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Ramírez SB, van Meerveld I, Seibert J. Citizen science approaches for water quality measurements. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165436. [PMID: 37433338 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science has become a widely used approach in water quality studies. Although there are literature reviews about citizen science and water quality assessments, an overview of the most commonly used methods and their strengths and weaknesses is still lacking. Therefore, we reviewed the scientific literature on citizen science for surface water quality assessments and examined the methods and strategies used by the 72 studies that fulfilled our search criteria. Special attention was given to the parameters monitored, the monitoring tools, and the spatial and temporal resolution of the data collected in these studies. In addition, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches used in water quality assessments and their potential to complement traditional hydrological monitoring and research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan Seibert
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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2
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Moshi HA, Shilla DA, Brehim J, Kimirei I, O'Reilly C, Loiselle S. Sustainable Management of the African Great Lake Coastal Areas: Motivations and Perspectives of Community Citizen Scientists. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023:10.1007/s00267-023-01824-x. [PMID: 37154906 PMCID: PMC10371893 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The long-term sustainability of the African Great Lakes is strongly connected to the management and monitoring of their coastal areas. Yet, the communities that live in these areas are rarely involved in monitoring and have limited influence on key management issues. Furthermore, regulatory activities and knowledge sharing in these transnational ecosystems are strongly limited by funding and infrastructure limitations. Citizen science has great potential to advance both scientific and public understanding of the state of the environment. However, there remains a limited understanding of participants' motivations and expectations, especially in developing countries, where citizen science has great potential to complement regulatory monitoring. The present study explores the motivations of citizen scientists in villages along Lake Tanganyika's northern coast and their potential to take a more active role in lake management. Motivations were examined through qualitative interviews, focus groups, and quantitative surveys with 110 citizen scientists and 110 non-citizen scientists from participating villages. Key motivational factors identified were the desire to contribute to scientific research and local knowledge, as well as aspects of financial compensation. The results confirm that participation in citizen science provides many benefits to participants beyond their role as data aggregators and final knowledge users. However, the incentives to participation varied to those typically considered in citizen science programs conducted in developed countries. To create sustainable long-term community based environmental monitoring, these motivations should be incorporated in the program design and participant recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Happiness Anold Moshi
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Kigoma Centre P.O. Box 90, Kigoma, Tanzania.
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Daniel Abel Shilla
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Joan Brehim
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Campus Box 4660, Schroeder Hall 332, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790-4660, USA
| | - Ismael Kimirei
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Dar es Salaam Headquarters, P.O. Box 9750, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Catherine O'Reilly
- Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
| | - Steven Loiselle
- Earthwatch Europe, 255 Banbury Road, Oxford, UK.
- University of Siena, INSTM, Via Aldo Moro 2, Siena, Italy.
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3
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Moshi HA, Kimirei I, Shilla D, O'Reilly C, Wehrli B, Ehrenfels B, Loiselle S. Citizen scientist monitoring accurately reveals nutrient pollution dynamics in Lake Tanganyika coastal waters. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:689. [PMID: 35984535 PMCID: PMC9391239 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10354-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Several studies in Lake Tanganyika have effectively employed traditional methods to explore changes in water quality in open waters; however, coastal monitoring has been restricted and sporadic, relying on costly sample and analytical methods that require skilled technical staff. This study aims in validating citizen science water quality collected data (nitrate, phosphate and turbidity) with those collected and measured by professional scientists in the laboratory. A second objective of the study is to use citizen scientist data to identify the patterns of seasonal and spatial variations in nutrient conditions and forecast potential changes based on expected changes in population and climate (to 2050). The results showed that the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate measured by citizen scientists nearly matched those established by professional scientists, with overall accuracy of 91% and 74%, respectively. For total suspended solids measured by professional and turbidity measured by citizen scientists, results show that, using 14 NTU as a cut-off, citizen scientist measurements of Secchi tube depth to identify lake TSS below 7.0 mg/L showed an accuracy of 88%. In both laboratory and citizen scientist-based studies, all measured water quality variables were significantly higher during the wet season compared to the dry season. Climate factors were discovered to have a major impact on the likelihood of exceeding water quality restrictions in the next decades (2050), which could deteriorate lake conditions. Upscaling citizen science to more communities on the lake and other African Great Lakes would raise environmental awareness, inform management and mitigation activities, and aid long-term decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Happiness A Moshi
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Kigoma Centre, P.O. Box 90, Kigoma, Tanzania.
