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Sustainable Strategies for Improving Water Quantity and Quality in Anthropogenically Transformed Areas

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 7865

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Editors

Dr. Bogumił Nowak

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Guest Editor

Institute of Meteorology and Water Management—National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: hydrology; limnology; water management; water condition changes; impact of anthroporepression on water resources; water protection and reclamation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Agnieszka E. Ławniczak-Malińska

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Guest Editor

Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Interests: water quality; lake reclamation; macrophytes; nature protection; human pressure on fresh- and groundwater

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The availability of high-quality water is becoming an increasing challenge for mankind, especially in developing countries and those with low documented water resources, and the observed effects climate change, which manifests in higher air temperatures, increased evaporation, the lengthening of the growing season, or changes in the volume and distribution of precipitation and the disappearance of snow cover, is exacerbating water deficits in many regions of the world. On the other hand, the factors that determine the state and quality of water are human-induced activities. The sealing of urban areas, the land reclamation of agricultural land, mining drainage, the abstraction of surface and groundwater for economic and municipal purposes, agricultural irrigation, and other human activities disturb water relations not only in a given area, but also affect communities and nature in the lower parts of rivers whose catchments have been transformed. In addition to the quantity of water, water quality is also important, which is deteriorating in many parts of the world as a result of the influx of industrial and agricultural pollutants, which, in the context of increasingly higher water temperatures, cause accelerations in the eutrophication process in rivers and water bodies and, in many places, are responsible for long-term algal blooms, causing natural and economic losses. In the context of these phenomena and the ever-increasing demand for water, research aimed at studying the impact of environmental factors on the formation of the quantity and quality of water resources, especially in anthropogenically transformed areas, and which promotes ideas and solutions aimed at improving this state of affairs, is particularly important. With a view to expanding the horizons of knowledge on the above-mentioned issues and promoting research undertaken to improve the availability of high-quality water for people and nature in the most transformed areas, we have endeavored to collect and present this research in the form of a Special Issue for the Sustainability journal entitled ‘Sustainable strategies for improving water quantity and quality in anthropogenically transformed areas’.

Dr. Bogumił Nowak
Prof. Dr. Agnieszka E. Ławniczak-Malińska
Guest Editors

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Keywords

water relations transformation
water deficits
water availability
water pollution
eutrophication
sustainable water resources management
water quality improvement

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1679 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Selected Commercial Detergents and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on Meiobenthic Communities and Fly Larvae (Chaoborus sp. and Chironomus aprilinus) as a Factor Disrupting Sustainable Surface Water Management

by Barbara Wojtasik and Radosław Potrykus

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 5040; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18105040 - 16 May 2026

Viewed by 588

Abstract

This study examined the effects of several selected commercial detergents (cleaning cream, window cleaner liquid, lavender-scented dishwashing liquid, mint-scented dishwashing liquid, and pomegranate–verbena-scented dishwashing liquid) and the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on small aquatic invertebrates. The combined effects of these detergents with sodium chloride (NaCl) were also analysed. Acute toxicity tests were conducted on Chaoborus sp. larvae and Chironomus aprilinus Meigen larvae. These tests demonstrated that all tested substances were lethal to both taxa, although the effect on Chaoborus larvae was weaker. Tests involving sodium chloride combined with detergents yielded results similar to those obtained with detergents alone. LT₅₀ and 24 h LC₅₀ values were calculated. Chronic toxicity tests were conducted on meiobenthic assemblages sampled from two water bodies with contrasting ecological status: very good and eutrophic. Bray–Curtis faunal similarity analysis consistently separated control samples from detergent samples as a distinct cluster. The results indicated toxic effects at all tested dilutions and in samples from both water bodies. Among the observed taxa, Rotifera, Nematoda, Cladocera, Copepoda, Ostracoda, Insecta Diptera larvae, Insecta adult, Gastropoda, and Bivalvia, Ostracoda showed the greatest resistance to detergents, while Rotifera, Nematoda, Cladocera, and Copepoda demonstrated the highest sensitivity. A decrease in abundance and biodiversity was observed in all meiobenthic samples relative to the control samples. The results have a dual significance: 1. based on the obtained data, the developed procedures can be used as markers of detergent toxicity, and 2. in an economy based on sustainable development, commercial detergents should be considered as a serious source of surface water pollution affecting the ecological condition of water reservoirs and rivers. Detergents constitute a significant source of pollution and an obstacle to sustainable development in surface water protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Improving Water Quantity and Quality in Anthropogenically Transformed Areas)

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15 pages, 2616 KB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Ecological Status of Surface Waters Through Filtration on Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Waste as an Option for Sustainable Surface Water Management

by Barbara Wojtasik

Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031203 - 24 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1128

Abstract

The progressive degradation of surface waters should become one of the most important problems requiring an urgent solution. One of the methods developed is filtering water through loose, degraded sediments, blooms of cyanobacteria or algae, or a bed of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) waste or hemp fibers. The conducted tests on the percolation of water samples and/or water with sediment from surface waters at sites with different ecological statuses indicate the possibility of using hemp waste for the reclamation of water reservoirs and rivers. The effect of filtration is a rapid improvement in water quality and, consequently, an improvement in the ecological status. The best result was achieved for a small freshwater reservoir with a large number of algae and loose degraded sediment. The initial turbidity value was at the limit of the device’s measurement capability, reaching 9991 NTU. After filtration through the hemp waste bed, the turbidity dropped to 42.52 NTU, a 99.57% decrease. The remaining parameters, C, TDS, and pH, were not subject to significant variability as a result of filtering. Excessive amounts of organic matter, which create a problem for surface waters, are removed. Due to the carrier (hemp waste), which is organic waste, any possible release of small amounts into the aquatic environment will not pose a threat. After applying filtration, a decision can be made on further actions regarding the water reservoir or river: Self-renewal of the reservoir or further percolation using, for example, mill gauze or cleaning the reservoir with other, non-invasive methods. After the filtering procedure, the hemp waste, enriched with organic matter and water remaining in the waste, can be used for composting or directly for soil mulching (preliminary tests have yielded positive results). A hemp waste filter effectively removes Chronomus aprilinus larvae (Chrinomidae) from water. This result indicates the possibility of removing mosquito larvae in malaria-affected areas. The use of hemp filters would reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used to reduce mosquito larvae. Improving the ecological status of surface waters by filtering contaminants with hemp waste filters can reduce the need for chemical treatment. The use of natural, biological filters enables sustainable surface water management. This is crucial in today’s rapidly increasing chemical pollution of surface waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Improving Water Quantity and Quality in Anthropogenically Transformed Areas)

