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Limnological Review

Limnological Review is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal that covers all different subdisciplines of freshwater science, published quarterly online by MDPI (from Volume 22, Issue 1 - 2023). The Polish Limnological Society is affiliated with Limnological Review and its members receive discounts on article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, GeoRef, Inspec, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics)
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 23.3 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 8.1 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2025).
Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Limnological Review.
Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
Journal Clusters of Water Resources: Water, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Hydrology, Resources, Oceans, Limnological Review, Coasts.

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2300-7575

Latest Articles

13 pages, 4123 KB

Open AccessData Descriptor

A Dataset Trichoptera (Insecta) in Selected Regions of European Russia

by Alexander B. Ruchin, Natalia V. Borisova, Leonid V. Egorov, Mikhail N. Esin, Evgeniy A. Lobachev, Sergei V. Lukiyanov, Gennadiy B. Semishin, Irina G. Esina and Anna M. Nikolaeva

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(3), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26030031 - 25 Jun 2026

The study of aquatic biota is of particular interest in view of the considerable anthropogenic impact on freshwater ecosystems in recent decades. Information on regional Trichoptera faunas remains fragmented and scattered in many areas. The present paper provides data from a dataset that [...] Read more.

The study of aquatic biota is of particular interest in view of the considerable anthropogenic impact on freshwater ecosystems in recent decades. Information on regional Trichoptera faunas remains fragmented and scattered in many areas. The present paper provides data from a dataset that includes results of Trichoptera studies conducted since 1981 (primarily during 2018–2025) in 15 regions of European Russia. In total, the dataset contains records from 295 localities. The database includes information on 7759 specimens representing 134 species from 15 families. Eleven Trichoptera species are reported for the first time from the Nizhny Novgorod Region, seven species from the Penza Region, five species each from the Vladimir and Ryazan regions, three species each from the Samara Region, the Republic of Mordovia, and the Volgograd Region, and one species each from the Voronezh, Tambov, and Lipetsk regions, as well as the Chuvash Republic. Hydroptila angulata is recorded for the first time in the Middle Volga Region. The most abundant taxa in the collections belong to the families Limnephilidae, Phryganeidae, and Leptoceridae. Eight species are represented in the dataset by more than 300 specimens each. Hand-held sweep nets were used at 109 localities and yielded 109 species and 3308 specimens. The use of light traps at 45 localities resulted in the collection of 90 species represented by 2651 specimens. Full article

13 pages, 1689 KB

Open AccessArticle

Wind-Driven Circulation in a Shallow Polymictic Lake: The Case of Lake Wolsztyńskie

by Remigiusz Tritt

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(3), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26030030 - 24 Jun 2026

Wind forcing is a primary driver of lake circulation, yet in shallow basins it is strongly constrained by morphometry, limited depth, and aquatic vegetation. We quantified the velocity and direction of horizontal wind-driven currents in Lake Wolsztyńskie (western Poland) and assessed their spatial [...] Read more.

Wind forcing is a primary driver of lake circulation, yet in shallow basins it is strongly constrained by morphometry, limited depth, and aquatic vegetation. We quantified the velocity and direction of horizontal wind-driven currents in Lake Wolsztyńskie (western Poland) and assessed their spatial and vertical variability in relation to depth, wind speed, and effective fetch. Monthly field measurements (June 2019–May 2020) at eight sites showed a consistent, monotonic decline in current speed with depth across the lake. Mean circulation speed increased with wind, but the relationship was weak, indicating that local controls and non-linear response dominate over simple wind–current scaling. In macrophyte-covered littoral zones, currents were substantially attenuated relative to unvegetated sites of comparable depth. Directional analysis revealed that surface flow aligns with wind-driven transport in fewer than half of observations, while compensating (return) currents with opposing directions near the bottom are frequent. Clockwise veering of current direction with depth—expected under a classical Ekman spiral—was only intermittent, consistent with truncation of Ekman dynamics in a shallow water column and a prevailing two-layer circulation pattern. Full article

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28 pages, 1708 KB

Open AccessArticle

Aquatic Vegetation Assemblages in Ozark Ponds, Arkansas and Missouri, USA

by David E. Bowles

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020029 - 18 Jun 2026

Aquatic and semi-aquatic plant assemblages, water quality, riparian habitat, and landscape conditions were assessed for 140 ponds located in the Ozarks region in Arkansas and Missouri in order to better describe their occurrences and distributional patterns. Local environmental and landscape-level determinants that shape [...] Read more.

