Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.8
3.0
Journals
Water
Special Issues
Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer...
water-logo
Submit to Water Review for Water Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer and Drier Climate Scenario

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Quality and Contamination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2025) | Viewed by 9266

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniela R. De Figueiredo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: aquatic microbial ecology; cyanobacterial blooms; environmental education; science communication; citizen science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. M. Teresa Condesso de Melo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Engenharia de Recursos Minerais e Energéticos, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: groundwater baselines; tracers; saline intrusion; groundwater recharge; groundwater dependent ecosystems; socio-hydrogeology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sofia Bento

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
ISEG—Lisbon School of Economics & Management, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: environment and participation; scientific and technical controversies; scientific institutions; professionals and knowledge

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue considers surface freshwater and groundwater as equally important parts of the same overall resource, with the goal being to integrate inter- and transdisciplinary research on freshwater quality under changing climate scenarios where droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. The increasing scarcity of precipitation is leading to decreased water levels and water quality in surface and groundwater bodies, leading to environmental, societal, political and economic changes that can affect global health. In lentic water bodies, droughts and warmer temperatures promote the occurrence of life-threatening events within local communities. Groundwater quality may be also greatly affected, namely in coastal regions where freshwater salinization may occur. Therefore, the preservation of freshwater quality is a crucial and urgent issue to resolve. In the era of the “knowledge-based” society, information is vital to increasing understanding and awareness on the impacts of climate change and to prepare society to find and implement ways to deal with those changes through collaborative solutions (with stakeholders, academia and policy makers).

Within the context of climate change, and geographically focusing on the Southern Europe regions, we welcome research papers and reviews regarding current topics on freshwater ecology, toxicity, hydrochemistry, monitoring approaches, but also societal aspects related to these concerning climate challenges. Ultimately, this Special Issue intends to establish a multidisciplinary standpoint in regard to how best to tackle freshwater quality issues.

Dr. Daniela R. De Figueiredo
Dr. M. Teresa Condesso de Melo
Guest Editors

Dr. Sofia Bento
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • drought
  • water quality
  • surface freshwaters
  • groundwater
  • water and society