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32 pages, 1461 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social–Ecological Systems for Sustainable Water Management Under Anthropopressure: Bibliometric Mapping and Case Evidence from Poland

by Grzegorz Dumieński, Alicja Lisowska, Adam Sulich and Bogumił Nowak

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020993 - 19 Jan 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 872

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the social–ecological system (SES) as a unit of analysis for sustainable water management under conditions of anthropogenic pressure in Poland. In the face of accelerating climate change and growing human impacts, Polish water systems are exposed to increasing ecological stress and to material and immaterial losses affecting local communities. The SES approach provides an integrative analytical framework that links ecological and social components, enabling a holistic view of adaptive and governance processes at multiple spatial scales, from municipalities to areas that transcend administrative boundaries. Methodologically, this study triangulates three complementary approaches to strengthen explanatory inference. This conceptual SES review defines the analytical categories used in the paper, the bibliometric mapping (Scopus database with VOSviewer) identifies dominant research streams and underexplored themes, and the qualitative Polish case studies operationalize these categories to diagnose mechanisms, feedbacks, and governance vulnerabilities under anthropogenic pressure. The bibliometric analysis identifies the main research streams at the intersection of SES, water management and sustainable development, revealing thematic clusters related to climate change adaptation, environmental governance, ecosystem services and hydrological extremes. The case studies - the 2024 flood, the 2022 ecological disaster in the Odra River, and water deficits associated with lignite opencast mining in Eastern Wielkopolska - illustrate how anthropogenic pressure and climate-related hazards interact within local SES and expose governance gaps. Particular attention is paid to attitudes and social participation, understood as configurations of behaviors, knowledge and emotions that shape decision-making in local self-government, especially at the municipal level. This study argues that an SES-based perspective can contribute to building the resilience of water systems, improving the integration of ecological and social dimensions and supporting more sustainable water management in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Improving Water Quantity and Quality in Anthropogenically Transformed Areas)

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17 pages, 2829 KB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Circular Economy Solutions: Managing Wastewater from Paint Production

by Aleksandra Mazik, Paulina Stanek, Beata Malczewska and Paweł Lochyński

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10515; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310515 - 24 Nov 2025

Viewed by 813

Abstract

The imperative for sustainable water management strategies is driven by challenges, such as limited water availability, economic development, population growth, and escalating environmental concerns. A viable strategy involves water collection and reuse. This study assessed the quality of wastewater produced by paint manufacturing companies, which is characterised by high chemical oxygen demand and turbidity, as well as the presence of organic materials, suspended particles, and heavy metals. Such wastewater requires treatment prior to environmental discharge. After analysing the current methods of wastewater treatment in the paint industry, this study seeks to establish a conceptual framework for developing a methodology for the collection of wastewater from rinsing machines and containers within the paint manufacturing sector while identifying optimal practices in raw wastewater management. It examines various strategies for minimising the waste generated in the paint manufacturing industry, drawing upon the waste management practices of a specific plant. Utilising data from 190 samples, the quality of the generated wastewater was estimated using probabilistic methods, including the Monte Carlo simulations, distribution fitting, and Student’s t-test. Based on the results, a wastewater management strategy was formulated for the company. By implementing water treatment and recycling systems, paint manufacturers can reduce their reliance on freshwater resources, lower the costs associated with wastewater disposal, and mitigate their environmental impact. Effective management in this domain can significantly enhance the treatment of industrial wastewater and facilitate the development of strategies for the reuse of rinse wastewater, thereby supporting the principles of a circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Improving Water Quantity and Quality in Anthropogenically Transformed Areas)

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18 pages, 3354 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrological Modeling of the Chikugo River Basin Using SWAT: Insights into Water Balance and Seasonal Variability

by Francis Jhun Macalam, Kunyang Wang, Shin-ichi Onodera, Mitsuyo Saito, Yuko Nagano, Masatoshi Yamazaki and Yu War Nang

Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7027; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157027 - 2 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2703

Abstract

Integrated hydrological modeling plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable water resource management, particularly in regions facing seasonal and extreme precipitation events. However, comprehensive studies that assess hydrological variability in temperate river basins remain limited. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the performance of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in simulating streamflow, water balance, and seasonal hydrological dynamics in the Chikugo River Basin, Kyushu Island, Japan. The basin, originating from Mount Aso and draining into the Ariake Sea, is subject to frequent typhoons and intense rainfall, making it a critical case for sustainable water governance. Using the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Version 2 (SUFI-2) approach, we calibrated the SWAT model over the period 2007–2021. Water balance analysis revealed that baseflow plays dominant roles in basin hydrology which is essential for agricultural and domestic water needs by providing a stable groundwater contribution despite increasing precipitation and varying water demand. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of hydrological behavior in temperate catchments and offer a scientific foundation for sustainable water allocation, planning, and climate resilience strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Improving Water Quantity and Quality in Anthropogenically Transformed Areas)

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