Aquatic and semi-aquatic plant assemblages, water quality, riparian habitat, and landscape conditions were assessed for 140 ponds located in the Ozarks region in Arkansas and Missouri in order to better describe their occurrences and distributional patterns. Local environmental and landscape-level determinants that shape their diversity and influence their respective distributions, particularly in light of urbanization, were also assessed. Ozark ponds are highly variable in terms of physical structure, habitat quality, and plant diversity. Urban ponds were generally of lower quality in terms of environmental attributes compared to those in non-urban areas, but they had similar plant taxa richness as well as numbers of non-native species compared to their non-urban counterparts. Ponds had high plant diversity (N = 204 taxa,

\bar{x}

= 9.89, range = 0–33). Taxa richness increased with increasing pond size, and urban ponds had slightly more species on average compared to non-urban ponds (10.38 vs. 9.58, respectively). Spatial beta diversity of plants showed a high dissimilarity among ponds, with turnover being the dominant fraction. Beta diversity also followed a significant distance-decay model. These findings show that urban Ozark ponds serve as important habitats for a broad variety of aquatic plants. Full article

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39 pages, 9118 KB

Open AccessReview

Radioisotopic Approaches to Understanding Lake Sediment History

by Noha Imam

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020028 - 17 Jun 2026

Radioisotopic techniques provide powerful tools for reconstructing the history of lake sediments, offering critical insights into past environmental changes and human impacts. These techniques have contributed significantly to our understanding of past environmental change and have implications for current environmental management practices. This [...] Read more.

Radioisotopic techniques provide powerful tools for reconstructing the history of lake sediments, offering critical insights into past environmental changes and human impacts. These techniques have contributed significantly to our understanding of past environmental change and have implications for current environmental management practices. This review comprehensively examines various radiometric dating techniques used for lake sediments, with a focus on natural, cosmogenic, and artificial radionuclides, including ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, ²⁴¹Am, ⁷Be, ³H, and ¹⁴C. The review highlights the widespread use of radionuclides in establishing sediment chronologies across different time scales, from short-term processes (days to decades) to long-term environmental reconstructions spanning thousands of years. Moreover, applications in limnological research are explored, including sedimentation rate estimation, reconstruction of pollution history of trace elements, nutrients, microplastics, and organic compounds, and assessment of anthropogenic impacts and catchment changes. The integration of radioisotopic methods with multiproxy paleolimnological approaches is emphasized as a powerful framework for reconstructing past environmental and ecological conditions. Despite their effectiveness, radioisotopic methods are exposed to several sources of uncertainty, including dispersion in atmospheric isotope flux, post-depositional processes, reservoir effects, and model assumptions. These challenges highlight the importance of careful methodological selection, site-specific evaluation, and rigorous uncertainty assessment in radioisotopic studies of lake sediments. Future research should emphasize refining sediment age-model calibration using region-specific sedimentation parameters and standardized validation procedures, and integrating radiometric techniques with geochemical, biological, and paleolimnological proxies to improve the reconstruction of environmental change in lacustrine systems. Such developments would enhance the interpretation of historical pollution records, sediment accumulation patterns, eutrophication history, and ecological variability, thereby providing scientifically robust information to support evidence-based lake management, restoration programs, and long-term conservation strategies. Full article

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15 pages, 7106 KB

Open AccessArticle

Aquatic Macrophyte Community Composition as an Indicator of Habitat Conditions and Anthropogenic Disturbance in Tropical Wetlands

by Jesús Antonio Quintero Cardozo, Juan Diego Lozano Castro, Armando Aguilar, Efraín Carvajal Carvajal, Alejandro Zuluaga Gómez, Kelly Cristina Torres Angulo and Oscar Orlando Porras Atencia

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020027 - 16 Jun 2026

Tropical wetlands are highly sensitive to climatic and anthropogenic disturbances, and their macrophyte communities provide valuable information about environmental conditions and habitat structure. This study evaluated the relationship between aquatic macrophyte richness, community composition, and habitat vulnerability to climate change in aquatic ecosystems [...] Read more.

Tropical wetlands are highly sensitive to climatic and anthropogenic disturbances, and their macrophyte communities provide valuable information about environmental conditions and habitat structure. This study evaluated the relationship between aquatic macrophyte richness, community composition, and habitat vulnerability to climate change in aquatic ecosystems of the San Luis rural district, Barrancabermeja municipality (Santander, Colombia). Macrophyte communities were characterized at 47 monitoring sites distributed across six mesohabitats: floodplain depressions, swamp, wetland, artificial ponds, naturalized ponds, and stream riparian zones. A total of 63 species belonging to 30 families and 51 genera were recorded. Contrary to theoretical expectations, correlation analyses showed no significant relationship between macrophyte species richness and habitat vulnerability indices (Spearman ρ = −0.118, p = 0.428; Pearson r = −0.069, p = 0.646). However, species richness differed significantly among mesohabitats (Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.05), indicating strong spatial heterogeneity in aquatic plant distribution. In addition, multivariate analyses using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that macrophyte community composition was strongly structured by local anthropogenic activities, including livestock farming, oil palm cultivation, and wastewater inputs. Floodplain depressions and artificial ponds were dominated by disturbance-tolerant and eutrophication-resistant species such as Urochloa plantaginea and Salvinia minima, reflecting higher levels of environmental pressure. These results demonstrate that macrophyte community composition, rather than species richness alone, is a more reliable indicator of habitat conditions and anthropogenic disturbance in tropical wetland systems. Overall, this study highlights that taxonomic richness is not a robust predictor of climate-related vulnerability in highly disturbed wetlands and emphasizes the importance of considering species composition and environmental context when assessing ecosystem conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecology: Plant Adaptations to Changing Wetland Environments)