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 6230 KiB  
Article
Modern Treatment Using Powdered Chlorella vulgaris for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Freshwater
by Eleonora Sočo, Dorota Papciak, Andżelika Domoń and Dariusz Pająk
Water 2024, 16(17), 2388; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172388 - 25 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2192
Abstract
In the face of current challenges related to climate change, maintaining the appropriate quality of freshwater becomes crucial. This study examined the effectiveness of removing heavy metals (Cu(II) and Co(II)) using Chlorella vulgaris biosorbents (dietary supplements in the form of powder). This study [...] Read more.
In the face of current challenges related to climate change, maintaining the appropriate quality of freshwater becomes crucial. This study examined the effectiveness of removing heavy metals (Cu(II) and Co(II)) using Chlorella vulgaris biosorbents (dietary supplements in the form of powder). This study determined the parameters of the biosorbent (point of zero charge (PZC) analysis using scanning electron microscopy with back-scattered electron (SEM-BSE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis). Batch tests were also performed to determine the kinetic constants and adsorption equilibrium of Cu(II) and Co(II) ions. Based on the conducted research, it was found that a pseudo-second-order equation describes the kinetics of the biosorption process. Among the studied adsorption isotherms, the Langmuir and Freundlich models fit best. The results indicate that single-layer adsorption took place and Chlorella vulgaris is a microporous adsorbent. The maximum sorption capacity in the single-component system for Cu(II) and Co(II) was 30.3 mg·g−1 and 9.0 mg·g−1, respectively. In contrast, in the binary system, it was 20.8 mg·g−1 and 19.6 mg·g−1 (extended Langmuir model) and 23.5 mg·g−1 and 19.6 mg·g−1 (Jain-Snoeyinka model). Chlorella vulgaris is an effective biosorbent for removing heavy metals from freshwater. This technology offers an ecological and economical solution for improving water quality, making it a promising alternative to traditional purification methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer and Drier Climate Scenario)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 6434 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Local Impact of Retention Reservoirs—A Case Study of Jagodno (Existing) and Sarny (Planned) Reservoirs Located in Poland
by Maksymilian Połomski and Mirosław Wiatkowski
Water 2024, 16(14), 2061; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142061 - 22 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1320
Abstract
The construction of retention reservoirs that cause permanent water damming is a complex subject and requires an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues. The scope of the conducted study includes (1) a natural inventory of the area of Jagodno Reservoir in central Poland, which [...] Read more.
The construction of retention reservoirs that cause permanent water damming is a complex subject and requires an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues. The scope of the conducted study includes (1) a natural inventory of the area of Jagodno Reservoir in central Poland, which has been in operation for almost a decade, (2) a natural inventory of the area where a reservoir of similar size could potentially be built (Sarny, in southwestern Poland), (3) an assessment of the local community’s attitudes toward the operation or construction of individual facilities, (4) analysis and use of the obtained results to predict the local impact of Sarny Reservoir. The results of this study indicate areas where the impact of Jagodno Reservoir should be considered negative, neutral, or positive and what effect can be expected during the construction of Sarny Reservoir. One of the more significant results for Jagodno Reservoir, we should point out, is the appearance of a few waterfowl breeding at the site (4 species), a substantial expansion of the ichthyofauna population (from 9 to 24 species, which does not apply only to native species), a local loss of 91E0 habitat (willow riparian forests) and the appearance of one species of an invasive plant (Canadian goldenrod), a favorable impact on the water quality of the River Wiązownica (reduction in total and nitrate nitrogen loads by an average of 43.4% and 58.2%, respectively), and a positive assessment of the reservoir’s impact on the development of the region by the local community (19 out of 26 village leaders expressed positive opinions with no unambiguously negative votes). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer and Drier Climate Scenario)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 2455 KiB  
Article
Bacterioplankton Community Diversity of a Portuguese Aquifer System (Maciço Calcário Estremenho)
by Daniela R. de Figueiredo, Maria T. Condesso de Melo, Pedro P. Saraiva, Joana Oliveira, Ana M. M. Gonçalves, Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira, Ana R. M. Polónia, Nelson Abrantes and Daniel F. R. Cleary
Water 2024, 16(13), 1858; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16131858 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1224
Abstract
Climate change may increase the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination through extreme precipitation and extended drought periods. Therefore, the understanding of groundwater ecosystem dynamics is crucial, with bacterial assemblages playing a major role in biogeochemical cycles. The present research describes a geospatial study [...] Read more.
Climate change may increase the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination through extreme precipitation and extended drought periods. Therefore, the understanding of groundwater ecosystem dynamics is crucial, with bacterial assemblages playing a major role in biogeochemical cycles. The present research describes a geospatial study targeting the bacterial community structure of groundwaters from the largest karst aquifer in Portugal (the Maciço Calcário Estremenho), integrating hydrogeochemical and bacterial diversity data. A total of 22 samples were analyzed from a set of 11 geographically sparsely distributed groundwater sources in dry vs. wet seasons. The 16S rRNA gene barcoding data revealed bacterial community variability across samples in space and time. The phylum Proteobacteria was dominant across all samples (from 44 to 92% of total sequence reads), mainly represented by the classes Alphaproteobacteria (orders Sphingomonadales, BD7–3, Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales), Betaproteobacteria (orders Burkholderiales, Rhodocyclales, Nitrosomonadales), Gammaproteobacteria (orders Pseudomonadales, Xanthomonadales, Alteromonadales, Legionellales) and Deltaproteobacteria (orders Myxococcales, Spirobacillales). Variation in the bacterial community was primarily attributed to parameters such as redox conditions (DO, ORP), Fe, Mn, SO4, PO4, Sr and Cl, but also some minor and trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Cu, Pb). Our results provide novel insights into bacterial diversity in relation to groundwater hydrogeochemistry. The strong dominance of OTUs related to bacterial taxa associated with nitrification/denitrification also highlights a potentially important role of these assemblages on nutrients (nitrogen sources) and groundwater quality dynamics at this karstic aquifer system. Moreover, the integration of bacterial assemblages information is emphasized as central for water quality monitoring programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer and Drier Climate Scenario)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1497 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Profiling of Klebsiella in Surface Waters from Northern Portugal: Understanding Patterns in Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Formation
by Sara Araújo, Vanessa Silva, Maria de Lurdes Enes Dapkevicius, José Eduardo Pereira, Ângela Martins, Gilberto Igrejas and Patricia Poeta
Water 2024, 16(9), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091297 - 2 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2822
Abstract
This study investigates the prevalence of resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella isolates from surface waters in Northern Portugal, within the broader context of freshwater quality challenges in Southern Europe. The aim of this research is to explain how Klebsiella dynamics, antibiotic resistance, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the prevalence of resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella isolates from surface waters in Northern Portugal, within the broader context of freshwater quality challenges in Southern Europe. The aim of this research is to explain how Klebsiella dynamics, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation interact in surface waters. Antimicrobial susceptibility was examined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against 11 antibiotics and screening for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production using the double-disk synergy. PCR was employed to detect resistance and virulence genes, while biofilm production was assessed using the microplate method. Out of 77 water isolates, 33 Klebsiella (14 Klebsiella spp. and 19 K. pneumoniae strains) were isolated. ESBL production was observed in 36.8% of K. pneumoniae and 28.6% of Klebsiella spp. High resistance rates to blaCTX-U were observed in both. The papC gene was prevalent, signifying potential environmental risks. Biofilm production averaged 81.3% for K. pneumoniae and 86.9% for Klebsiella spp. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between Klebsiella’s dynamics and freshwater quality, with ESBL’s prevalence raising concerns about waterborne dissemination and public health implications. This work supports the need for vigilance of Klebsiella in surface waters in Southern Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer and Drier Climate Scenario)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

13 pages, 1018 KiB  
Review
Rainwater Quality in Southern Europe: Insights and Challenges Regarding Potential Toxic Elements
by Patrícia S. M. Santos
Water 2024, 16(24), 3640; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243640 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 820
Abstract
Rainwater is a source of freshwater that affects the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and consequently human health. Since potential toxic elements (PTEs) have been found in rainwater in Southern Europe, its quality should be evaluated. This review assesses the current knowledge of the [...] Read more.
Rainwater is a source of freshwater that affects the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and consequently human health. Since potential toxic elements (PTEs) have been found in rainwater in Southern Europe, its quality should be evaluated. This review assesses the current knowledge of the quality of rainwater in Southern Europe concerning PTEs, as well as its impact on the environment and human health. The presence of PTEs in rainwater poses challenges and simultaneously an opportunity for innovation in environmental management, particularly in water management. Further monitoring of rainwater quality, research, and policy development are needed to ensure that rainwater remains a viable and safe water resource. The challenges of rainwater quality regarding PTEs and of rainwater harvesting as a measure of drought mitigation, as observed in Southern Europe, require investing in rainwater treatment technologies. The treatment of rainwater harvested in Southern Europe can reduce environmental and health risks posed by PTEs, while enhancing the region’s resilience to climate change and water scarcity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Quality Challenges in Southern Europe under an Increasingly Warmer and Drier Climate Scenario)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop