships with environmental variables in the Nilüfer Stream Basin,Bursa, Turkey

Patterns of epilithic diatom species distribution in relation to environmental variables from 12 sampling sites on the main stream and some of its tributaries in the Nilüfer Stream Basin were determined using multivariate statistical techniques. The stream basin has been heavily influenced by anthropogenic effects. The upper part of the basin that is distant from pollution sources mostly has a spring water quality, while the lower part where the stream flows through the urban area and receives domestic and industrial wastewater has a quite low quality. Ordination techniques using both diatom taxa and 21 environmental variables revealed non- to slightly polluted upper basin sites and highly polluted lower basin sites along the stream. The results showed that the stream catchment is polluted gradually from upstream to downstream and that most of the downstream sites have very low water quality especially in summer months. A total of 134 epilithic diatom taxa belonging to 50 genera were recorded for 12 sample sites. Partial CCA results indicated that water temperature (T), discharge (Q), and total phosphorus (TP) were the most important variables affecting the distribution of diatom species. Unpolluted or slightly polluted upper basin sites were dominated by Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta, Gomphonema olivaceum, and Navicula tripunctata. Highly polluted lower basin sites were characterized by high levels of organic and inorganic matters and low dissolved oxygen (DO) values. Species widespread in the highly polluted lower basin sites such as Nitzschia umbonata, Nitzschia amphibia, Nitzschia capitellata, Nitzschia palea, Nitzschia paleacea, Luticola mutica, and Stephanodiscus niagarae were mostly related to pollution indicator variables such as ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺–N), sodium (Na⁺), total phosphorus (TP), and total organic matter (TOM).     

Heavy metal concentrations in two barb, Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus from Atatürk Dam Lake, Turkey

Concentration of some heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in muscle, liver, kidney and gill of two barb, Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus, which have great economic values, in the Atatürk Dam Lake (Turkey). Heavy metal levels in fish samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP/OES). Heavy metal concentrations vary significantly, depending on the type of the tissue in fish species. The metal accumulation in the liver, kidney and gill of Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus was found to be quite high in comparison with that in the muscle. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in muscle tissues of Barbus xanthopterus were as follows: Co, 0.09; Cr, 0.12; Cu, 0.27; Fe, 5.26; Mn, 0.20; Ni, 0.08; Pb, 0.68; Zn, 1.39, whereas in muscle tissues of Barbus rajanorum mystaceus were as follows: Co, 0.11; Cr, 0.10; Cu, 1.07; Fe, 3.97; Mn, 019; Ni, 0.04; Pb, 0.66; Zn, 1.70 microg/g wet weight. Cd levels in gill and muscle tissues were below detection limits. All metal levels detected in tissues were safe for human consumption and within the limits for fish proposed by FAO/ WHO, EU and Turkish Food Codes.     

The comparison of heavy metal accumulation ratios of some fish species in Enne Dame Lake (Kütahya/Turkey)

The metal accumulation levels for muscle, skin, gill, liver and intestine tissues of some Cyprinidae species (Carassius carassius, Condrostoma nasus, Leuciscus cephalus and Alburnus alburnus) in Enne Dame Lake (Kütahya/Turkey), which is mostly fed by hot spring waters, were investigated. Analyses were performed for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr) and boron (B) using inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and cadmium (Cd) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) utilizing microwave digestion techniques. The concentrations of the heavy metals found in the fish varied in the follow ing ranges: Cu: < DL-7.04, Zn: 6.96-357.25, Mn: < DL-20.70, Ni: < DL-6.21, Fe: 9.62-2500.33, Cr: < DL-1.74, Co: < DL-0.54, Cd: 0.01-0.27 and Mg: 197.44-904.90 mg/kg wet weight. While B had the second highest concentration in the water of the lake, it was not encountered in any tissue of the investigated species. In all tissues and the species, While the bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu were remarkably high, the BAFs of Mg, Cr, Co, and B were also fairly low or none. Although the heavy metal accumulation levels for the muscle were generally lower than other tissues, there were some exceptions. Cd level in the muscle of C. carassius was higher than the permissible limit stated by Turkish legislation, FAO and WHO. The mean metal amounts for all the investigated tissues and species are statistically compared and discussed in this study.     

Nitrogen and metals in two regions in Central Europe: Significant differences in accumulation in mosses due to land use?

