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Li M, Cai Y, Zhang Y, Carlson PE, Dong R, Gong Z, Zhang Y, Li K. Impacts of habitat alteration on macroinvertebrates in large shallow lakes: An application of a macroinvertebrate-based multimetric index. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 38837538 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Habitat plays a crucial role in shaping the macroinvertebrate community structure in large shallow lakes. In the pursuit of improving the health of freshwater ecosystems, it is imperative to consider their habitat characteristics. To evaluate the impact of habitat variations on lake ecological health, we developed a macroinvertebrate-based multimetric index (MMI) for both the pelagic and littoral zones of Lake Hongze. Additionally, we employed structural equation models to explore the influence of utilization or phytoplankton biomass on ecological health. Historical data served as reference conditions for the pelagic. Seven key attributes were selected for the pelagic MMI, that is, Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP), the percentage of Mollusca taxa, the percentage of filter-collector taxa, the percentage of predator taxa, the percentage of gather-collector taxa, and the percentage of sensitive taxa and functional dispersion. The least minimally disturbed conditions and the best attainable conditions were used to develop the littoral. Four key metrics, that is, the percentage of scraper abundance, Mollusca taxa, Biological Pollution Index, and BMWP, were integrated into the littoral MMI. The assessment based on MMI revealed a "poor" health status for the pelagic zone and a "fair" health status for the littoral zone. These findings underscore the high applicability and efficacy of MMIs in assessing and monitoring ecological health in Lake Hongze. Notably, functional feeding groups exhibited heightened sensitivity to disturbance in both zones. Moreover, sediment organic matter strongly influenced the pelagic ecological health, while chlorophyll a and transparency emerged as primary factors influencing the littoral zone, attributable to varying littoral zone utilization. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-11. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Li
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongjiu Cai
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Water Resources Planning Bureau of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China
| | - Peter E Carlson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhijun Gong
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - You Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kuanyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Onen P, Akemkwene R, Nakiguli CK, Nimusiima D, Ruma DH, Khanakwa AV, Angiro C, Bamanya G, Opio B, Gonzaga A, Omara T. Health Risks from Intake and Contact with Toxic Metal-Contaminated Water from Pager River, Uganda. J Xenobiot 2023; 13:544-559. [PMID: 37873812 PMCID: PMC10594420 DOI: 10.3390/jox13040035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollution of water resources is one of the major impediments to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical quality and potentially toxic element (lead and cadmium) concentrations in surface water sampled from Pager River, a tributary of the Nile River in Northern Uganda. Water samples (n = 18) were taken from six different points upstream (A, B, and C) and downstream (D, E, and F) of the river and analyzed following standard methods for their physiochemical properties. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to quantify lead and cadmium concentrations. Human health risks from ingestion and dermal contact with potentially toxic metal-contaminated water were calculated. The results obtained indicated that the mean temperature (27.7 ± 0.5-29.5 ± 0.8 °C), turbidity (40.7 ± 2.1-50.1 ± 1.1 NTU), lead (0.296 ± 0.030-0.576 ± 0.163 mg/L) and cadmium (0.278 ± 0.040-0.524 ± 0.040 mg/L) occurred at levels that surpassed their permissible limits as per World Health Organization guidelines for drinking water. Human health risk assessment showed that there are potential non-cancer risks from the ingestion of water from Pager River by adults, as the total hazard quotients were greater than one. These results emphasize the urgency to restrict the dumping of wastes into the river to minimize chances of impacting the Nile River, which flows northwards to the Mediterranean Sea. Further studies should perform routine monitoring of the river during both dry and wet seasons to establish the spatiotemporal variations of physicochemical, microbial, and trace metal profiles of the river and the associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Onen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695581, India
| | - Robin Akemkwene
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Education and Humanities, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, Uganda
| | - Caroline K. Nakiguli
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
| | - Daniel Nimusiima
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
| | - Daniel Hendry Ruma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Kyambogo University, Kampala P.O. Box 1, Uganda
| | - Alice V. Khanakwa
- Department of Environmental Health and Disease Prevention, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira P.O. Box 1035, Uganda
| | - Christopher Angiro
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Gadson Bamanya
- Department of Physical Sciences, Kampala International University, Kampala P.O. Box 20000, Uganda
| | - Boniface Opio
- Department of Science and Vocational Education, Lira University, Lira P.O. Box 1035, Uganda
| | - Allan Gonzaga
- Department of Physical Sciences, Kampala International University, Kampala P.O. Box 20000, Uganda
| | - Timothy Omara
- Chemistry Division, Testing Department, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Kampala P.O. Box 6329, Uganda