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41 pages, 4994 KB

Open AccessReview

Microbial Communities in Natural Mineral Waters of Bulgaria: Diversity and Biotechnological Potential

by Aleksandar Slavov, Ilia Tamburadzhiev and Bogdan Goranov

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020026 - 12 Jun 2026

Mineral waters represent unique limnological ecosystems with stable physicochemical conditions and specialised microbial communities adapted to extreme environments. Bulgarian mineral waters remain comparatively underexplored despite their considerable ecological and biotechnological significance. These studies present a systematic narrative review of microbial diversity, ecological functions, [...] Read more.

Mineral waters represent unique limnological ecosystems with stable physicochemical conditions and specialised microbial communities adapted to extreme environments. Bulgarian mineral waters remain comparatively underexplored despite their considerable ecological and biotechnological significance. These studies present a systematic narrative review of microbial diversity, ecological functions, and biotechnological potential of microbial communities from Bulgarian mineral springs. A total of 233 scientific sources published between 1990 and 2026 were analysed, of which 33 focused on Bulgarian sites. Data were retrieved from major scientific databases, regional reports and grey literature. Due to strong methodological heterogeneity, a qualitative synthesis was conducted, supported by bibliometric summaries of research focus and environmental context. The available evidence demonstrates that microbial communities in Bulgarian mineral waters include diverse bacteria, archaea, cyanobacteria, and microalgae that adapt to broad thermal and geochemical gradients. These microorganisms actively participate in element cycles, form complex biofilms, and show numerous physiological adaptations to oligotrophic and extreme temperature conditions. Bulgarian systems broadly reflect global microbial patterns but exhibit additional variability linked to contrasting hydrogeological settings. Many taxa produce thermostable enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and exopolysaccharides with significant biotechnological potential. The review identifies significant research gaps and emphasises the importance of integrated multi-omics approaches for future exploration of Bulgarian mineral water ecosystems. Full article

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35 pages, 5398 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Seasonal Drought Risk Assessment Under Climate and Land Use Changes for Agricultural Areas Upstream of Pasak Reservoir, Thailand

by Thanasit Promping and Tawatchai Tingsanchali

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020025 - 11 Jun 2026

Most previous drought risk assessments have been done on monthly or annual time-scales, which do not directly correspond to crop conditions during wet and dry seasons. To address this limitation, this study introduces a novel framework for seasonal drought risk assessments. The analysis [...] Read more.

Most previous drought risk assessments have been done on monthly or annual time-scales, which do not directly correspond to crop conditions during wet and dry seasons. To address this limitation, this study introduces a novel framework for seasonal drought risk assessments. The analysis is conducted across multiple temporal periods, including the past (2020s: 2001–2020), near future (2030s: 2021–2040) and far future periods (2050s–2090s: 2041–2100) while considering the combined impacts of land use and climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Multi-drought hazard indices were developed to characterize drought conditions and evaluated for dry seasons (November to April) and wet seasons (May to October). Groundwater storage outflow was incorporated into the analysis to reflect its critical role as an alternative water source. Under RCP8.5 in dry seasons, the results show a decrease in drought risks from very high to high from the 2030s to the 2070s followed by an increase toward the 2090s. Meanwhile, in wet seasons under RCP8.5, the results exhibit an increase from very low to low for the 2030s–2090s. Adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties and improvement of irrigation systems in irrigated areas, as well as adaptive irrigation management in non-irrigated areas, were found to reduce drought damage in the future. Full article