The study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the regional variability of nitrogen (N) and metal accumulations in terrestrial ecosystems are due to historical and recent ways of landuse. To this end, two regions of Central Europe were selected for investigation: the Weser-Ems Region (WER) and the Euro Region Nissa (ERN). They were assumed to have land use-specific accumulation profiles. Thus, the metal and N accumulations in both regions were examined by means of geostatistically based comparative moss analysis. The sampling and chemical analysis of mosses were conducted in accordance with the convenient guidelines and methods, respectively. The spatial representativity of the sampling sites was computed by means of a land classification which was calculated for Europe by means of classification trees and GIS-techniques. The differences of deposition loads were tested for statistical significance with regard to time and space. The measurement values corroborated the decline of metal accumulation observed since the beginning of the European Metals in Mosses Surveys in 1990. The metal loads of the mosses in the ERN exceeded those in the WER significantly. The opposite holds true for the N concentrations: those in the WER were significantly higher than those in the ERN. The reduction of emissions from power plants, factories and houses was strongly correlated with the decline of deposition and bioaccumulation of metals. As proved by the European Metals in Mosses Surveys, this tendency is due to successful environmental policies. But no such success could be verified by monitoring the accumulation of N in mosses.     

Handling of Astyanax sp. for biomonitoring in Cangüiri Farm within a fountainhead (Iraí River Environment Preservation Area) through the use of genetic biomarkers

Aquatic environmental pollution may cause biodiversity loss. Thus, monitoring studies are very important because fish health reflects both quality and sustainability of the environment, as well as of the individuals that live there. In the present report, genetic biomarkers (piscine micronucleus test; comet assay with blood, liver, and kidney cells) were used in specimens of Astyanax sp. to analyze the contamination level of the Cangüiri Farm through biomonitoring. The Cangüiri Farm, the old school farm of the Federal University of Paraná, is inside the Iraí River Environment Preservation Area, created in 1996 to preserve the sources of public water supply in Curitiba and metropolitan area. We verified that the fishes collected within the Cangüiri Farm area presented high damage levels, showing more environment contamination when compared to the specimens collected in the Costa Ecologic Park, used as reference in the present report. The results indicate that the Cangüiri Farm, which is inside an environment protection area, created especially for the protection of the fountainhead for water supply, may be contaminated. These toxic residues, which were remarkably persistent in the environment, are possibly derived from agricultural activities in the wider area. Thus, we suggest the analysis of the area with other biomarkers and for a longer time period.     

Lead in grass in the Scottish uplands: deposition or uptake?

If it is assumed that the Pb collected in grass samples is derived mainly from atmospheric deposition then grass samples can be used as a convenient and easily analysed monitor for Pb deposition, in particular to establish the isotopic composition of current deposition in remote locations. As some studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between soil and grass Pb concentrations, it was considered important to establish the proportion of soil Pb in the grasses used to monitor atmospheric deposition at upland locations in Scotland. Consideration of earlier studies provided evidence that very little, if any, Pb in grass was derived from soil. Lead isotope analysis, by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry, of grasses grown on soils spiked with enriched (207)Pb in the field situation allowed the relative contribution of atmospheric deposition and soil to the grass Pb to be calculated. In most cases, >80% of Pb in grass was derived from atmospheric deposition and in recent years this value was >90%. Recalculation of the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in grass samples showed that there was very little error in the results, published previously, which were based on the assumption that all the Pb collected with grass was derived from the atmosphere. The trends established by measuring the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in grasses were confirmed and remain valid.     

Confronting reality in strategic environmental assessment in Slovenia — Costs and benefits

We enlarge on the viewpoint published in the Environmental Impact Assessment Review in 2012 — A viewpoint on the approval context of strategic environmental assessments. Additional alerts concerning the procedural ineffectiveness of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process from the cost–benefit point of view are advanced. The major contribution to the long lasting, costly SEA processes, comes from ultraistic treatment of Natura 2000.The case study deals with a plan for constructing a traffic bypass around Škofljica, a town near Ljubljana. Based on their conclusions the authors propose that the following elements of the SEA procedure should be improved and optimised:

• –CBA for SEA should become a regular component when measuring its effectiveness.
• –Concretisation of expected SEA inputs to the plan should clarify its role at the earliest stage of the process.
• –SEA should contribute interactively to the optimisation of alternatives; cost–benefit analysis of the SEA process could support this process.
• –Nature protection interest should be confronted and balanced with wider development interests as formulated in the plan and should not be applied in absolute terms (e.g. Natura 2000).

