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Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration
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Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2025) | Viewed by 11941

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ruiming Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
Interests: eutrophication; cyanobacterial blooms; ecological remediation; biogeochemistry; sediment; aquatic ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xin Leng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
Interests: conservation biology; population ecology; community ecology; biodiversity; food web structure; Lake Taihu
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Access to safe and sufficient water directly affects our health and quality of life. Due to industrial pollution, agricultural pollution, urban drainage, etc., the freshwater ecosystem has been confronted with eutrophication, blackening, mal-odor, heavy metal pollution, and other issues, which have seriously affected the quality of the urban ecological environment and the living environment of residents. This Special Issue of Water focuses on the current state of research on water pollution control, especially regarding the ecological restoration of degraded lakes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, etc., for the sustainable management of both urban and rural waters.

Ecological restoration techniques for improving water quality involve a mixture of physical, chemical, and technological methods. These include dredging, flushing, aeration, adsorption, disinfection and phytoremediation, and microbial remediation. The proper assemblage of multiple techniques is of practical importance to ensure the success of restoration and to lead to long-term stability. Innovation in materials and equipment, the revealing of mechanisms and pathways, and the monitoring and evaluation of water and ecological parameters have brought about continuous developments and research hotspots for the ecological restoration of polluted water.

This Special Issue aims to gather high-quality papers with findings that emphasize different aspects of water pollution control and ecological restoration.