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23 pages, 2295 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Seasonal Shoreline Distribution of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria

by Satyam Shah

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020024 - 6 Jun 2026

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is among the world’s most invasive aquatic macrophytes, yet quantitative models of shoreline preference remain absent for Lake Victoria. This study developed a distance-based quantitative framework for spatial distribution and decay modelling to quantify seasonal nearshore accumulation [...] Read more.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is among the world’s most invasive aquatic macrophytes, yet quantitative models of shoreline preference remain absent for Lake Victoria. This study developed a distance-based quantitative framework for spatial distribution and decay modelling to quantify seasonal nearshore accumulation dynamics in Winam Gulf, Kenya, using Sentinel-2 imagery. A Support Vector Machine classifier with polygon-mean feature extraction achieved 94–96% accuracy, supported by strong spectral separability (Jeffries–Matusita distance > 1.9 in six bands). During peak dry season, water hyacinth covered 405.81 km² (27.1% of gulf area) and occurred significantly closer to shore than open water (mean preference = 687.9 m; 95% CI: 616.6–753.7 m; p < 0.001). Water hyacinth was 3.10 times more likely than open water to occur within 100 m of shoreline, with 48% of biomass concentrated within 2 km. A power-law decay model of odds ratio with shoreline distance provided superior fit (R² = 0.870, F = 10.06, p = 0.047) compared to exponential decay (R² = 0.477, p = 0.378). Critically, pronounced nearshore preference occurred only during dry-season conditions (+687.9 m to +1946.6 m), while wet–dry transition periods showed no significant preference (−124.2 m; p = 1.00), supporting wind-driven Stokes drift as the dominant transport mechanism and enabling seasonal prioritization of nearshore management interventions. Full article

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32 pages, 3353 KB

Open AccessReview

Towards Sustainability and Development in the Complex South African Water Supply and Distribution System: A Systematic Review and Impact of Predictive Analytics

by Ann Maria Najjuma and Gbeminiyi John Oyewole

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020023 - 5 Jun 2026

Although South Africa has an extensive water infrastructure, it continues to face significant water scarcity due to its semi-arid climate, increasing urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, and pollution. These challenges, coupled with climate change and increasing water demand, have led to inefficiencies across the water [...] Read more.

Although South Africa has an extensive water infrastructure, it continues to face significant water scarcity due to its semi-arid climate, increasing urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, and pollution. These challenges, coupled with climate change and increasing water demand, have led to inefficiencies across the water value chain, particularly in rural areas. This review paper evaluates the current adoption of predictive analytics in South Africa’s water management system through a systematic literature review. It identifies the current applications, implementation gaps, and key system components that are suitable candidates to enhance efficiency, resource planning, and long-term sustainability in the sector. The findings show that while predictive models are being applied in urban systems for demand forecasting and proactive maintenance, only 15% of the reviewed studies address their actual adoption in rural or under-resourced contexts. This underscores the need for more inclusive development strategies to ensure equitable water service delivery. Although strides have been made in research and innovation, a major barrier is the slow transition from research to operational deployment, which hinders the full realisation of these technologies’ benefits that are essential for water supply sustainability and availability. Full article

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23 pages, 7764 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Vegetation and Water Stress in the Trichonida Basin Using Remote Sensing and Climatic Drought Indicators

by Fatima Daide, Eleni Ioanna Koutsovili, Mohammed Mouad Mliyeh, Abderrahim Lahrach, Isavela N. Monioudi and Ourania Tzoraki

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020022 - 28 May 2026

Freshwater lakes in Mediterranean regions are highly sensitive to climatic variability, particularly to droughts intensified by rising temperatures and increasing atmospheric evaporative demand. This study investigates drought variability and ecosystem responses in the Trichonida basin, the largest natural freshwater system in Greece, using [...] Read more.

Freshwater lakes in Mediterranean regions are highly sensitive to climatic variability, particularly to droughts intensified by rising temperatures and increasing atmospheric evaporative demand. This study investigates drought variability and ecosystem responses in the Trichonida basin, the largest natural freshwater system in Greece, using an integrated approach that combines the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at multiple time scales with satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), and lake surface water temperature. SPEI analysis revealed increasingly recurrent and persistent drought conditions in recent years, especially at medium- and long-term scales. NDVI exhibited pronounced seasonal variability and a moderate long-term increase at the basin scale, largely associated with agricultural activity and irrigation practices, while sharp declines were observed during severe drought episodes. CWSI showed strong seasonal patterns characterized by recurrent summer water stress events, but no significant long-term trend. Correlation analysis indicated positive relationships between NDVI and SPEI at medium- to long-term time scales, and significant negative correlations between CWSI and SPEI at short and medium time scales. A strong relationship between NDVI and CWSI further suggests the sensitivity of vegetation greenness to water stress, particularly during summer and autumn. Lake surface water temperature exhibited seasonal warming trends that coincided with periods of increased vegetation water stress. Drought-related water risks arise for calcareous fens dominated by Cladium mariscus in the Lake Trichonida system, a habitat of high conservation value, whose productivity is strongly seasonally controlled and closely linked to thermal dynamics. Overall, the combined multi-indicator analysis provides valuable insights into drought impacts and seasonal ecosystem vulnerability in Mediterranean lake basin environments, highlighting the importance of integrated monitoring frameworks for sustainable freshwater ecosystem management under increasing climatic variability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Remote Sensing Research and Application of Agricultural Drought and Water Management)

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32 pages, 13904 KB

Open AccessArticle

Paleolimnological Analysis of Lakes in Central Mexico: Regional Comparisons, Human Forcing, and Teleconnections During the Late Quaternary

by Rubén Hernández-Morales, Isabel Israde Alcantara, Nicolás Waldmann and Gabriela Ana Zanor

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020020 - 16 May 2026

This article analyzes the information provided by the sedimentary sequences of 29 lakes in central Mexico, 10 of which are currently paleolakes. During the Late Quaternary, the lakes of central Mexico experienced environmental changes driven by global and local climatic and geological processes, [...] Read more.