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Ismael Kimirei
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Dar es Salaam Headquarters, P.O. Box 9750, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Daniel Shilla
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Catherine O'Reilly
- Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
| | - Bernhard Wehrli
- Department Surface Waters - Research and Management, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt Ehrenfels
- Department Surface Waters - Research and Management, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steven Loiselle
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, University of Siena, INSTM, Via Aldo Moro 2, Siena, Italy.
- Earthwatch Europe, 256 Banbury Road, Oxford, UK.
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4
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Moshi HA, Shilla DA, Kimirei IA, O’ Reilly C, Clymans W, Bishop I, Loiselle SA. Community monitoring of coliform pollution in Lake Tanganyika. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262881. [PMID: 35089939 PMCID: PMC8797266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional water quality monitoring has been done for decades in Lake Tanganyika, under different national and international programs. However, these projects utilized monitoring approaches, which were temporally limited, labour intensive and costly. This study examines the use of citizen science to monitor the dynamics of coliform concentrations in Lake Tanganyika as a complementary method to statutory and project-focused measurements. Persons in five coastal communities (Kibirizi, Ilagala, Karago, Ujiji and Gombe) were trained and monitored total coliforms, faecal coliforms and turbidity for one year on a monthly basis, in parallel with professional scientists. A standardized and calibrated Secchi tube was used at the same time to determine turbidity. Results indicate that total and faecal coliform concentrations determined by citizen scientists correlated well to those determined by professional scientists. Furthermore, citizen scientist-based turbidity values were shown to provide a potential indicator for high FC and TC concentrations. As a simple tiered approach to identify increased coliform loads, trained local citizen scientists could use low-cost turbidity measurements with follow up sampling and analysis for coliforms, to inform their communities and regulatory bodies of high risk conditions, as well as to validate local mitigation actions. By comparing the spatial and temporal dynamics of coliform concentrations to local conditions of infrastructure, population, precipitation and hydrology in the 15 sites (3 sites per community) over 12 months, potential drivers of coliform pollution in these communities were identified, largely related to precipitation dynamics and the land use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Happiness Anold Moshi
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Kigoma Centre, Kigoma, Tanzania
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Daniel Abel Shilla
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ismael Aaron Kimirei
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Dar es Salaam Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Catherine O’ Reilly
- Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United States of America
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Ecosystem Services Evaluation of Nature-Based Solutions with the Help of Citizen Scientists. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131910629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ecosystem services are increasingly being considered in decision-making with respect to mitigating future climate impacts. In this respect, there is a clear need to identify how nature-based solutions (NBS) can benefit specific ecosystem services, in particular within the complex spatial and temporal dynamics that characterize most river catchments. To capture these changes, ecosystem models require spatially explicit data that are often difficult to obtain for model development and validation. Citizen science allows for the participation of trained citizen volunteers in research or regulatory activities, resulting in increased data collection and increased participation of the general public in resource management. Despite the increasing experience in citizen science, these approaches have seldom been used in the modeling of provisioning ecosystem services. In the present study, we examined the temporal and spatial drivers in nutrient delivery in a major Italian river catchment and under different NBS scenarios. Information on climate, land use, soil and river conditions, as well as future climate scenarios, were used to explore future (2050) benefits of NBS on local and catchment scale nutrient loads and nutrient export. We estimate the benefits of a reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus export to the river and the receiving waters (Adriatic Sea) with respect to the costs associated with individual and combined NBS approaches related to river restoration and catchment reforestation.
