Coastal lands around Bay of Bengal in Central Godavari Delta are mainly agriculture fields and two times annually paddy crops putting in the study area. Canals of Godavari River are the main source of water for irrigation. Geophysical and geochemical investigations were carried out in the study area to decipher subsurface geologic formation and assessing seawater intrusion. Electrical resistivity tomographic surveys carried out in the watershed-indicated low resistivity formation in the upstream area due to the presence of thick marine clays up to thickness of 20–25 m from the surface. Secondly, the lowering of resistivity may be due to the encroachment of seawater in to freshwater zones and infiltration during tidal fluctuation through mainly the Pikaleru drain, and to some extent rarely through Kannvaram and Vasalatippa drains in the downstream area. Groundwater quality analyses were made for major ions revealed brackish nature of groundwater water at shallow depth. The in situ salinity of groundwater is around 5,000 mg/l and there is no groundwater withdrawal for irrigation or drinking purpose in this area except Cairn energy pumping wells which is using for inject brackish water into the oil wells for easy exploration of oil. Chemical analyses of groundwater samples have indicated the range of salt concentrations and correlation of geophysical and borehole litholog data in the study area predicting seawater-contaminated zones and influence of in situ salinity in the upstream of study area. The article suggested further studies and research work that can lead to sustainable exploitation/use and management of groundwater resources in coastal areas.

The present paper aims at planning the treated municipal wastewater reuse in fragile ecosystems of Messolonghion lagoon and Acheloos estuary, which are protected as a Natura wetland under the Ramsar Treaty. The need for environmental protection of the wetlands became necessary due to the continuing anthropogenic intervention, as well as to the climate changes that have been occurring in recent years. Relevant studies have shown that the lagoon of Messolonghion and Acheloos estuary are ecosystems that have been burdened by anthropogenic activities (pesticides, fertilizers, overexploitation of underground aquifers, intrusion and land use change), as well as by climatic changes (temperature, precipitation, sea level), which altogether have adversely affected the hydrodynamic and ecological balance of the entire ecosystem. The Messolonghion lagoon and Acheloos estuary are also the recipients of the wastewater processing plant effluents, operating locally, which have over-enriched the waters with macronutrients N, P and K, favouring eutrophication. The municipal wastewater reuse for crop irrigation grown in the protected area appears to be an environmentally acceptable solution for alleviating the natural water shortage, since it could save significant amounts of irrigation water as well as it could reduce the adverse effects of the treated effluents discharge into the aquatic ecosystem. This study describes the planning of the treated wastewater reuse in this ecologically sensitive area, on the basis of the geomorphologic and geotechnical characteristics, climatic factors, and crop irrigation water requirements grown in the area.

In this study, using high-power low-frequency ultrasound, heated slurries with anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were treated to enhance desorption of DDT from soils with high clay, silt, and organic matter content and different pH (5.6–8.4). The results were compared with DDT extracted using a strong solvent combination as reference. Slurry ranges from 5 to 20 wt.% were studied. For a soil slurry (10 wt.%) at pH 6.9 with 0.1% v/v SDS surfactant heated to 40°C for 30 min, desorption was above 80% in 30 s using 20 kHz, 932 W/L ultrasonic intensity without solvent extraction. Other soils gave lower desorption efficiency in the range 40–60% after 30 s ultrasonic treatment. The percentage of organic matter, dissolved organic carbon, soil surface area, clay and silt percentage, and soil pH level were the key parameters influencing variations in desorption of DDT in the three soils in similar experimental conditions. DDT dissolution in SDS and soil organic matter removal employing the ultrasonic-enhanced organic matter roll-up mechanism emerged as the two best possible methods of DDT desorption. The method offers a practical, potentially low-cost alternative to high volume, costly, hazardous solvent extraction of DDT.

This study assessed the foliar uptake of 15N-labelled nitrogen (N) originating from wet deposition along with leaf surface conditions, measured by wettability and water storage capacity. Foliar 15N uptake was measured on saplings of silver birch, European beech, pedunculate oak and Scots pine and the effect of nitrogen form (NH4 + or NO3 −), NH4 + to NO3 − ratio and leaf phenology on this N uptake was assessed. Next to this, leaf wettability and water storage capacity were determined for each tree species and phenological stage, and the relationship with 15NH4 + and 15NO3 − uptake was examined. Uptake rates were on average five times higher (p < 0.05) for NH4 + than for NO3 − and four times higher for deciduous species than for Scots pine. Developing leaves showed lower uptake than fully developed and senescent leaves, but this effect was tree species dependent. The applied NH4 + to NO3 − ratio did only affect the amount of N uptake by senescent leaves. The negative correlation between measured leaf contact angles and foliar N uptake demonstrates that the observed effects of tree species and phenological stage are related to differences in leaf wettability and not to water storage capacity.

The capability of environmental microorganisms to biodegrade simazine—an active substance of 2-chloro-s-triazine herbicides (pesticide waste since 2007)—was assessed. An enormous metabolic potential of microorganisms impels to explore the possibilities of using them as an alternative way for thermal and chemical methods of utilization. First, the biotope rich in microorganisms resistant to simazine was examined. Only the higher dose of simazine (100 mg/l) had an actual influence on quantity of bacteria and environmental fungi incubated on substrate with simazine. Most simazine-resistant bacteria populated activated sludge and biohumus (vermicompost); the biggest strain of resistant fungi was found in floral soil and risosphere soil of maize. Compost and biohumus were the sources of microorganisms which biodegraded simazine, though either of them was the dominant considering the quantity of simazine-resistant microorganisms. In both cases of periodic culture (microorganisms from biohumus and compost), nearly 100% of simazine (50 mg/l) was degraded (within 8 days). After the repeated enrichment culture with simazine, the rate of its degradation highly accelerated, and just after 24 h, the significant decrease of simazine (20% in compost and 80% in biohumus) was noted. Although a dozen attempts of isolating various strains responsible for biodegradation of simazine from compost and biohumus were performed, only the strain identified as Arthrobacter urefaciens (NC) was obtained, and it biodegraded simazine with almost 100% efficiency (within 4 days).

