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Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2022) | Viewed by 27153

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Dimitrios E. Alexakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Geoenvironmental Science and Environmental Quality Assurance, Department of Civil Engineering, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon & Petrou Ralli Street, Egaleo, 122 41 Athens, Greece
Interests: aquatic geochemistry; water quality; environmental geochemistry; geochemistry; geochemical modeling; contaminants transport; groundwater contamination; water quality indices; environmental monitoring and assessment; human health risk assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Anthropogenic activities and geoenvironmental processes have drastic effects on the hydrosphere, while often, it is rather difficult to distinguish the geoenvironmental signature from the one induced by anthropogenic activities. Anthropogenic and geoenvironmental adverse effects on the hydrosphere are a global problem that directly impacts human health, water resources, food security, wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Anthropogenic influences on the hydrosphere cover altered land use, pollution, and industrial, agricultural, and mining activities. Geoenvironmental impacts on the hydrosphere enfold effects related, among others, to geological processes, natural disasters, leaching from the soil, weathering of rocks and sediments, geochemical processes, and biological processes in the aquatic environment. 

The hydrosphere faces a host of severe threats, including pollution, eutrophication, geological hazards, extreme temperatures, sea-level rise, soil erosion, wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, monsoons, sand storms, floods, landslides, rockfalls, debris flows, mudflows, atmospheric deposition, infrastructure failures, technological accidents, land-use changes, mining and industrial activities, agricultural activities, livestock farming, and overuse of water resources. Thus, manuscripts related to these aspects and case studies are more than welcome in this Special Issue. 

The goal and the scope of this Special Issue are to build up an impact database and knowledge sharing on cutting-edge topics related to delineating effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on the hydrosphere, distinguishing geoenvironmental versus anthropogenic signature on the hydrosphere, as well as presenting modern methods and approaches for monitoring, assessing, and protecting the hydrosphere.

This Special Issue focuses but is not limited to the following aspects:

  • Natural and anthropogenic factors controlling water quality;
  • Water contamination, water suitability and use, water quality management;
  • Natural disasters and phenomena that affect hydrosphere;
  • Geochemical and biological processes in the aquatic environment;
  • Water-related impacts on human, wildlife, biodiversity, wetlands and ecosystems;
  • Changes of land use and threats on the hydrosphere;
  • Overuse of water resources;
  • Advanced tools and techniques for monitoring and evaluating water quality, earth observation, spatial analysis, biomonitoring.

Prof. Dr. Dimitrios E. Alexakis
Guest Editor

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

  • freshwater, marine water, surface water, and groundwater
  • sediment–soil–water interactions
  • soil–water system
  • nutrients, trace elements
  • pollutants
  • eutrophication
  • water quality and quantity
  • water quality management
  • monitoring, earth observation, use of sensors, and biomonitoring

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 178 KiB  
Editorial
Anthropogenic and Geo-Environmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management
by Dimitrios E. Alexakis
Water 2023, 15(7), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071390 - 4 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1414
Abstract
A worldwide issue directly affecting human health, resources, and ecosystems concerns the harmful consequences of anthropogenic and geo-environmental influences on the hydrosphere [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