This article analyzes the information provided by the sedimentary sequences of 29 lakes in central Mexico, 10 of which are currently paleolakes. During the Late Quaternary, the lakes of central Mexico experienced environmental changes driven by global and local climatic and geological processes, showing regional trends of wet and dry periods. Paleoenvironmental reconstructions are based on the use of 20 indicators, including diatoms, pollen, geochemistry, mineralogy, granulometry, magnetic susceptibility, and isotopes. Seven major episodes are recognized in the historical evolution of the lakes of central Mexico: i. Late Miocene–Pliocene: A period that includes the formation of large lakes in central Mexico by volcano tectonic activity under a regime of continuous humidity. ii. Pleistocene–Drought and climatic variability of the interglacial period. iii. Drying and successive lacustrine transgression during the Last Glacial Maximum. iv. Spatial climate variability in the Heinrich 1 period. v. Lake regression and expansion of terrestrial vegetation in the Bølling–Allerød period. vi. Transgression of lakes of central Mexico during the Younger Dryas and mid-Holocene periods. vii. Late Holocene: A period that includes lake desiccation influenced by the impact of human activities. The analysis of the data allows us to propose six challenges for the scientific community in future research of central Mexico. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Geological Processes: A Key to Understand Water Quality Issues)

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32 pages, 1310 KB

Open AccessReview

Key Structural and Operational Factors for the Efficient Removal of Iron and Manganese from Mining Effluents in Constructed Wetlands

by Isabela da Silva Pedro Rochinha, Tamara Daiane de Souza, Múcio André dos Santos Alves Mendes and Aníbal da Fonseca Santiago

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020021 - 15 May 2026

Mining activities can generate effluent contamination with potentially toxic elements such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), posing environmental and technological challenges, particularly during mine closure and the decommissioning of mining structures. Constructed wetlands have been proposed as a nature-based, passive, and low-cost [...] Read more.

Mining activities can generate effluent contamination with potentially toxic elements such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), posing environmental and technological challenges, particularly during mine closure and the decommissioning of mining structures. Constructed wetlands have been proposed as a nature-based, passive, and low-cost alternative for treating mining effluents; however, the mechanisms, controlling factors, and performance patterns governing Fe and Mn removal remain insufficiently synthesized across different wetland configurations and effluent types. This study performs a systematic review combined with a meta-analysis to synthesize Fe and Mn removal mechanisms, quantify removal performance, and identify the operational, hydraulic, physicochemical, and biological factors influencing system performance. A total of 55 primary studies were analyzed, comprising 155 observations for Fe and 96 for Mn. The results indicate that Fe removal is generally high (median ln(RR)ln(RR) = −1.89), whereas Mn removal is more variable and less efficient (median ln(RR)ln(RR) = −0.59), highlighting the greater complexity of Mn removal processes. Fe removal was mainly associated with hydraulic retention time and pH, while Mn removal was more strongly influenced by redox conditions and the type of support material, particularly mineral substrates. Overall, wetland performance is governed by the interaction among hydraulic retention time, pH buffering, redox conditions, support media reactivity, vegetation-mediated rhizosphere processes, and influent geochemistry. A significant research gap remains regarding neutral mine drainage (NMD), since this effluent category was not explicitly reported in the primary studies and could not be robustly isolated as an independent subgroup, especially in relation to Mn removal efficiency. Full article

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27 pages, 2483 KB

Open AccessReview

Estimation of Water Quality in Lakes and Rivers Using Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence: A Review of Image Processing and Validation Strategies

by Virgilio Zúñiga-Grajeda, Jennifer Aleysha Lomeli, Freddy Hernán Villota-González, César Alejandro García-García and Belkis Sulbarán-Rangel

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020019 - 10 May 2026

Cited by 1

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly affected by eutrophication, sediment loading, and other anthropogenic pressures, creating a growing need for monitoring frameworks that are spatially extensive, temporally consistent, and methodologically robust. Although in situ sampling remains essential, its limited spatial coverage and operational constraints have [...] Read more.