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Velez P, Tapia-Torres Y, García-Oliva F, Gasca-Pineda J. Small-scale variation in a pristine montane cloud forest: evidence on high soil fungal diversity and biogeochemical heterogeneity. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11956. [PMID: 34447634 PMCID: PMC8364316 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Montane cloud forests are fragile biodiversity hotspots. To attain their conservation, disentangling diversity patterns at all levels of ecosystem organization is mandatory. Biotic communities are regularly structured by environmental factors even at small spatial scales. However, studies at this scale have received less attention with respect to larger macroscale explorations, hampering the robust view of ecosystem functioning. In this sense, fungal small-scale processes remain poorly understood in montane cloud forests, despite their relevance. Herein, we analyzed soil fungal diversity and ecological patterns at the small-scale (within a 10 m triangular transect) in a pristine montane cloud forest of Mexico, using ITS rRNA gene amplicon Illumina sequencing and biogeochemical profiling. We detected a taxonomically and functionally diverse fungal community, dominated by few taxa and a large majority of rare species (81%). Undefined saprotrophs represented the most abundant trophic guild. Moreover, soil biogeochemical data showed an environmentally heterogeneous setting with patchy clustering, where enzymatic activities suggest distinctive small-scale soil patterns. Our results revealed that in this system, deterministic processes largely drive the assemblage of fungal communities at the small-scale, through multifactorial environmental filtering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Velez
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yunuen Tapia-Torres
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Felipe García-Oliva
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Jaime Gasca-Pineda
- UBIPRO, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estado de México, Mexico
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Comparing Wetland Ecosystems Service Provision under Different Management Approaches: Two Cases Study of Tianfu Wetland and Nansha Wetland in China. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13168710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The largest blue-green infrastructures in industrialized, urbanized and developed regions in China are often multiuse wetlands, located just outside growing urban centers. These areas have multiple development pressures while providing environmental, economic, and social benefits to the local and regional populations. Given the limited information available about the tradeoffs in ecosystem services with respect to competing wetland uses, wetland managers and provincial decision makers face challenges in regulating the use of these important landscapes. In the present study, measurements made by citizen scientists were used to support a comparative study of water quality and wetland functions in two large multiuse wetlands, comparing areas of natural wetland vegetation, tourism-based wetland management and wetland agriculture. The study sites, the Nansha and Tianfu wetlands, are located in two of the most urbanized areas of China: the lower Yangtze River and Pearl River catchments, respectively. Our results indicated that the capacity of wetlands to mitigate water quality is closely related to the quality of the surrounding waters and hydrological conditions. Agricultural areas in both wetlands provided the lowest sediment and nutrient retention. The results show that the delivery of supporting ecosystem services is strongly influenced by the location and use of the wetland. Furthermore, we show that citizen scientist-acquired data can provide fundamental information on quantifying these ecosystem services, providing needed information to wetland park managers and provincial wetland administrators.
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Mooney RJ, Stanley EH, Rosenthal WC, Esselman PC, Kendall AD, McIntyre PB. Outsized nutrient contributions from small tributaries to a Great Lake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:28175-28182. [PMID: 33106397 PMCID: PMC7668162 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2001376117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading is one of the greatest threats to aquatic ecosystems in the Anthropocene, causing eutrophication of rivers, lakes, and marine coastlines worldwide. For lakes across the United States, eutrophication is driven largely by nonpoint nutrient sources from tributaries that drain surrounding watersheds. Decades of monitoring and regulatory efforts have paid little attention to small tributaries of large water bodies, despite their ubiquity and potential local importance. We used a snapshot of nutrient inputs from nearly all tributaries of Lake Michigan-the world's fifth largest freshwater lake by volume-to determine how land cover and dams alter nutrient inputs across watershed sizes. Loads, concentrations, stoichiometry (N:P), and bioavailability (percentage dissolved inorganic nutrients) varied by orders of magnitude among tributaries, creating a mosaic of coastal nutrient inputs. The 6 largest of 235 tributaries accounted for ∼70% of the daily N and P delivered to Lake Michigan. However, small tributaries exhibited nutrient loads that were high for their size and biased toward dissolved inorganic forms. Higher bioavailability of nutrients from small watersheds suggests greater potential to fuel algal blooms in coastal areas, especially given the likelihood that their plumes become trapped and then overlap in the nearshore zone. Our findings reveal an underappreciated role that small streams may play in driving coastal eutrophication in large water bodies. Although they represent only a modest proportion of lake-wide loads, expanding nutrient management efforts to address smaller watersheds could reduce the ecological impacts of nutrient loading on valuable nearshore ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Mooney
- Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706;
| | - Emily H Stanley
- Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - William C Rosenthal
- Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071
| | - Peter C Esselman
- Great Lakes Science Center, US Geological Survey, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
| | - Anthony D Kendall