14 pages, 20752 KiB  
Article
Combining Artificial Neural Network and Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response Approach for Evaluating a Mediterranean Lake
by Christos Tsitsis, Dimitrios E. Alexakis, Konstantinos Moustris and Dimitra E. Gamvroula
Water 2023, 15(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020266 - 8 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2121
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to evaluate the surface water system of Lake Vegoritida (Region of Central Macedonia, Greece). The Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) methodological approach was used. The analysis includes data from three (3) stations monitoring point source pollution and recording the [...] Read more.
The main objective of this research was to evaluate the surface water system of Lake Vegoritida (Region of Central Macedonia, Greece). The Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) methodological approach was used. The analysis includes data from three (3) stations monitoring point source pollution and recording the most critical water quality measurement parameters in a time series data analysis from 1983 to 1997. The data will contribute to the analysis and was used to investigate, identify, and evaluate possible sources of chemical and ecological changes recorded in the lake. The artificial neural network (ANN) is a valuable tool for making predictions based on the water quality data set. The findings highlighted the increased concentration of nutrients that contribute to the presence of eutrophic conditions, while their seasonal variability is mainly due to factors, such as water level fluctuations and biological processes in the lake. The above, combined with the critical biotic indicators and factors alongside the reduction in biodiversity, indicated that only the most resistant species survive, confirming the previous finding. In Greece, systematic monitoring and reporting programs have recently been implemented, such as the ECOFRAME scheme and the guidelines proposed by the “Intercalibration Group for Mediterranean Lakes”. The water quality status could be classified as “High”, “High to Good”, and “High to Poor”, respectively, while the overall ecological assessment tends to change to poor conditions. The actions required at an early stage concern the planning of programs and actions that contribute to the sustainable management of land uses and the reduction in point sources of pollution, as well as the reduction of the applied quantities of agrochemicals on the cultivated land in the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)
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18 pages, 9036 KiB  
Article
A Qualitative Approach to the Seismic Estimation of Wastewater Treatment Plants and Potential Impacts on the Hydrosphere
by Ploutarchos N. Kerpelis, Dimitrios E. Alexakis and Spyridon K. Golfinopoulos
Water 2022, 14(20), 3225; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14203225 - 13 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1863
Abstract
Many quantitative and qualitative methods have been developed to estimate the seismic vulnerability of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). The research approach using questionnaires is the most common qualitative process to quickly access estimation results. In the present study, the Experts’ Judgment method was [...] Read more.
Many quantitative and qualitative methods have been developed to estimate the seismic vulnerability of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). The research approach using questionnaires is the most common qualitative process to quickly access estimation results. In the present study, the Experts’ Judgment method was implemented. A representative questionnaire was distributed to a hundred and sixteen (116) operators of Greece’s WWTPs according to proportional stratified sampling for seven months. The questionnaire was based on the main parameters that contribute to seismic vulnerability (structural, non-structural and operational matters). The examination of the results included the search for reliability and validity. Their collection also revealed that the average seismic vulnerability of the samples was found at a low level after a direct question, and was slightly increased after analyzing a group of questions. In the case of soil–water pollution during the post-seismic period, the answers showed low percentages for the contribution to the seismic vulnerability (at the partial mode), and divided answers existed at low and slightly increased percentages. Non-structural and operational vulnerability somewhat increased the percentages in the judgments. During the 24 h post-seismic period, the possibility of soil–water pollution was expected at low percentages and it remained constant. The results of this study could be compared to future surveys for qualitative approaches to disaster risks or could be used in addition to the results from quantitative methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)
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23 pages, 2580 KiB  
Article
Implementing the CCME Water Quality Index for the Evaluation of the Physicochemical Quality of Greek Rivers
by Yiannis Panagopoulos, Dimitrios E. Alexakis, Nikolaos Theodor Skoulikidis, Sofia Laschou, Anastasios Papadopoulos and Elias Dimitriou
Water 2022, 14(17), 2738; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172738 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 9869
Abstract
Water quality indices (WQIs) are efficient tools, globally used for the determination of the quality status of water bodies. In Greece, for almost a decade, the physicochemical quality of water in rivers has been determined by a rigorous, biologically-based, national classification system, developed [...] Read more.
Water quality indices (WQIs) are efficient tools, globally used for the determination of the quality status of water bodies. In Greece, for almost a decade, the physicochemical quality of water in rivers has been determined by a rigorous, biologically-based, national classification system, developed by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), through the calculation of a simple water quality index (HWQI) that takes into account six water parameters: five nutrient species and dissolved oxygen. Taking the HWQI as a reference, the present study attempts to implement the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI), which is globally applied and flexible in the number of parameters used, to investigate its possible suitability for Greek rivers, which are characterized by a variety of climatic, geologic, and hydrological conditions and have experienced anthropogenic impact. A large dataset consisting of 111 river sites and multiple sampling campaigns for each site in 2018–2020 were used in the analysis, giving rise to a representative application of the CCME WQI on a national scale. Furthermore, the physicochemical quality results were compared with those derived by the HWQI. Apart from the original equation of the CCME WQI for calculating the classification score, a modified version from the literature was used as well. Moreover, apart from the six conventional parameters, which offered a direct comparison with the output values of the HWQI, the CCME WQI and its modified version were recalculated based on a larger dataset, including four additional physicochemical water parameters. The comparative results from all calculations revealed the conservative behavior of the CCME WQI and confirmed the indications from several other Greek studies. Estimated water quality represented a status that consistently belonged to at least a two-class inferior category than the HWQI, while adequate reductions in this deviation could not be achieved with the modified index or with the increase in the number of parameters used in the analysis. It is thus concluded that the first calculation factor and the class boundaries of the CCME WQI are the limiting factors for successful implementation in Greek rivers, independent of the hydroclimatic, geomorphological, and anthropogenic impact variability across the country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)