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly affected by eutrophication, sediment loading, and other anthropogenic pressures, creating a growing need for monitoring frameworks that are spatially extensive, temporally consistent, and methodologically robust. Although in situ sampling remains essential, its limited spatial coverage and operational constraints have accelerated the use of satellite remote sensing combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for water quality assessment. This review critically examines recent studies published between 2020 and March 2026 on the estimation of physicochemical water quality parameters in lakes and rivers using remote sensing, with particular attention to the methodological structure of image processing workflows rather than performance metrics alone. The synthesis shows that predictive performance is strongly conditioned by three interrelated stages: atmospheric correction (AC), spectral feature construction, and validation design. Across the reviewed studies, substantial variation is observed in atmospheric correction processors, spectral engineering strategies, and model architectures, leading to differences in the spectral inputs and analytical conditions used for model development. Validation approaches remain highly heterogeneous and often rely on internal data splits without geographically independent testing, which weakens claims of model generalizability. In addition, few studies explicitly distinguish algorithmic, matchup, and preprocessing uncertainties, revealing a persistent gap in uncertainty reporting. Overall, the review suggests that improvements attributed to newer ML models may partly reflect upstream preprocessing choices rather than algorithmic superiority alone. Future research should prioritize transparent reporting of atmospheric correction pipelines, structured uncertainty decomposition, standardized validation protocols, and cross-site transferability assessments. By synthesizing these methodological patterns, this review provides a consolidated methodological synthesis that supports improved reproducibility, comparability, and operational reliability of remote-sensing-based freshwater quality monitoring. Full article

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16 pages, 1838 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrological Variability and Socio-Ecological Responses in Flood-Prone Riverine Communities of the Niger Delta, Nigeria: Women’s Lived Experiences

by Turnwait Otu Michael

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020018 - 2 May 2026

Riverine systems in tropical deltaic environments are increasingly exposed to hydrological variability driven by climate change, sea level rise, and extreme precipitation. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, recurrent flooding and environmental degradation are intensifying pressures on freshwater ecosystems and dependent communities. This study examines [...] Read more.

Riverine systems in tropical deltaic environments are increasingly exposed to hydrological variability driven by climate change, sea level rise, and extreme precipitation. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, recurrent flooding and environmental degradation are intensifying pressures on freshwater ecosystems and dependent communities. This study examines hydrological stressors in riverine settlements of Bayelsa State and explores associated socio-ecological responses. Using an exploratory qualitative design, data were collected from 51 women residing in highly vulnerable riverine communities through 24 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions. Thematic analysis identified prolonged flooding, riverbank erosion, salinity intrusion, water quality deterioration, and oil pollution, as key drivers of declining fisheries, reduced agricultural productivity, and household water insecurity. These stressors have prompted relocation, livelihood diversification, and reliance on indigenous adaptation practices. The study recommends: (1) installation of community-based flood early warning systems; (2) routine monitoring of surface water quality and salinity; (3) enforcement of oil spill remediation and pollution control measures; (4) rehabilitation of wetlands and natural drainage channels; and (5) targeted support for climate-resilient livelihoods such as aquaculture and elevated farming systems. These measures are critical for sustaining freshwater ecosystems and strengthening resilience in vulnerable deltaic communities. Full article

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20 pages, 7457 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating a GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework for Eutrophication Susceptibility in Lough Tay, Ireland

by Anja Batina

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020017 - 29 Apr 2026

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly threatened by eutrophication and other anthropogenic and climate-driven pressures that undermine ecological functioning and biodiversity. This study evaluates the transferability of a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS–MCDA) framework with Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP), originally developed for a shallow [...] Read more.

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly threatened by eutrophication and other anthropogenic and climate-driven pressures that undermine ecological functioning and biodiversity. This study evaluates the transferability of a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS–MCDA) framework with Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP), originally developed for a shallow coastal lake, to a morphologically distinct deep upland lake (Lough Tay, Ireland). Monthly in situ measurements at a single monitoring point in 2024 were analysed together with meteorological variables using Spearman rank correlations. Because spatial interpolation of in-lake water quality parameters was not feasible, eutrophication susceptibility was mapped using four external spatial drivers: distance from water resources (River Cloghoge inflows), land-based nitrogen export potential, distance from environmental pollutants represented by the transportation network, and a wind exposure index derived from a DEM and wind-rose analysis. Criteria were standardized with fuzzy membership functions, weighted using F-AHP (consistency index 0.056), and aggregated using weighted linear combination at 25 m resolution. The resulting Eutrophication Susceptibility Index (ESI) ranged from 0.18 to 0.81, indicating generally moderate to good conditions, with higher ESI values concentrated in the northern lake sector near inflow zones. The results demonstrate that GIS–MCDA can be adapted to lakes with limited monitoring by relying on external drivers, providing a spatial proxy for susceptibility rather than measured trophic status. Full article