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Peter B McIntyre
- Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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9
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Rocha L, Hegoburu C, Torremorell A, Feijoó C, Navarro E, Fernández HR. Use of ecosystem health indicators for assessing anthropogenic impacts on freshwaters in Argentina: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:611. [PMID: 32870472 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08559-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Indicators of ecosystem health are effective tools to assess freshwater ecosystem impairment. However, they are scarcely used as a monitoring tool by local environmental agencies in Argentina. Here, we review the literature to analyze the use of ecosystem health indicators in freshwaters from Argentina. We found 91 scientific articles relating to the use of ecological indices to assess the impact of different environmental stressors in aquatic environments published between 1996 and 2019. We generated Google Earth map where we deployed the sampling sites and type of indices reported by each article. As biological indices were the most used, we also surveyed bioindication experts to gather information on their application. We found that most studies were concentrated mainly in Pampas (34%), Dry Chaco (20%), Espinal (12%), and Patagonian Steppe (10%) ecoregions. Biological indices (mainly with invertebrates) were more used than geomorphological or physico-chemical indices. Indices resulted useful to evaluate the impact of stressors in 63% of cases, being land use the most studied stressor. However, sampling design varied greatly among studies, making their comparison difficult. The information compiled here could help to the design of monitoring protocols, the adoption of regional indices, and the creation of a national inventory of ecosystem health status, which are mandatory to propose well-grounded conservation and management policies for freshwaters in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Rocha
- Aquatic Ecology Group (GIEA), INEDES (CONICET-UNLu), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Cecilia Hegoburu
- Freshwater Biogeochemistry Programme (BED), INEDES (CONICET-UNLu), Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Torremorell
- Ecology Program of Protists and Fungi (PEPHON), INEDES (CONICET-UNLu), Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Feijoó
- Ecology Program of Protists and Fungi (PEPHON), INEDES (CONICET-UNLu), Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enrique Navarro
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology, Spanish National Research Council (IPE-CSIC), 50059, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Hugo R Fernández
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, IBN (CONICET-UNT), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
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10
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Paracampo A, Marrochi N, GarcÍa I, Maiztegui T, Carriquiriborde P, Bonetto C, Mugni H. Fish Assemblages in Pampean Streams (Buenos Aires, Argentina): Relationship to Abiotic and Anthropic Variables. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2020; 92:e20190476. [PMID: 32556051 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202020190476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study reported the effect of natural and anthropic environmental variables on the fish assemblages in the pampean streams, in the coastal strip along the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Five streams were sampled at 12 sites surrounded by land devoted to different uses. A correspondence analysis sorted the streams into two groups: a less impacted group formed by sites surrounded by livestock- raising pastures and a more impacted one passing through urban sites and including a stream adjacent to a modest rural urbanization with a dairy in the stream's basin. The nutrient concentrations were significantly higher in the more impacted group; with species richness, diversity, abundance, and biomass being significantly lower. A canonical-correspondence analysis linked the more impacted sites to high concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus and impoverished fish assemblages, composed of species tolerant to environmental pollution. On the other hand, sites with higher oxygen concentrations and pH were related to richer assemblages pointing to good environmental conditions at the sites surrounded by livestock-raising pastures. The downstream sites on the less impacted streams contained fish assemblages in which the juvenile stages of species corresponding to the Río de la Plata were dominant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Paracampo
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (ILPLA), CONICET-CCT La Plata-UNLP, Boulevard 120 y 62, Nº 1437, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Marrochi
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (ILPLA), CONICET-CCT La Plata-UNLP, Boulevard 120 y 62, Nº 1437, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio GarcÍa
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (ILPLA), CONICET-CCT La Plata-UNLP, Boulevard 120 y 62, Nº 1437, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - TomÁs Maiztegui
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (ILPLA), CONICET-CCT La Plata-UNLP, Boulevard 120 y 62, Nº 1437, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pedro Carriquiriborde
- Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambiente (CIM), CONICET, UNLP, Boulevard 120 Nº 1489, 1900, La Plata Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Bonetto
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (ILPLA), CONICET-CCT La Plata-UNLP, Boulevard 120 y 62, Nº 1437, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - HernÁn Mugni