Prof. Dr. Ruiming Han
Dr. Xin Leng
Guest Editors

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.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1619 KiB  
Article
Effects of Tide Dikes on the Distribution and Accumulation Risk of Trace Metals in the Coastal Wetlands of Laizhou Bay, China
by Yuanfen Xia, Xiaofeng Ling, Yan Fang, Zhen Xu, Jiayuan Liu and Fude Liu
Water 2024, 16(22), 3230; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223230 - 10 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 805
Abstract
Tide dikes play a key role in preventing seawater intrusion in coastal regions; however, their effects on trace metal distribution and accumulation remain unclear. This study explored the distribution and enrichment of trace metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) inside and [...] Read more.
Tide dikes play a key role in preventing seawater intrusion in coastal regions; however, their effects on trace metal distribution and accumulation remain unclear. This study explored the distribution and enrichment of trace metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) inside and outside tide dikes in Laizhou Bay. The accumulative risk of these metals in the two habitats was analyzed by combining their sources. The results show that the average enrichment factor, geological accumulation index, and potential ecological risk index of As in the outside habitat are significantly higher than those in the inside habitat (p < 0.001), which indicates that the tide dike effectively reduces the migration of As from outside to inside habitats. For other trace metals, no statistical differences were found between the two habitats. Based on principal component analysis and redundancy analysis of trace metals and their correlations with soil physicochemical properties, we speculated that Cr and Zn may derive from soil parent material and rock weathering. Cu, Pb, and Ni may be related to atmospheric nitrogen deposition resulting from nearby agricultural activities, and As may come from industrial wastewater or transport through seagoing rivers. The findings suggest that tide dikes effectively block exogenous trace metals but not those from natural sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration)
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19 pages, 5313 KiB  
Article
Exploring Spatial Dynamics of Water Quality in a Tropical Lake Affected by Aquaculture
by Marta Wojewódka-Przybył, Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Puti Sri Komala, Reni Nastuti, Luki Subehi, Noverita Dian Takarina and Jumari Jumari
Water 2024, 16(21), 3079; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213079 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1560
Abstract
Lake Maninjau, like many surface water bodies worldwide, faces significant water pollution challenges due to extensive aquaculture activities, making it an ideal site to study the impact of fish farming on water quality, which has contributed to eutrophication and declining water quality. This [...] Read more.
Lake Maninjau, like many surface water bodies worldwide, faces significant water pollution challenges due to extensive aquaculture activities, making it an ideal site to study the impact of fish farming on water quality, which has contributed to eutrophication and declining water quality. This study investigates the physicochemical parameters and pollution levels in the lake, aiming to provide insights into its environmental health. In August 2022, a comprehensive sampling campaign was undertaken at nine stations within the upper layers of open water and littoral zones of Lake Maninjau. In situ measurements, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH, were conducted, accompanied by water sample collection for laboratory analysis of trace elements and heavy metals. Our study revealed notable variability in water parameters across different sites, with surface water layers exhibiting the greatest differences. While certain parameters such as temperature and conductivity remain relatively stable, pH levels show a decreasing trend with increasing water depth. Dissolved oxygen levels vary widely, while oxidation–reduction potential indicates water pollution, particularly in littoral zones. Potassium dominance within cations likely suggests anthropogenic influences, notably from aquaculture activities, that may also contribute to nutrient enrichment and heavy metal pollution. Elevated levels of total nitrogen and ammonia underscore the lake’s moderate pollution levels, with heavy metals such as mercury exceeding permissible limits, posing risks to aquatic life and human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration)
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17 pages, 1808 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Operational Safety Risk in Wastewater Treatment Plants Based on WSR and Matter–Element Extension Theory
by Xin Liu, Zicheng Wang, Dianqi Pan, Yichen Zhang, Jiquan Zhang and Yanan Chen
Water 2024, 16(20), 2925; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16202925 - 15 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1528
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants are of significant importance in facilitating China’s urbanization process. The fundamental purpose of wastewater treatment plants is to control water pollution and protect the environment. It is therefore essential that they are operated in a safe manner in order to [...] Read more.
Wastewater treatment plants are of significant importance in facilitating China’s urbanization process. The fundamental purpose of wastewater treatment plants is to control water pollution and protect the environment. It is therefore essential that they are operated in a safe manner in order to achieve this goal. In order to guarantee a systematic and objective assessment of the operational safety risks inherent to wastewater treatment plants, the Wuli–Shili–Renli (WSR) theory has been introduced. Accordingly, a three-dimensional evaluation index system was developed for the assessment of these risks. A combination of subjective and objective methods utilizing game theory was employed to determine comprehensive risk factor weights. Subsequently, the material–element extension theory model was implemented in a wastewater treatment plant situated in the northern region of the Changchun Development Zone. The assessment classified the plant as Level 1 (safe), although it was determined that improvements in accident prevention are necessary. This study presents a robust framework for operational safety assessment that contributes to enhanced risk management and the long-term reliability of wastewater treatment operations. The results of the sensitivity analyses provide substantial evidence of the reliability and validity of the model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration)
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16 pages, 2149 KiB  
Article
Effects of a Fishing Ban on the Ecosystem Stability and Water Quality of a Plateau Lake: A Case Study of Caohai Lake, China
by Tangwu Yang, Dianpeng Li, Qing Xu, Yijia Zhu, Zhengjie Zhu, Xin Leng, Dehua Zhao and Shuqing An
Water 2024, 16(5), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050782 - 6 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2129
Abstract
Long-term fishing bans have spurred extensive debate regarding their impacts on ecosystem structures, functions, and water qualities. However, data on the effects of specific changes induced by fishing bans on ecosystem structures, functions, and water qualities in lakes are still lacking. Therefore, the [...] Read more.
Long-term fishing bans have spurred extensive debate regarding their impacts on ecosystem structures, functions, and water qualities. However, data on the effects of specific changes induced by fishing bans on ecosystem structures, functions, and water qualities in lakes are still lacking. Therefore, the present study addresses this knowledge gap by employing an Ecopath model to assess alterations in an ecosystem’s structure and function before (2011) and after (2021) the implementation of the fishing ban in Caohai Lake and its association with changes in water quality. (1) We observed a substantial reduction in the area covered by submerged aquatic vegetation after the ban, amounting to a 65% decrease in coverage compared with that before the ban, and a 60% reduction in the total ecosystem’s biomass. (2) Following the ban, the number of fish species increased from 7 to 14, and this was accompanied by a rise in the fish biomass from 14.16 t·km−2 to 25.81 t·km−2; a 4.5-fold increase in the total system consumption was observed, signifying accelerated energy and material flows within the ecosystem. (3) The fishing ban exhibited no significant impact on the total nitrogen concentration; however, it significantly reduced the water’s transparency and increased the total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and chlorophyll contents (p < 0.05). This shift in nutrient dynamics fostered a transformation from a macrophyte-dominant lake to an alga-dominant lake. The fish abundance and diversity increase in closed-type macrophytic lakes, thereby accelerating energy and material flows within food webs. These findings present novel insights into the effective policy management of fishing bans within the Yangtze River Basin, thus enhancing our understanding of sustainable lake ecosystem management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration)
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13 pages, 1862 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Land Use and Biological Invasions on Ecological Service Values of Coastal Wetland Ecosystems: A Case Study in Jiangsu Province, China
by Yuhan Jiang, Yipeng Yao, Ghulam Mustafa, Xinxin Ren, Cheng Chen, Weize Wu, Jiayuan Liu and Yuhong Liu
Water 2024, 16(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010056 - 22 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1734
Abstract
Land use/land cover changes (LULCCs) and biological invasions significantly impact coastal wetlands (CWs) and their ecosystem services and functions. The exact impacts, however, are difficult to quantify and are often neglected in policymaking. The evaluation of ecological service value (ESV) is conducive to [...] Read more.
Land use/land cover changes (LULCCs) and biological invasions significantly impact coastal wetlands (CWs) and their ecosystem services and functions. The exact impacts, however, are difficult to quantify and are often neglected in policymaking. The evaluation of ecological service value (ESV) is conducive to clarifying the ecological and environmental changes caused by LULCCs and biological invasions. The objective of this study was to investigate their impact on CWs in Jiangsu Province, China, and provide useful information and advice for policymakers concerned with sustainable development. In this paper, basic data were obtained through geographic information system technology, and CW ecosystems’ services were calculated via the ESV coefficients per unit area of different wetland types. Accordingly, this study found the current land use methods responsible for significant ecosystem disruption and reductions in the area of natural vegetation. Currently, the area of natural vegetation only accounts for 43% of the total area recorded in 1987. In 2018, the total ESV of wetland vegetation (Spartina, Phragmites, and Suaeda) was estimated to be USD 14.10 million, while that of farmland was USD 8.58 million, and that of forests was USD 2.09 million. Natural vegetation only covered 9% of the total land area but produced 60% of the total ESV. Spartina alterniflora exhibited the highest ESV per unit area, with USD 1.35 million. However, the CWs of Jiangsu Province have recently shown a shift in vegetation composition due to the invasion of Spartina alterniflora. Currently, the dominant species in these CWs are Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis, while the local population of Suaeda salsa has significantly declined. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the preservation and restoration of wetland vegetation, control the invasive potential of Spartina alterniflora, and consider the implementation of suitable protective measures for native plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration)
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Review

