Microwave radiometry in monitoring and emergency mapping of water seepage and dangerously high groundwaters, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2007, nr 1

Detailed and geo-referenced maps identifying the locations of saturated and dry levees can be produced using microwave radiometric measurements from a light aircraft or helicopter, and integrated with GPS for positioning and orientation. The development of synergetic remote sensing technology for raised groundwater and seepage detection by the joint use of microwave and optical data along with GIS databases is an effective and most contemporary way of supporting risk assessment and facilitating disaster prevention and management. In this paper we present a remote sensing microwave technology for monitoring and detection of areas of water seepage through irrigation constructions, levees and dykes as well as for revealing areas with dangerously high groundwater level. The possibility for emergency response mapping, integrated with GPS and GIS data, facilitates the risk assessment and management services. The passive microwave radiometry (PMR) is based on spectral measurements in the millimetre to decimetre range of wavelengths. Compared to other remote sensing techniques, such as colour and infrared photography, thermal images and lidar, PMR is the only technology taking measurements under the earth’s surface and therefore is very well suited for water seepage and underground water monitoring in a fast and reliable way

A strategy for successful integration of DNA-based methods in aquatic monitoring

Recent advances in molecular biomonitoring open new horizons for aquatic ecosystem assessment. Rapid and cost-effective methods based on organismal DNA or environmental DNA (eDNA) now offer the opportunity to produce inventories of indicator taxa that can subsequently be used to assess biodiversity and ecological quality. However, the integration of these new DNA-based methods into current monitoring practices is not straightforward, and will require coordinated actions in the coming years at national and international levels. To plan and stimulate such an integration, the European network DNAqua-Net (COST Action CA15219) brought together international experts from academia, as well as key environmental biomonitoring stakeholders from different European countries. Together, this transdisciplinary consortium developed a roadmap for implementing DNA-based methods with a focus on inland waters assessed by the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). This was done through a series of online workshops held in April 2020, which included fifty participants, followed by extensive synthesis work. The roadmap is organised around six objectives: 1) to highlight the effectiveness and benefits of DNA-based methods, 2) develop an adaptive approach for the implementation of new methods, 3) provide guidelines and standards for best practice, 4) engage stakeholders and ensure effective knowledge transfer, 5) support the environmental biomonitoring sector to achieve the required changes, 6) steer the process and harmonise efforts at the European level. This paper provides an overview of the forum discussions and the common European views that have emerged from them, while reflecting the diversity of situations in different countries. It highlights important actions required for a successful implementation of DNA-based biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems by 2030