Water quality and recreational use of public waterways. ESRI Research Bulletin 2017/06

Approximately half of the adult population participate in some form of water-based activity every year, across activities such as angling, boating, swimming, and water sports. Prior research from 2003 suggests that water-based tourism accounted for 22 per cent of the domestic tourism market and generated 45 per cent of domestic tourism revenue, all of which is underpinned by Ireland’s marine and freshwater resources. The Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent State of the Environment report notes that while the quality of Ireland’s surface waters is among the best in Europe improvements are still needed and insufficient progress is being made. Over the past six years there was no improvement in quality of river, transitional and coastal waters, while lake water quality has got slightly worse. This research examines how recreational activity is impacted by changes in water quality

Waters Carrying Capacity for Development of Seaweed Culture of Eucheuma Cottonii in Luwu and Palopo Districts, Bone Bay, South Sulawesi

In seaweed Eucheuma cottonii cultures, a water carrying capacity is an important factor to optimize the seaweed culture. Carrying capacity can be determined by an ecological footprint production (EFp) analysis. This research was conducted in May 2015 (1st transitional season) and September 2015 (2nd transitional season) in Luwu and Palopo distircts, South Sulawesi. Map and land use were analyzed using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). The result showed that the ecological foot-print production (EFP) in Luwu waters was 67.88 ton/capita/year or equivalent to 235,823.93 tons/ year. However, based on the analysis of the water availability for seaweed was 59,781.79 hectares, it can produce seaweed (biocapacity) for 1,437,779.60 tons/year and the number of farmers that allows for use the waters is 21,432 capita. The ecological footprint production (EFp) in Palopo waters is 3.08 ton/capita/year, or equivalent to 4,589.99 tons/year. Water availability analysis is 1,771. 41 hectares are able to produce seaweed (biocapacity) for 18,287.46 ton/year and the number of far-mers that allows for use the waters is 635 farmers capita. The results comparison between biocapa-ci-ty and ecological footprint, ecological status for Luwu and Palopo waters are still in sustainable use

Water quality evaluation in Mediterranean Lagoons using the Multimetric Phytoplankton Index (MPI): study cases from Sardinia

1 - Water quality in four Sardinian lagoons (western Mediterranean Sea) was assessed using the Multimetric Phytoplankton Index (MPI), which is consistent with the EU Water Framework Directive. The index was developed using data on phytoplankton abundances, species structure and chlorophyll a concentrations in Venice Lagoon, Italy. 2 - The aim of this study was to test the MPI on a larger geographical scale and across a range of lagoon types. Therefore, it was applied to assess water quality in the Cabras, S’Ena Arrubia, Santa Giusta and Calich lagoons in Sardinia. These lagoons are all “choked”, but exhibit a range of sizes and morphometric features. They are directly affected by human activity within the lagoons themselves, such as fisheries, aquaculture and the construction of dams and canals, and are indirectly affected by anthropogenic activities in their catchments, including intensive agriculture, industrial activity and urban development. 3 - The data used in the present study were collected monthly over a period of 4 years (Calich, Santa Giusta and S’Ena Arrubia) to 7 years (Cabras). Samples were collected at three stations at each of the Cabras, Santa Giusta and Calich lagoons, and at two stations at the S’Ena Arrubia Lagoon, providing a total of 220 samples. 4 - The water quality in three of the four lagoons investigated (Cabras, S’Ena Arrubia and Calich) was classified as bad using the MPI. Among these three, water in Cabras Lagoon exhibited the worst condition. Water quality in Santa Giusta Lagoon was classified as poor using the MPI. 5 - Although we present preliminary results that require further verification, the index appears to be a useful tool for assessing the ecological status of typical Mediterranean lagoons

Bayesian analysis of the multivariate dependence of three transition water ecosystem classifications

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) recognizes benthic macroinvertebrates as a good biological quality element for transitional waters as they are the most exposed to natural variability patterns characteristic of these ecosystems, due to their life cycles and space-use behavior. Here, we address the ecological status classification issue for three lagoons in Apulia, using benthic macroinvertebrates and three proposed multimetric indices (namely M-AMBI, BITS and ISS), likely to respond differently to different sources of stress and natural variability. Lagoon classification is based on discretization by standard classification boundaries with only partial consideration of the natural variability of ecosystem properties and possible inaccuracies of the classification procedures. In order to investigate the possible contrasting behavior of the three classifications, we propose Bayesian hierarchical models in which the multimetric indices and their discrete counterparts are jointly modeled as function of abiotic covariates, external anthropogenic pressures indicators and spatio-temporal effects

Effects of temperature on the biology of the northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, in the Gulf of Maine

