Aquatic Ecosystem: Problems and Benefits—2nd Edition

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 3343

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Business Faculty, WSB Merito University in Gdańsk, Al. Grunwaldzka 238 A, 80-266 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: coastal

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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Products Quality and Chemistry, Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland
Interests: dangerous goods; shipping; sea accidents; modeling accident consequences
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aquatic ecosystem includes lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, oceans, seas, estuaries etc. These ecosystems are both valuable and vulnerable. The benefits of aquatic ecosystems are countless as they are the habitat for water-dependent living organisms, attenuate floods, recharge ground water, recycle nutrients and purify water.

Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are affected by the contamination of industrial and municipal wastes that have become a serious problem worldwide, resulting in effects on humans and the environment. Human activities are causing different modifications of aquatic environments, which also have an effect on changes in biota composition and introduction of alien species.

Nevertheless, aquatic ecosystems provide goods and services that are beneficial to humans. They are a source of raw materials, food and drinking water, also providing transportation and recreational opportunities. However, aquatic ecosystems are very vulnerably to these activities that significantly lower their quality; therefore, aquatic systems demand enhanced security.

This Special Issue of Water explores the following topics, but is not limited to them:

  • Aquatic biodiversity as an indicator of anthropopressure;
  • Aquatic alien, invasive alien species: introduction, spread, expansion, invasion, potential use;
  • Commercial species, consumption of aquatic species, utilization of wastes, circular economy, blue economy;
  • Eutrophication, acidification, climate change, pollution, wastwater, hypoxia, anoxia;
  • Biodegradation in aquatic ecosystems;
  • Modeling and simulation of pollution processes;
  • Ocean and coastal engineering;
  • Water supply system;
  • Operation and maintenance of water management systems;
  • Protection of aquatic ecosystems and mitigation of anthropogenic activities in the environment;
  • Hydropower sources (including ocean waves and tidal currents);
  • Marine and freshwater resources (living organism and minerals);
  • Lake and coastal tourism.

Both original research and comprehensive review papers are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Aldona Dobrzycka-Krahel
Prof. Dr. Magdalena Bogalecka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • anthropogenic impact
  • aquatic biodiversity and functionality
  • aquatic ecosystem pollution
  • contamination
  • hazard identification
  • monitoring
  • modeling
  • nutrient
  • offshore facilities
  • optimization
  • reliability
  • risk analysis
  • safety
  • seafood
  • shipping
  • transport
  • water quality
  • water management system
  • water resource