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25 pages, 3287 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Some Regions of Kosovo Based on Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Parameters

by Florjana Zogaj, Tatjana Blazhevska, Fatbardh Sallaku, Rakesh Ranjan Thakur, Hazir Çadraku, Upaka Rathnayake, Debabrata Nandi, Vesna Knights, Gorica Pavlovska, Pajtim Bytyçi, Erinda Lika, Osman Fetoshi, Valentina Velkovski, Rozeta Hasalliu and Bojan Đurin

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020016 - 23 Apr 2026

Physicochemical and microbiological parameters are important indicators of drinking water quality. This study assessed the quality of groundwater used for drinking in four regions of Kosovo at 16 locations using an integrated assessment framework that combined physicochemical, microbiological, and Water Quality Index (WQI) [...] Read more.

Physicochemical and microbiological parameters are important indicators of drinking water quality. This study assessed the quality of groundwater used for drinking in four regions of Kosovo at 16 locations using an integrated assessment framework that combined physicochemical, microbiological, and Water Quality Index (WQI) approaches. The results reveal substantial spatial variability in water quality. While most physicochemical parameters remained within recommended limits, elevated values of total dissolved solids (up to 2792.5 mg/L), electrical conductivity (up to 2768.5 µS/cm), nitrate (up to 60.75 mg/L), and phosphate (up to 0.875 mg/L) were observed at several locations, indicating localized hydrogeochemical and anthropogenic influences. Dissolved oxygen levels were generally low (0.68–5.49 mg/L), reflecting limited aeration conditions in groundwater systems. Microbiological analysis revealed critical contamination, with Escherichia coli concentrations up to 299.9 CFU/100 mL, and all sampling sites exceeded permissible limits, indicating widespread fecal pollution and rendering the groundwater unsafe for direct consumption. WQI assessment further confirmed this condition, where 93.75% of locations were classified as medium quality using the NSF-WQI method, whereas the WA-WQI method categorized 68.75% of samples as poor and 6.25% as very poor. The novelty of this study lies in the integrated evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes and microbiological contamination using dual WQI methods and multivariate statistical analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of groundwater degradation pathways. The findings are significant for policymakers, environmental managers, and public health authorities, highlighting the urgent need for groundwater treatment, improved sanitation infrastructure, and sustainable water resource management strategies in vulnerable regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Microbiology and Public Health)

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37 pages, 8485 KB

Open AccessArticle

Geoecological Study of Lake and Basin Systems: An Applied Analysis of the Somyne Ramsar Wetland, Ukraine

by Ivan Kovalchuk, Vitalii Martyniuk, Vasyl Korbutiak, Ivan Zubkovych, Tetiana Pavlovska, Valentyna Stelmakh and Yaroslav Kurepa

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020015 - 17 Apr 2026

The Somyne lake-mire system is a unique wetland landscape complex in the Polissia region of Ukraine and forms part of the Rivne Nature Reserve. Its ecological importance is internationally recognised through its designation as the Ramsar wetland “Somyne Peatland Massif”. Effective conservation of [...] Read more.

The Somyne lake-mire system is a unique wetland landscape complex in the Polissia region of Ukraine and forms part of the Rivne Nature Reserve. Its ecological importance is internationally recognised through its designation as the Ramsar wetland “Somyne Peatland Massif”. Effective conservation of this wetland requires an understanding of the factors controlling the functioning of the lake and its drainage basin, considered in this study as a lake-basin system (LBS). The aim of this study is to assess the geoecological condition of the Somyne LBS using the principles of landscape limnology and the basin approach. The research integrates morphological, morphometric, hydrological, landscape-metric, hydrochemical and geochemical analyses. These are complemented by bathymetric modelling, landscape mapping, and analysis of long-term meteorological observations. The results identify key natural and anthropogenic drivers shaping the functioning of the system, characterise the hydrochemical state of lake waters and the geochemical properties of bottom sediments, and describe the spatial distribution of bottom sediments and the bathymetric structure of the lake basin. A multivariate algorithm for the geoecological assessment of lake-basin systems is proposed, providing a framework for comparative analysis of small lakes in the Polissian lake region under climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure. Full article

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33 pages, 2506 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Trophic State of Lagoons and Reservoirs in High Andean Southern Peru

by Jose Alberto Calizaya-Anco, Yvonne Magalí Cutipa-Díaz, David Gonzalo Rubira-Otarola, Katia Aracely Denegri-Limache and Elmer Marcial Limache-Sandoval

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020014 - 14 Apr 2026

High Andean lagoons in southern Peru have critical hydrological and ecological functions; however, long-term time series integrating trophic, integral quality, and metal contamination metrics to support adaptive management are lacking. A total of 1846 records (2015–2024) from four systems (3100–4600 m a.s.l.) were [...] Read more.