Length-frequency data collected from inshore and offshore locations in the Gulf of Maine in 1966-1968 indicated that ovigerous female northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) first appeared offshore in August and September and migrated inshore in the fall and winter. Once eggs hatched, surviving females returned offshore. Juveniles and males migrated offshore during their first two years of life. Sex transition occurred in both inshore and oll'shore waters, but most males changed sex offshore during their third and fourth years. Most shrimp changed sex and matured as females for the first time in their fourth year. Smaller females and females exposed to colder bottom temperatures spawned first. The incidence of egg parasitism peaked in January and was higher for shrimp exposed to warmer bottom temperatures. Accelerated growth at higher temperatures appeared to result in earlier or more rapid sex transition. Males and non-ovigerous females were observed to make diurnal vertical migrations, but were not found in near- surface waters where the temperature exceeded 6°C. Ovigerous females fed more heavily on benthic molluscs in inshore waters in the winter, presumably because the egg masses they were carrying prevented them from migrating vertically at night. Northern shrimp were more abundant in the southwestern region of the Gulf of Maine where bottom temperatures remain low throughout the year. Bottom trawl catch rates were highest in Jeffreys Basin where bottom temperatures were lower than at any other sampling location. Catch rates throughout the study area were inversely related to bottom temperature and reached a maximum at 3°C. An increase of 40% in fecundity between 1973 and 1979 was associated with a decline of 2-3°C in April-July offshore bottom temperatures. Furthermore, a decrease in mean fecundity per 25 mm female between 1965 and 1970 was linearly related to reduced landings between 1969 and 1974. It is hypothesized that temperature-induced changes in fecundity and, possibly, in the extent of egg mortality due to parasitism, may provide a mechanism which could partially account for changes in the size of the Gulf of Maine northern shrimp population during the last thirty years. (PDF file contains 28 pages.

Location and sizes of forsterite grains in protoplanetary disks: interpretation from the Herschel DIGIT programme

The spectra of protoplanetary disks contain mid- and far- infrared emission features produced by forsterite dust grains. The spectral features contain information about the forsterite temperature, chemical composition and grain size. We aim to characterize how the 23 and 69 micron features can be used to constrain the physical locations of forsterite in disks. We check for consistency between two independent forsterite temperature measurements: the 23/69 feature strength ratio and the shape of the 69 micron band. We performed radiative transfer modeling to study the effect of disk properties to the forsterite spectral features. Temperature-dependent forsterite opacities were considered in self-consistent models to compute forsterite emission from protoplanetary disks. Modelling grids are presented to study the effects of grain size, disk gaps, radial mixing and optical depth to the forsterite features. Independent temperature estimates derived from the 23/69 feature strength ratio and the 69 micron band shape are most inconsistent for HD141569 and Oph IRS 48. A case study of the disk of HD141569 shows two solutions to fit the forsterite spectrum. A model with T ~ 40 K, iron-rich (~0-1 % Fe) and 1 micron forsterite grains, and a model with warmer (T ~ 100 K), iron-free, and larger (10 micron) grains. We find that for disks with low upper limits of the 69 micron feature (most notably in flat, self-shadowed disks), the forsterite must be hot, and thus close to the star. We find no correlation between disk gaps and the presence or absence of forsterite features. We argue that the 69 micron feature of the evolved transitional disks HD141569 and Oph IRS 48 is most likely a tracer of larger (i.e. ~10 micron) forsterite grains.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 14 pages, 9 figure

Anthropic pressures on Nature 2000 Sites: recommendations and monitoring criteria for the pollution emergency response activities within the Orbetello lagoon