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 9023 KiB  
Article
Response of the Cyanobacteria Plankton Community to Anthropogenic Impact in Small Lakes of Urbanized Territory in the Permafrost Zone of Northeast Asia (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia)
by Sophia Barinova, Viktor A. Gabyshev and Olga I. Gabysheva
Water 2024, 16(19), 2834; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192834 - 6 Oct 2024
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Abstract
In the conditions of growing anthropogenic pressure, aquatic ecosystems all over the world are subject to transformation, expressed in the growth of eutrophication, increase in acidity, changes in water exchange, etc. In the region of Eastern Siberia we studied, located in Yakutia in [...] Read more.
In the conditions of growing anthropogenic pressure, aquatic ecosystems all over the world are subject to transformation, expressed in the growth of eutrophication, increase in acidity, changes in water exchange, etc. In the region of Eastern Siberia we studied, located in Yakutia in the middle reaches of the Lena River basin, there is a significant population growth accompanied by advancements in agriculture and public utilities. The region is rich in small lakes, which have been under pressure from human activities for the past few decades. The studied region is located in the permafrost zone and is characterized by severe climatic conditions, cold long winters, short hot summers, and a short ice-free period on reservoirs. We studied 17 lakes of various genesis, with varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure, located in the largest city of the region, small villages, and at different distances from them. Previous studies have established that cyanobacteria constitute the phytoplankton main group in these lakes during the summer period. Therefore, we selected them as the focus for our bioindication analysis. An integrated assessment of the bioindication properties of cyanobacteria, along with chemical water parameters, was undertaken using statistical mapping methods, JASP, and Redundancy Analysis (RDA). This analysis revealed the impact of urbanized areas, characterized by a decrease in pH, runoff of nitrogen compounds, and an increase in organic matter. Despite the cryolithozone harsh conditions, in small lakes of urbanized areas, cyanobacteria exhibit their competitive advantages within the plankton community. The prospect of continuing our work is associated with the need to determine the risk of cyanoHAB development since potentially toxic cyanobacteria have a mass development in a number of lakes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecosystem: Problems and Benefits—2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 2454 KiB  
Article
Groundwater Springs Influence Fish Community Distribution and Trout Condition across a Longitudinal Gradient in a Coldwater Catchment in Southeastern Minnesota, USA
by Will L. Varela, Neal D. Mundahl, David F. Staples, Silas Bergen, Jennifer Cochran-Biederman, Cole R. Weaver and Martin C. Thoms
Water 2024, 16(14), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141961 - 11 Jul 2024
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Abstract
The thermal conditions of transitional (ranging from warm to cold) coldwater streams impact the ranges and resource availabilities for biota inhabiting these lotic systems. With ongoing climate change and increasing land modifications, thermal boundaries may shift, altering thermal transition zones and their biotic [...] Read more.
The thermal conditions of transitional (ranging from warm to cold) coldwater streams impact the ranges and resource availabilities for biota inhabiting these lotic systems. With ongoing climate change and increasing land modifications, thermal boundaries may shift, altering thermal transition zones and their biotic communities. The objective of this study was to investigate the condition of trout across three forks of the Whitewater River catchment, located in southeastern Minnesota, and to investigate factors influencing fish community composition and distribution. Each fork was characterized into three separate sections: headwater (coolwater), middle (warmwater), and lower (coldwater). Springs were identified throughout each fork, with greatest concentrations in the lower sections of each fork. Using single-pass electrofishing, we sampled 61 sites across the three forks in the Whitewater River system (North = 21 sites, Middle = 19, South = 21), and catch statistics were used to calculate diversity, trout abundance, and trout condition. In general, diversity increased, and trout were healthier but less abundant in middle and headwater sections, whereas diversity decreased slightly, trout condition decreased, and trout abundance increased in lower reaches, with changes differing somewhat among forks. Canonical correlation analysis highlighted strong significant correlations showing that Simpson diversity and trout condition increase going upstream, with high non-trout abundance, while trout catch rates decrease and width narrows. The Whitewater River is a catchment exhibiting transitional temperature-pattern characteristics with generally low fish community diversity and trout conditions that range from thin, normal, and robust. Dominated by a changing landscape (agriculture) and intensifying climate change, we may begin to see stream temperatures increase along with species diversity. Understanding how spring temperature influences species composition and distribution can bring potential stressors to light, increasing our understanding of thermal conditions and helping to mitigate the negative impacts from land use and climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecosystem: Problems and Benefits—2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 2232 KiB  
Article
Trophic Status of Lake Niesłysz (Poland) and Related Factors
by Arkadiusz Nędzarek and Michał Budzyński
Water 2024, 16(12), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121736 - 19 Jun 2024
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Abstract
In order to ensure the protection of lakes against eutrophication, an ongoing global problem, its causes should be determined on an individual basis. In this study, we investigated Lake Niesłysz in northwestern Poland in terms of (i) the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus [...] Read more.
In order to ensure the protection of lakes against eutrophication, an ongoing global problem, its causes should be determined on an individual basis. In this study, we investigated Lake Niesłysz in northwestern Poland in terms of (i) the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus on primary production, (ii) the Trophic State Index (TSI), and (iii) the hydromorphological characteristics and watershed features. We determined the thermal conditions, dissolved oxygen, organic matter, and selected forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. TSI was determined using Secchi depth (SD), chlorophyll a, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN). Hypolimnetic anoxia was observed in summer. Surface concentrations of chlorophyll a and organic carbon, total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), and total reactive phosphorus (TRP) were 5 μg L−1, 11.7 mg C L−1, 0.049 mg N L−1, and 0.018 mg P L−1, respectively. The TN:TP ratio was >30, while TIN:TRP was <10. The TSIs for chlorophyll a, SD, and TP ranged from 42 to 59, and for TN it was >145. The total trophic state index (T-TSI) exceeded 72. In conclusion, Lake Niesłysz has an average resistance to degradation and the catchment has little influence on the release and transport of biogenic matter into the lake. The limiting nutrient for primary production was phosphorus, but the influence of nitrogen or covariates of nitrogen cannot be excluded. Based on the oxygen conditions in the hypolimnion, the lake should be classified as eutrophic. Most of the TSIs were in the mesotrophic range, while the TSIs for TN and T-TSI classified the lake as hypertonic. The results show that Lake Niesłysz is currently at a critical stage of progressive degradation, and it is advisable to develop and implement protective measures immediately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecosystem: Problems and Benefits—2nd Edition)
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