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Caixeta ES, Meza Bravo JV, Pereira BB. Ecotoxicological assessment of water and sediment river samples to evaluate the environmental risks of anthropogenic contamination. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 306:135595. [PMID: 35809747 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown the issue of effluent discharges as a source of contamination into waterways. Still, the impact of chemical pollutants on sediment is less well understood, especially from an ecotoxicological perspective, even though it is known that chemicals from industrial processes are frequently released into river systems. Therefore, here we compared water-sediment samples collected in high-anthropogenic urban area and low-anthropogenic peri-urban area. We have used physicochemical parameters, genotoxicity assay, bioindication and acute and surviving chronic toxicity tests - in an integrated biological assessment. Results suggest no acute toxicity related to exposure to samples from both areas. Still, samples collected in the high-anthropogenic urban area were associated with chronic toxicity effects in D. magna. Heavy metals Pb, Cu, and Cr were found in all samples. Even having all averages below the allowed level as determined by CONAMA (Resolution 420-Class 2), the Water Quality Index (WQI) score showed us that samples from high-anthropogenic sites were identified as "Poor," and samples from low-anthropogenic sites were identified as "Good." Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Odonata, which are very sensitive organisms, were largely absent in high-anthropogenic areas, showing that it is likely to be associated with WQI. Therefore, careful consideration should be applied to monitoring effluent discharges using predictive tests, considering the environmental risks of sediment contamination and its consequences on the total environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Siqueira Caixeta
- Federal University of Uberlandia, Institute of Biotechnology, Umuarama Campus, Avenida Pará, 1720, 38.400-902 Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Vitor Meza Bravo
- Federal University of Uberlandia, Institute of Geography, Santa Monica Campus, Avenida João Naves de Ávila, 2121, 38.408-100, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Boscolli Barbosa Pereira
- Federal University of Uberlandia, Institute of Geography, Santa Monica Campus, Avenida João Naves de Ávila, 2121, 38.408-100, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Water Quality Analysis in a Subtropical River with an Adapted Biomonitoring Working Party (BMWP) Index. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13110606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Subtropical rivers in developing countries often lack adequate monitoring, which makes it difficult to comprehensively determine their water quality when faced with different anthropic impacts. There are no proper protocols in the regulations to incorporate indicators and adapt them to different biogeographic regions, limiting the potential success of conservation and restoration of river ecosystems. This study proposes implementing macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality in river ecosystems, and modifying the calibration of the widely used Biomonitoring Working Party (BMWP) index for its adaptation in a subtropical river. The Duero River, Mexico, was used as an example in this study. Data were explored with multivariate statistics, and the water quality and habitat values were averaged to obtain the families’ bioindication values and the index categories. The BMWP adequately described a deterioration gradient from the origin to the river mouth (from fair to extremely polluted), with some intermediate recovery points related to the presence of springs. Its performance was compared with other biological indices and exhibited a positive relationship with all of them. In addition, how BMWP changed over time was analyzed by examining previous samples, and highlighted increased river deterioration over time. A calibrated BMWP will allow for long-term monitoring at a low cost.
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Rwenzori Score (RS): A Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index for Biomonitoring Rivers and Streams in the Rwenzori Region, Uganda. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su122410473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Rwenzori region in Uganda, a global biodiversity hotspot, is currently undergoing exponential economic and population growth, which puts continuous stress on its freshwater ecosystems. In Sub-Saharan Africa, biomonitoring campaigns using region-specific biotic indices is limited, particularly in Uganda. In this research, we present the Rwenzori Score (RS), a new macroinvertebrate-based biotic index developed to specifically assess the aquatic health of Rwenzori streams and rivers. We collected and measured both biological and physicochemical variables and identified 34,202 macroinvertebrates, belonging to 64 different taxa. The RS was developed in two steps. First, using canonical ordination, we identified chemical variables that correlated significantly with gradients in macroinvertebrate assemblage distribution and diversity. Second, based on selected variables and weighted averages, we determined specific family indicator values and assigned pollution tolerance values (varying from 1: tolerant; to 10: sensitive) to a family. Finally, we established four water quality classes: poor, fair, good, and excellent. The RS is highly correlated with the Average Score Per Taxon System (p < 0.05), a well-known and widely used biotic index. The RS has 5 unique taxa that are not included in other regional indices. In this regard, the development of the RS is a beneficial tool for tailor-made biomonitoring that can contribute to the sustainable development of the Rwenzori stream and river basins.
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