L’elevato valore naturalistico e socioeconomico di un Sito Natura 2000 richiede che tutte le attività antropiche che si svolgono al suo interno (es. pesca, turismo, trasporti, attività industriali, etc.) siano gestite in maniera tale da non pregiudicare le specie e gli habitat per i quali l’area è stata designata. Molti di questi Siti sono ambienti di transizione, ovvero zone che costituiscono il passaggio naturale tra terra e mare. La loro posizione di interfaccia tra questi due ambienti li rende ecosistemi unici e biologicamente molto produttivi, sede di meccanismi di regolazione dei processi interattivi della biosfera nelle due fasi, terrestre e marina. In alcuni Siti la presenza di attività antropiche diffuse e prolungate nel tempo ha portato al riscontro di stati di contaminazione elevata, fino all’inclusione di queste zone, o parti di esse, tra i Siti di bonifica di Interesse Nazionale (SIN). Il presente lavoro descrive le linee di indirizzo e le attività di monitoraggio da attuare per la salvaguardia della salute pubblica e dell’ambiente nel corso degli interventi di messa in sicurezza di emergenza predisposti nell’area lagunare antistante l’area industriale Ex Sitoco, all’interno della perimetrazione del SIN di Orbetello, incluso in un Sito di Importanza Comunitaria. Le matrici ambientali potenzialmente a rischio a causa dell’esecuzione di tali interventi sono: acqua, sedimento, biocenosi acquatiche, avifauna, uomo. È altresì importante valutare gli effetti che le ipotetiche modifiche su microscala, apportate a livello di ogni matrice, potrebbero causare nel lungo periodo su macroscala.The high naturalistic and socio-economic value of Natura 2000 sites requires that all human activities performed within their borders (e.g. fishing, tourism, transports, industrial activities) are regulated. Indeed, the site management should assure the effective safeguard of all species and habitats of European interest included in the protected area. A lot of such sites are located in transitional environments, that are areas characterised by a natural progression from the terrestrial to the water environments. Such environments include unique and very productive habitats, and they represent the regulation mechanisms of the interactive processes of the terrestrial and marine biosphere. In some sites, the presence of human activities that are distributed both in space and time has led to high levels of contamination, that in some cases even required their inclusion in Reclamation Sites of National Interest (SIN). The present study describes the planning and monitoring activities to be performed in order to safeguard human and environment health during the actions of MISE in the lagoonal area in front of the industrial area Ex Sitoco, within the borders of the Orbetello SIN, included in a SCI. The environmental parameters that are potentially at risk due to such activities are: water, sediment, water biocenosis, birds, humans. Furthermore, it is important to evaluate the effects that potential variations at the microscale level may cause at the macroscale level

Distribution of Oikopleura Dioica (Tunicata, Appendicularia) associated with a coastal frontal system (39°- 41°s) of the SW Atlantic ocean in the spawning area of Engraulis Anchoita anchovy

Among tunicates, the small planktonic appendicularians generally comprise a significant fraction of the mesozooplankton in frontal systems. The summer 2011 distribution (vertical and spatial) of Oikopleura dioica was studied in terms of abundance, biomass, estimation of egg production and population structure in the different sectors of the El Rincón coastal front, in the light of thermal and salinity gradients. Peaks of abundance of Engraulis anchoita larvae were compared to O. dioica patterns. Samples were collected with plankton nets of 67 µm and 200 µm at two layers, below and above the thermocline depth. CTD data profiles were also recorded. During this campaign high salinity waters were predominant in the estuarine area. Conversely, a thermal stratification was found, being more marked at the external stations of the front where the highest densities and biomass of O. dioica coincided with the highest E. anchoita larvae densities. The size structure of O. dioica was also associated with the thermal gradient. The smaller sizes were found in the homogeneous area at the coast where the temperature was higher around 22ºC. This front constitutes a suitable environment for O. dioica reproduction enhancing the survival rate and growth of several small pelagic fishes such as E. anchoita.Entre os tunicados, as pequenas apendiculárias planctônicas geralmente compreendem uma fração significativa do mesozooplâncton nos sistemas frontais. Foi estudada a distribuição (vertical e espacial) durante o verão de 2011 de Oikopleura dioica, em termos de abundância, biomassa, estimativa da produção de ovos e estrutura da população em diferentes setores da frente costeiro de El Rincón, segundo os gradientes de temperatura e salinidade. Picos de abundância de larvas de Engraulis anchoita foram comparados com os padrões de O. dioica. As amostras foram coletadas com redes planctônicas de 67 e 200 µm em duas profundidades, acima e abaixo da termoclina. Também foram registrados perfis de dados obtidos com CTD. Durante essa campanha, aguas de alta salinidade foram predominantes na área estuarina. No entanto, foi encontrada uma estratificação térmica, sendo mais acentuado nas estações externas da frente, onde as maiores densidades e biomassa de O. dioica foram registradas, coincidindo também com as maiores densidades de larvas de E. anchoita. A distribuição de tamanhos de O. dioica também foi associada ao gradiente térmico. Os menores tamanhos foram encontrados na região mais homogênea da costa, onde a temperatura apresentou cerca de 22ºC. Essa frente é um ambiente propício para a reprodução de O. dioica o que favorece também o aumento da sobrevivência e o crescimento de muitas espécies de pequenos peixes pelágicos, tais como E. anchoita.Fil: Spinelli, Mariela Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Guerrero, Raul Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Subsede Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Pajaro, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Subsede Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Capitanio, Fabiana Lia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentin

The EC Water Framework Directive and its implications for the Environment Agency

The bulk of the European Community's water policy legislation was developed between the mid 1970s and the early 1990s. These directives addressed specific substances, sources, uses or processes but caused problems with differing methods definitions and aims. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to resolve the piecemeal approach. The Environemnt Agency (EA) welcomes and supported the overall objective of establishing a coherent legislative framework. The EA has been discussing the implications of the WFD with European partners and has developed a timetable for the implementation and a special team will commission necessary research