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (ILPLA), CONICET-CCT La Plata-UNLP, Boulevard 120 y 62, Nº 1437, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Ceccaroni L, Piera J, Wernand MR, Zielinski O, Busch JA, Van Der Woerd HJ, Bardaji R, Friedrichs A, Novoa S, Thijsse P, Velickovski F, Blaas M, Dubsky K. Citclops: A next-generation sensor system for the monitoring of natural waters and a citizens' observatory for the assessment of ecosystems' status. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230084. [PMID: 32214341 PMCID: PMC7098649 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The European-Commission—funded project ‘Citclops’ (Citizens’ observatory for coast and ocean optical monitoring) developed methods, tools and sensors, which can be used by citizens to monitor natural waters, with a strong focus on long-term data series related to environmental sciences. The new sensors, based on optical technologies, respond to a number of scientific, technical and societal objectives, ranging from more precise monitoring of key environmental descriptors of the aquatic environment (water colour, transparency and fluorescence) to an improved management of data collected with citizen participation. The sensors were tested, calibrated, integrated on several platforms, scientifically validated and demonstrated in the field. The new methods and tools were tested in a citizen-science context. The general conclusion is that citizens are valuable contributors in quality and quantity to the objective of collecting, integrating and analysing fragmented and diverse environmental data. An integration of these data into data-analysis tools has a large potential to support authoritative monitoring and decision-making. In this paper, the project’s objectives, results, technical achievements and lessons learned are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaume Piera
- ICM, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcel R. Wernand
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Hoorn, Netherlands
| | - Oliver Zielinski
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Marine Perception Research Group, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Julia A. Busch
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Marine Perception Research Group, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, Oldenburg, Germany
- Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | | | - Raul Bardaji
- Marine Technology Unit, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Friedrichs
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Meinte Blaas
- Rijkswaterstaat Water Transport & Environment, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Karin Dubsky
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University of Dublin Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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12
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Quinlivan L, Chapman DV, Sullivan T. Applying citizen science to monitor for the Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 6.3.2: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:218. [PMID: 32144562 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-8193-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations has called for increased public participation in scientific research, to benefit professionals, the public and the planet. Citizen science has been suggested as a cost-effective means by which this call can be met, and by which monitoring for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may be carried out. Indeed, citizen science has gained significant attention in recent years as the scale of environmental issues surpasses the monitoring resources that currently exist. However, many challenges continue to act as a barrier to the acceptance of citizen science as a reliable scientific approach. Here, the current state of knowledge on the use of citizen science in water quality monitoring is reviewed, and the potential for utilizing this approach to enhance monitoring for SDG Indicator 6.3.2 on the "proportion of bodies of water of good ambient water quality" is evaluated. The objective of this review is to identify key knowledge gaps and hurdles hindering the adoption of citizen science contributions to water quality monitoring under the SDGs, so that these gaps may be addressed in a timely manner for future monitoring programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Quinlivan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Centre for Global Development, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Deborah V Chapman
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- UN Environment GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy Sullivan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, 6 Lee Rd, Cork, T23 XE10, Ireland.
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Quinlivan L, Chapman DV, Sullivan T. Validating citizen science monitoring of ambient water quality for the United Nations sustainable development goals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 699:134255. [PMID: 31683215 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science (CS) may be described as research carried out by members of the public with the aim of gathering scientific information for the purpose of aiding in scientific projects. It has many potential advantages, including data collection at a scale not possible by professional scientists alone. The United Nations (UN) has recently recognized citizen science as a potential source of data that may contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The availability of relatively inexpensive water quality monitoring field equipment suitable for CS suggests great potential for increased spatial coverage far beyond that of traditional, laboratory-based monitoring networks for water quality. In support of work towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: "Clean Water and Sanitation", this study tested the use of such field equipment by citizen scientists for SDG Indicator 6.3.2: "Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality". Data generated by 26 citizen scientists were compared with the results produced by an accredited laboratory. The results compared well for most parameters, suggesting that citizen science may be able to contribute towards monitoring ambient water quality for the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Quinlivan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; UN Environment GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Deborah V Chapman
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; UN Environment GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Timothy Sullivan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, T23 XE10, Ireland