     

Determination of Heavy Metals in Honey in Kahramanmaraş City, Turkey

Heavy metals in honey are of interest not only for quality control, but also for determination environmental contamination. The objective of this work was to determine distribution of the levels of selected heavy metals. Levels of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg) and nickel (Ni) in honey samples (21) in Kahramanmaraş region were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The mean values for Cu, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Mg were 0.01, 0.32, 0.03, 0.36 and 10.45 ppm, respectively. Nickel was not detected in honey samples. Kahramanmaraş honey samples were not free of heavy metals but the levels of them were found well below the permitted levels. The results suggested that honey may be useful for assessing the presence of environmental contaminants.     

Physicochemical methods for monitoring seasonal variations in Cl–, F–, and Fe++ in underground water in Unnao District in Uttar Pradesh (India)

The variations of Cl^???, F^???, and Fe^?+?+? in the underground water during pre- and post-monsoon periods for 2003 have been examined, for two places in Unnao district, by argentrometric titration method (Sodic Land Reclamation Project Uttar Pradesh 1998) and atomic absorption spectrometry (Sodic Land Reclamation Project Uttar Pradesh 1998). The concentration of these ions falls outside the limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO 1984).     

Pesticide residues in sediments and aquatic species in Lake Nokoué and Cotonou Lagoon in the Republic of Bénin

Lake Nokoué and Cotonou Lagoon are the most important and most productive continental freshwaters in Bénin, with an estimated fish production of over 2 tonnes per hectare in Lake Nokoué. Organochlorine pesticides are used in agriculture and to repel tsetse flies, malaria mosquitoes and other diseases raised. Sediment, fish, shrimp and oyster species were collected in Lake Nokoué and Cotonou Lagoon for pesticide residues analysis. The main pesticides identified in sediment were pp′-DDT and its metabolites pp-DDE and pp′-DDD, with residue levels between the detection limit and 24.4 μg/kg dry weight. Fish species commonly consumed such as Elops lacerta, Podamasys jubelini, Gobbienellus occidentalis, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Mugil cephalus and Hemichromis fasciatus were contaminated with residues of seven to nine pesticides, including pp-DDE, op′-DDD, pp′-DDD, op′-DDT, pp′-DDT, α-endosulfan, aldrin, dieldrin and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane. The levels ranged from detection limit to 289 ng/g lipid. The same pesticides were also detected in other aquatic species, such as shrimp and oysters. A summed risk assessment, comparing pesticide intake levels through fish consumption with tolerable daily intake levels proposed by the World Health Organization, showed in all cases a low risk for human health.     

Evaluation of disinfectants in order to eliminate fungal contamination in computer keyboards of an integrated health center in Piauí, Brazil

This quantitative and qualitative study aimed to evaluate the level of fungal contamination in computer keyboards from an Integrated Health Center (IHC) at Piauí, Brazil, and to evaluate the efficacy of 50% sodium bicarbonate and 50% alcoholic vinegar solutions to eliminate these microorganisms. Ten keyboards from six sectors of the IHC were chosen randomly, and the collection was performed in three situations: (i) before of disinfection, (ii) after disinfection with solution of sodium bicarbonate, and (iii) after disinfection with solution of alcoholic vinegar. Samples were inoculated in Petri dishes with dextrose agar potato plus chloramphenicol and incubated at room temperature for 72 h. All keyboards were contaminated with opportunistic fungi, with Cladosporium cladosporioides (29.4%) being the most frequent species, followed by Curvularia lunata (17.6%) and Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Curvularia clavata with 11.8% each. The two solutions were proven to be efficient in eliminating fungal contamination; however, the sodium bicarbonate solution caused esthetic damages in keyboards. In addition, this study is the first report of the antifungal activity of alcoholic vinegar in filamentous fungi. Based on our findings, we suggest a daily disinfection of keyboards with a 50% vinegar solution plus adequate hygiene from the hands of professionals before and after the use of the computer and its annexes, as key actions to reduce nosocomial infections, particularly in economically disadvantaged countries.