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18 pages, 43849 KiB  
Article
Identification of Water Contamination Sources Using Hydrochemical and Isotopic Studies—The Kozłowa Góra Reservoir Catchment Area (Southern Poland)
by Kinga Ślósarczyk, Sabina Jakóbczyk-Karpierz and Andrzej Jarosław Witkowski
Water 2022, 14(6), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14060846 - 8 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2027
Abstract
The application of combined research methods, such as hydrochemical and isotopic analyses, facilitates understanding of the origin of water constituents and migration of contaminants in the aquatic environment. The presented study attempts to identify contamination sources affecting water quality within the Kozłowa Góra [...] Read more.
The application of combined research methods, such as hydrochemical and isotopic analyses, facilitates understanding of the origin of water constituents and migration of contaminants in the aquatic environment. The presented study attempts to identify contamination sources affecting water quality within the Kozłowa Góra reservoir catchment area (southern Poland). A total of 100 water samples were collected from surface water (the Brynica river, streams, and the reservoir) and groundwater (a Quarternary aquifer) in four time periods. During fieldwork, the physicochemical parameters were measured (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential, and dissolved oxygen). The chemical analysis included the determination of major ions (HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+), nutrients (NO3−, NO2−, NH4+, and PO43−), and total organic carbon. The study was complemented by isotopic analysis of sulphur and oxygen in sulphate, which enabled a more precise identification of stressors affecting water quality in different parts of the catchment area. Chemical and isotopic results (δ34S = 4.38–13.99‰; δ18O 3.59–13.30‰) revealed that wastewater discharges and agricultural activities have a significant influence on the chemistry of the Brynica River and other streams. At some sampling points, a lower quality of water was manifested by elevated concentrations of NO3− (up to 22.6 mg/L) and several other ions (e.g., up to 114 mg/L for Cl−, up to 51.52 mg/L for NH4+, and 12.5 mg/L for PO43−). The quality of groundwater was deteriorated mainly by infiltration of sewage from leaky septic tanks. The level of groundwater contamination varied depending on the location, as higher concentrations of major ions and values of electrical conductivity were observed in residential areas. The Brynica river, streams, and groundwater recharge the drinking water reservoir, and thus its quality depends on these sources. A dilution of water and the presence of biochemical processes led to a reduction of contaminant concentrations in the Kozłowa Góra reservoir (down to 3.5 mg/L for NO3−, 32 mg/L for Cl−, 0.21 mg/L for NH4+, and <0.05 mg/L for PO43−) compared to water in the river and streams supplying the reservoir. The study revealed the role of wastewater discharge and agricultural activities in the evolution of surface water chemistry. The results will be used in further research on the origin and migration of other substances in water, including microcontaminants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)
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23 pages, 5129 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Model of River Basin Sustainable Management by SWOT and AHP Methods
by Tomáš Bakalár, Henrieta Pavolová and Alexander Tokarčík
Water 2021, 13(17), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13172427 - 3 Sep 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4409
Abstract
The sustainable management of river basins is a comprehensive problem involving not only environmental quality but also socio-economic aspects. The primary objective of the study is to propose a sustainable management model of a river basin based on a clear identification of the [...] Read more.
The sustainable management of river basins is a comprehensive problem involving not only environmental quality but also socio-economic aspects. The primary objective of the study is to propose a sustainable management model of a river basin based on a clear identification of the good water quality in the river basin applicable for any river basin. The proposal is based on a monitoring of the quality of surface water in the basin, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of pollution, a questionnaire survey on the sewer systems and wastewater treatment in the basin and the diffuse sources of water pollution. For a better outline, a case study of Hornád river basin, Slovakia, was carried out. Two methodologies were applied: SWOT analysis for identification of indicators and the priorities and AHP analysis for a prioritization of the decisions. These analyses can be carried out for any activity based on identification of indicators and the priorities of the defined indicators to promote sustainable development. Based on the findings and the results of the analyses the model for managing the development of surface water quality in the basin was proposed. Generally applicable principles of sustainable development, accepting legislation in the field of water management, considering the quality of surface water in the basin, the impacts of wastewater discharges into the recipient, the identification and evaluation of positive and negative aspects of surface water quality, and the implementation of the proposed measures and post-implementation monitoring of qualitative development were covered in and by the proposed model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)
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19 pages, 4926 KiB  
Article
Mapping of Coastline Changes in Athens Riviera over the Past 76 Year’s Measurements
by Hariklia D. Skilodimou, Vasileios Antoniou, George D. Bathrellos and Eleni Tsami
Water 2021, 13(15), 2135; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13152135 - 3 Aug 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3428
Abstract
Mapping of coastline changes assists in coastal development and monitoring. Athens Riviera, located in the southwestern coastal zone in Attica in central Greece, has undergone major and radical changes generated by human interference during the last decades. The aim of this paper is [...] Read more.
Mapping of coastline changes assists in coastal development and monitoring. Athens Riviera, located in the southwestern coastal zone in Attica in central Greece, has undergone major and radical changes generated by human interference during the last decades. The aim of this paper is to map record and measure the coastline changes in Athens Riviera over the past 76 years. Aerial photographs and satellite images from 1945 to 2021 as well as geographic information system (GIS) techniques were used to depict the spatial and temporal variations of the coastline. The results show that 60% of the total length of the coastline is artificial coast, while 29% is rocky coast and 12% beach. The study of seven subareas showed that human interventions caused significant coastline changes in Faliro Bay, Alimos and Glyfada. The adjacent coastal regions to Athens metropolitan area illustrate the highest modifications in the coastline. The main changes in the coastlines are recorded from 1960 to 1987, while the rate of changes in coastline slowed down from 1987 to 2021. The total changes in the coastline of Athens Riviera demonstrate that, during the past 76 years, the coastline was enhanced by 40% while land reclaimed to the sea area approaches 2.67 km2. The applied method is effective and rapid and may utilize in the coastal monitoring and management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Geoenvironmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Assessment, and Sustainable Management)
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