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Njue N, Stenfert Kroese J, Gräf J, Jacobs SR, Weeser B, Breuer L, Rufino MC. Citizen science in hydrological monitoring and ecosystem services management: State of the art and future prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 693:133531. [PMID: 31635016 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hydrological monitoring is essential to guide evidence-based decision making necessary for sustainable water resource management and governance. Limited hydrometric datasets and the pressure on long-term hydrological monitoring networks make it paramount to explore alternative methods for data collection. This is particularly the case for low-income countries, where data scarcity is more pronounced, and where conventional monitoring methods are expensive and logistically challenging. Citizen science in hydrological research has recently gained popularity and crowdsourced monitoring is a promising cost-effective approach for data collection. Citizen science also has the potential to enhance knowledge co-creation and science-based evidence that underpins the governance and management of water resources. This paper provides a comprehensive review on citizen science and crowdsourced data collection within the context of hydrology, based on a synthesis of 71 articles from 2001 to 2018. Application of citizen science in hydrology is increasing in number and breadth, generating a plethora of scientific data. Citizen science approaches differ in scale, scope and degree of citizen involvement. Most of the programs are found in North America and Europe. Participation mostly comprises a contributory citizen science model, which engages citizens in data collection. In order to leverage the full potential of citizen science in knowledge co-generation, future citizen science projects in hydrology could benefit from more co-created types of projects that establish strong ties between research and public engagement, thereby enhancing the long-term sustainability of monitoring networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Njue
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Nairobi, Kenya; University of Kabianga, Kericho, Kenya
| | - J Stenfert Kroese
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - J Gräf
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - S R Jacobs
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - B Weeser
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - L Breuer
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - M C Rufino
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
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15
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16
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Pocock MJ, Chandler M, Bonney R, Thornhill I, Albin A, August T, Bachman S, Brown PM, Cunha DGF, Grez A, Jackson C, Peters M, Rabarijaon NR, Roy HE, Zaviezo T, Danielsen F. A Vision for Global Biodiversity Monitoring With Citizen Science. ADV ECOL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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17
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Shupe SM. High resolution stream water quality assessment in the Vancouver, British Columbia region: a citizen science study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 603-604:745-759. [PMID: 28411868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Changing land cover and climate regimes modify water quantity and quality in natural stream systems. In regions undergoing rapid change, it is difficult to effectively monitor and quantify these impacts at local to regional scales. In Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the most rapidly urbanizing areas in Canada, 750 measurements were taken from a total of 81 unique sampling sites representing 49 streams located in urban, forest, and agricultural-dominant watersheds at a frequency of up to 12 times per year between 2013 and 2016. Dissolved nitrate (NO3-N) and phosphate (PO4-P) concentrations, turbidity, water temperature, pH and conductivity were measured by citizen scientists in addition to observations of hydrology, vegetation, land use, and visible stream impacts. Land cover was mapped at a 15-m resolution using Landsat 8 OLI imagery and used to determine dominant land cover for each watershed in which a sample was recorded. Regional, seasonal, and catchment-type trends in measurements were determined using statistical analyses. The relationships of nutrients to land cover varied seasonally and on a catchment-type basis. Nitrate showed seasonal highs in winter and lows in summer, though phosphate had less seasonal variation. Overall, nitrate concentrations were positively associated to agriculture and deciduous forest and negatively associated with coniferous forest. In contrast, phosphate concentrations were positively associated with agricultural, deciduous forest, and disturbed land cover and negatively associated with urban land cover. Both urban and agricultural land cover were significantly associated with an increase in water conductivity. Increased forest land cover was associated with better water quality, including lower turbidity, conductivity, and water temperature. This study showed the importance of high resolution sampling in understanding seasonal and spatial dynamics of stream water quality, made possible with the large number of measurements taken with the help of trained volunteers. The results underscore the value of citizen science in freshwater research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Shupe
- Geography and the Environment, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
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Cunha DGF, Marques JF, Resende JCDE, Falco PBDE, Souza CMDE, Loiselle SA. Citizen science participation in research in the environmental sciences: key factors related to projects' success and longevity. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2017; 89:2229-2245. [PMID: 28678962 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential impacts of citizen science initiatives are increasing across the globe, albeit in an imbalanced manner. In general, there is a strong element of trial and error in most projects, and the comparison of best practices and project structure between different initiatives remains difficult. In Brazil, the participation of volunteers in environmental research is limited. Identifying the factors related to citizen science projects' success and longevity within a global perspective can contribute for consolidating such practices in the country. In this study, we explore past and present projects, including a case study in Brazil, to identify the spatial and temporal trends of citizen science programs as well as their best practices and challenges. We performed a bibliographic search using Google Scholar and considered results from 2005-2014. Although these results are subjective due to the Google Scholar's algorithm and ranking criteria, we highlighted factors to compare projects across geographical and disciplinary areas and identified key matches between project proponents and participants, project goals and local priorities, participant profiles and engagement, scientific methods and funding. This approach is a useful starting point for future citizen science projects, allowing for a systematic analysis of potential inconsistencies and shortcomings in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi G F Cunha