Conditions for tributyltin (TBT) solubilization and degradation were investigated. These conditions were optimized to remove or degrade organotin compounds (OTC) in spiked kaolin. TBT-spiked kaolin and reagents with specific chemical properties were tested in a batch reactor using a solid matrix model. The final concentrations of butyltin compounds in kaolin were determined by gas chromatography coupled with a pulsed flame photometric detector. Best results were obtained under acidic conditions (2 < pH < 5) with up to 87% TBT removal from the spiked kaolin. Acids with reducing properties were more effective (ascorbic and formic acid: 87% and 82% of TBT abatement, respectively). Moreover, final monobutyltin and dibutyltin concentrations were analyzed to determine which species predominate in the solid matrix after batch experiments. OTC speciation shows that degradation of TBT occurs simultaneously with solubilization in the presence of several reagents. These results allow choosing favorable/optimal operating conditions for OTC elimination.

Many studies were conducted measuring the lethal concentration of pollutants by using a contaminated solution or polluted sediments. Considering the impact of polluted food on mortality and uptake quantity of invertebrate shredders in batch cultures, little is known about, e.g. uranium and cadmium. Consequently, we investigated in situ the impact of metal and metalloid polluted food and water on Gammarus pulex L. under nature-like conditions. In contrast to other publications, a very low mortality rate of the invertebrates was found. Furthermore, fixation of elements by G. pulex was shown to be low compared to initial concentrations. Fixation of non essential metals and metalloids is shown to take place mainly on the surface of the invertebrates. This is deduced from easy desorption of a relevant amount of fixed metals and metalloids. It is concluded that the accumulation of metals and metalloids in situ under nature-like conditions within the food web via invertebrate shredders is very low. The invertebrates seem to minimize the uptake of non essential elements in the presence of nutrient-rich food even in habitats with higher contamination levels. Hence, invertebrates seem to be adapted to higher contamination levels in their favourable habitats.

An urban watershed in Raleigh, NC, was evaluated for Escherichia coli (E. coli), fecal coliform, enterococci, and total suspended solids (TSS) over 20 storm events. Sampling procedures allowed collection of multiple discrete samples per event, resulting in a relatively detailed description of microbe and TSS export for each storm. Data were evaluated to determine if a first flush effect was present for indicator bacteria and TSS in stormwater runoff. Analyses suggested there was a significant first flush effect for fecal coliform and TSS, although the first flush effect for fecal coliform was relatively weak. For E. coli and enterococci, no significant first flush effect was noted. Overall, the first flush effect was not always present for indicator bacteria and, if present, tended to be weak. The first flush effect for TSS was substantially stronger than that of any indicator bacteria. Further analysis showed poor correlation between first flush strength and antecedent climate variables, storm characteristics, and flow characteristics. However, seasonal differences for first flush strength were noted. Specifically, winter storms showed a stronger first flush effect for all indicator bacteria. The results of this study indicate that stormwater runoff presents a potential public health hazard due to elevated indicator bacteria levels for all portions of the storm event. Further, stormwater management practices cannot be expected to treat proportionally more indicator bacteria when sized for the water quality event. Instead, removal will simply be a function of a management practice’s volume capture and microbe sequestration efficiency.

Urban and industrial activities are major sources of pollution to marine environments. Sediments can act as sink and reservoir for a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals. Environmental quality assessment in this compartment can provide useful information to control pollution in coastal areas. Lately, implementation of Environmental Legislative Frameworks within the European Community is increasing awareness about the importance of marine sediment quality in order to achieve a “Good Environmental Status.” In this work, the study of superficial marine sediments allowed assessment of source and fate of heavy metals in a semi-enclosed deep embayment that is subjected to severe anthropogenic activities. Results indicated that accumulation of heavy metals takes place mainly in proximity to anthropogenic sources (industrial area and harbors), but pollution can also spread to greater depths affecting the whole ecosystem. Multivariate statistics helped identify source and fate of several elements, showing evidence of pollutants transfer from urban wastewaters, industrial effluents, and atmospheric emissions to marine sediments. Results provided useful information for the implementation and development of Environmental Management Strategies under European Legislative Frameworks.

Carcinus maenas is an invasive species of recognised economical and ecological importance in which mercury accumulation could be a pathway for bioamplification through food webs. Little information is available about differential accumulation between crab sexes and morphotypes. Taking this in mind, a set of different industrial discharge scenarios were investigated in 96-h laboratory experiments for assessing the accumulation of inorganic mercury from contaminated seawater into the tissues of C. maenas. Three groups of crabs (green males, green and red females) where exposed to 5, 50 and 250 μg Hg L−1. Differences among sexes, morphotypes and tissues were detected, depending on the mercury concentration. The muscle did not show differential accumulation between sexes or morphotypes. For mercury-exposed crabs, the contaminant was accumulated preferably in the gills (more than 75%) while, in control experiments, it was in the internal organs, muscle and hepatopancreas, and gills corresponded to less than 31% of the total mercury quantified. The different tissue contamination seems dependent on the major pathway of exposure, diet or water. Mercury accumulation by the crab was a rapid process and could represent a risk for the environment only after 96 h. In a scenario of a discharge point of 250 μg L−1, all tissues of crabs exposed would attain a very close, or even exceed the threshold concentration value for human consumption (0.5 mg kg−1).