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19 pages, 1796 KiB  
Review
Review of the Occurrence of Herbicides in Environmental Waters of Taihu Lake Basin and Its Potential Impact on Submerged Plants
by Yangyang Zhang, Min Hu and Aimin Li
Water 2024, 16(5), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050726 - 29 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2628
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, a series of problems caused by eutrophication in Taihu Lake, and its surrounding environmental waters has received sustained and widespread attention. With the gradual extinction of submerged plants, which are the important basis for maintaining the aquatic ecological [...] Read more.
Over the past 20 years, a series of problems caused by eutrophication in Taihu Lake, and its surrounding environmental waters has received sustained and widespread attention. With the gradual extinction of submerged plants, which are the important basis for maintaining the aquatic ecological health of lakes, Taihu Lake has shifted from a grass-type clearwater lake to an algae-type turbid lake, posing severe challenges to the aquatic ecological health and security in this region. In addition, the occurrence of herbicides in the environmental waters of the Taihu Lake region has attracted the attention of several researchers. This study reviewed the evolution of submerged plants in Taihu Lake over recent decades. Moreover, the use of herbicides in the Taihu Lake region and their environmental occurrence in the past 20 years were statistically analyzed, and their toxic effects on submerged plants in previous reports summarized. Then, the potential impact of the environmental occurrence concentration of herbicides on submerged plants in the Taihu Lake region was evaluated. In conclusion, according to the results reported in the past paper, the environmental herbicide concentration in Taihu Lake has sometimes reached a level that can affect a variety of submerged plants, especially in the germination stage, which means that as an important cause of the degradation of submerged plants in shallow lakes, the effect of herbicides needs to be paid more attention to. The results of this review offer significant guidance for promoting science-based and standard use of herbicides and preventing their ecological risks in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration)
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