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, Centro, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonatas F Marques
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, Centro, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana C DE Resende
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, Centro, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia B DE Falco
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, s/n, Jardim Guanabara, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Steven A Loiselle
- Earthwatch Institute, Oxford, 256 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7DE, United Kingdom
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Thornhill I, Ho JG, Zhang Y, Li H, Ho KC, Miguel-Chinchilla L, Loiselle SA. Prioritising local action for water quality improvement using citizen science; a study across three major metropolitan areas of China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 584-585:1268-1281. [PMID: 28190572 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Streams in urban areas are prone to degradation. While urbanization-induced poor water quality is a widely observed and well documented phenomenon, the mechanism to pinpoint local drivers of urban stream degradation, and their relative influence on water quality, is still lacking. Utilizing data from the citizen science project FreshWater Watch, we use a machine learning approach to identify key indicators, potential drivers, and potential controls to water quality across the metropolitan areas of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Partial dependencies were examined to establish the direction of relationships between predictors and water quality. A random forest classification model indicated that predictors of stream water colour (drivers related to artificial land coverage and agricultural land use coverage) and potential controls related to the presence of bankside vegetation were found to be important in identifying basins with degraded water quality conditions, based on individual measurements of turbidity and nutrient (N-NO3 and P-PO4) concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Thornhill
- Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DE, United Kingdom.
| | - Jonathan G Ho
- Earthwatch Institute (Hong Kong), Room 1402 Breakthrough Centre, 191 Woosung Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yuchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Huashou Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kin Chung Ho
- Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Leticia Miguel-Chinchilla
- Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DE, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Loiselle
- Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DE, United Kingdom
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Cunha DGF, Casali SP, de Falco PB, Thornhill I, Loiselle SA. The contribution of volunteer-based monitoring data to the assessment of harmful phytoplankton blooms in Brazilian urban streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 584-585:586-594. [PMID: 28169029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Urban streams are vulnerable to a range of impacts, leading to the impairment of ecosystem services. However, studies on phytoplankton growth in tropical lotic systems are still limited. Citizen science approaches use trained volunteers to collect environmental data. We combined data on urban streams collected by volunteers with data obtained by professional scientists to identify potential drivers of phytoplankton community and determine thresholds for Cyanobacteria development. We combined datasets (n=117) on water quality and environmental observations in 64 Brazilian urban streams with paired data on phytoplankton. Sampling activities encompassed dry (July 2013 and July 2015) and warm (February and November 2014) seasons. Volunteers quantified phosphate (PO43-), nitrate (NO3-) and turbidity in each stream using colorimetric and optical methods and recorded environmental conditions in the immediate surroundings of the sites through visual observations. We used non-parametric statistics to identify correlations among nutrients, turbidity and phytoplankton. We also looked for thresholds with respect to high Cyanobacteria abundance (>50,000cells/mL). The streams were characterized by relatively high nutrient concentrations (PO43-: 0.11mg/L; NO3-: 2.6mg/L) and turbidity (49 NTU). Phytoplankton densities reached 189,000cells/mL, mainly potentially toxic Cyanobacteria species. Moderate but significant (p<0.05) correlations were observed between phytoplankton density and turbidity (ρ=0.338, Spearman) and PO43- (ρ=0.292), but not with NO3-. Other important variables (river flow, temperature and light) were not assessed. Volunteers' observations covaried with phytoplankton density (p<0.05, Kruskal-Wallis), positively with increasing number of pollution sources and negatively with presence of vegetation in the riparian zone. Our results indicate that thresholds for PO43- (0.11mg/L) can be used to separate systems with high Cyanobacteria density. The number of pollution sources provided a good indicator of waterbodies with potential cyanobacteria problems. Our findings reinforced the need for nutrient abatement and restoration of local streams and highlighted the benefits of volunteer-based monitoring to support decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, CEP 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Simone Pereira Casali
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, CEP 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Bortoletto de Falco
- Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, km 235, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ian Thornhill
- Earthwatch Institute, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7DE, United Kingdom
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