High Andean lagoons in southern Peru have critical hydrological and ecological functions; however, long-term time series integrating trophic, integral quality, and metal contamination metrics to support adaptive management are lacking. A total of 1846 records (2015–2024) from four systems (3100–4600 m a.s.l.) were analyzed using seven indices assessing trophic status (TSItsr, TRIX), general water quality (OWQI, WQIHA, CCME-WQI), and metal contamination (HPI, CD). Temporal trends were assessed using Mann–Kendall and Theil–Sen slope; spatial heterogeneity using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn–Bonferroni comparisons; controlling factors using distance-based redundancy analysis (999 permutations); and functional typology using Ward’s hierarchical clustering on Z-standardized data. 93% of the series lacked monotonic trends (52/56 lagoon–stratum × index combinations), demonstrating high interannual stability; spatial variance was marked (ε² = 0.73 in CCME-WQI). Distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) explained 24.6% of total variability, with lake identity as the dominant driver (~45%), followed by temporal change (~8%). Four functional archetypes emerged, including a metal-eutrophic hotspot (HPI ≈ 213; CD ≈ 19) and recovering reservoirs with intermediate water quality indicators. Joint thresholds (TSItsr ≥ 60 + HPI ≥ 100) establish early-warning criteria, with Paucarani (HPI = 213) approaching the critical domain where metal-driven stress may facilitate cyanobacterial dominance. Systems show temporal resilience but strong spatial divergence induced by local pressures. The proposed typology and thresholds provide an operational basis for early warnings and prioritization of remediation actions in high-mountain ecosystems subject to increasing anthropogenic stress. Full article

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18 pages, 3600 KB

Open AccessReview

Drivers of the Worldwide Distribution of Raphidiopsis raciborskii: Evidence from Experimental to Field Studies

by Florencia Soledad Alvarez Dalinger, Lucia Verónica Laureano, Liliana Beatriz Moraña, Claudia Nidia Borja, María Laura Sanchéz and Verónica Laura Lozano

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020013 - 12 Apr 2026

Raphidiopsis raciborskii is one of the most widely reported cyanobacteria worldwide, responsible for dense blooms and cyanotoxin production. Classified as invasive, it has been documented across all continents except Antarctica. While its distribution has been extensively studied, abiotic factors have consistently emerged as [...] Read more.

Raphidiopsis raciborskii is one of the most widely reported cyanobacteria worldwide, responsible for dense blooms and cyanotoxin production. Classified as invasive, it has been documented across all continents except Antarctica. While its distribution has been extensively studied, abiotic factors have consistently emerged as the main determinants of its success, which are therefore the focus of the present study. The objective of the present review is to synthesize findings from both experimental and field-based studies to identify which are the key drivers of its dominance. In total, 30 abiotic factors were reported, reflecting the broad strategies of the species. Results show the temperature as a consistent universal factor (11–35 °C), while differences were found regarding nutrient dynamics. Particularly, nitrogen forms and N/P ratios predominated in field-based evidence, whereas photosynthetically active radiation was disproportionately emphasized within experimental studies under controlled conditions. Factors such as salinity and micronutrients, and synergistic interactions remain critically understudied, limiting predictive capacity under global change scenarios. Understanding which combinations of these drivers create favorable conditions is essential for anticipating bloom dynamics in order to establish management strategies for avoiding or mitigating the negative impact of them. Full article

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9 pages, 828 KB

Open AccessArticle

Confirmation of Species Identification and New Locations of Potamogeton nodosus Poir. in Biebrza National Park Region

by Steven Jacobs, Dimitri Van Pelt, Ignacy Kardel, Martijn Van Roie and Jonas Schoelynck

Limnol. Rev. 2026, 26(2), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev26020012 - 1 Apr 2026

In 2013, plants tentatively identified as Potamogeton nodosus Poir. were discovered in the Biebrza River (NE Poland). In this study, the authors confirm the presence of P. nodosus by collecting new specimens at the original location and analyzing their microscopic characteristics, an essential [...] Read more.

In 2013, plants tentatively identified as Potamogeton nodosus Poir. were discovered in the Biebrza River (NE Poland). In this study, the authors confirm the presence of P. nodosus by collecting new specimens at the original location and analyzing their microscopic characteristics, an essential step due to significant overlap in macromorphological traits with the closely related P. × fluitans complex. Additionally, new occurrences of the species within Biebrza National Park are reported, and the possibility that its spread is linked to rising river water temperatures is discussed. The authors provide evidence of an increasing average water temperature in the Biebrza River and of a northbound expansion of P. nodosus in Europe. Given similar trends observed elsewhere in Northern Europe, it is likely that P. nodosus will continue to expand its range northward in response to ongoing climate change. Full article

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