Kontamination mit coliformen Keimen durch Insektenlarven bei der Aufbereitung von Trinkwasser

Contamination of Drinking Water with Coliform Organisms by the Larves of Gnats in the Water Treatment Plant E. coli and coliform organisms are used to judge the microbial quality of drinking water. The presence of these organisms in water indicates that there is a risk for faecal oral transmitted pathogen organisms. E. coli shows the faecal contamination of men and warm blooded animals (mammalian and birds), coliform organisms may be excreted as well from cold blooded animals. The cold blooded animals normally don’t excrete pathogen organisms relevant for human beings. So coliform organisms don’t have such a high relevance for drinking water microbiology. In this paper an incident is presented with a contamination of drinking water with coliform organisms in the treatment plant by the larves of gnats. The larves of the gnats crawl into the treatment chamber via entrance for ventilation. The larves were kept back on the surface of the filters but they contaminated the water with coliform organisms.     

Tracing contamination sources through phenotypic characterization of Escherichia coli isolates from surface water and groundwater in an agro-ecosystem

The objective of this research was to evaluate the groundwater chemical and bacteriological quality in the Barranquita-Knutzen basin (Córdoba, Argentina). The main purpose was to trace contamination through the examination of bacteriological parameters and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli, relating them to surface water, hydrogeological features and land use. Thus, 40 water samples were collected. The major chemical components and bacterial indicators were determined and antibiotic resistance was analysed using standard methods. Multivariate factorial analysis showed that the first principal component (PC) reveals the process of water mineralization, while the second and the third PCs explain a low percentage of variance, but collect chemical constituents and total and faecal coliform bacteria, respectively, revealing specific contamination situations. The observed antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli and their relation with the land uses revealed that the source of faecal contamination in water is mainly from animal residues.     

Microbial Quality in Coastal Waters of Dardanelles in Relation to the Pollution Sources and Transport Pathways

The coastal water quality of Çanakkale Dardanelles (Turkey) was assessed based on bacteriological data and physical–chemical parameters. Total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and enterococci (ENT) bacteria along with physicochemical parameters were measured monthly up to a year at 12 different sampling sites located through both coastal lines of the strait. The fecal bacteria were abounded at several sampling sites such as B1, B3, G3, and G4 due to direct wastewater discharges and septic leakages or overloading. Storm water runoff and sediment resuspension were important pathways for the transport of coliform and ENT bacteria to the Dardanelles, as the region receives high precipitation and strong winds for most part of the year. The values of pH, temperature, and salinity were in typical ranges for the studied area. The microbiological and physicochemical data were correlated individually and in combination. The best fit correlations for bacterial data were attained between TC and FC or TC and ENT (R = 0.67 or ?0.68), while those for the combined data were obtained for TC with temperature (R = 0.94) and TC with salinity (R = ? 0.70).     

Impact of the Use of Reclaimed Water on the Quality of Groundwater Resources in the Jordan Valley,Jordan

The use of reclaimed water and its impact on groundwater quality in the middle and southern parts of the Jordan Valley are investigated. The chemical analyses indicate that nitrate and bacteriological pollution is widespread, and thus, seriously affects groundwater use. During the study, 365 water samples were collected from wells and springs to determine the water chemistry and the extent of nitrate pollution. Three hydrochemical facies are identifed, i. e., (Ca–(Mg)–Na–HCO₃), (Ca–Na–SO₄–Cl) and (Ca–Na–Cl). The change of facies is accompanied by a gradual increase in the groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS), which is mainly controlled by evaporates and carbonates dissolution in the aquifer matrix. Water analyses indicate that the shallow aquifer in the study area is affected by non‐point pollution sources, primarily from natural (manure) and chemical nitrogen (N)‐fertilizers and treated wastewater used for agriculture. The concentration of nitrate in the groundwater ranges from 10 to 355 mg/L. Considerable seasonal fluctuations in groundwater quality are observed as a consequence of agricultural practices and other factors such as annual rainfall distribution and the Zarqa River flow. The noticeable levels of total coliform and Escherichia coli in the northern part of the study area may be attributed to contamination from the urban areas, intensive livestock production, and illegal dumping of sewage. Heavy metal concentrations in all samples were found to be significantly lower than the permissible limits for drinking water standards.     

中国太湖物理—生物工程实验中菱对水质影响的模式

A model on a physico-biological engineering experiment for purifying water in Wulihu Bay of Lake Taihu by using Trapa natans var. bispinosa was constructed. The state variables in water in the physico-biological engineering were ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N); nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N); nitrite nitrogen (NO₂^--N); phosphate phosphorus (PO₄^3--P); dissolved oxygen (DO); nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in detritus; biomass density, N and P in phytoplankton and in Trapa natans var. bispinosa, N and P in the substance adsorbed by the membrane of the engineering and the rootstocks of Trapa natans var. bispinosa. The state variables in bottom mud layer were PO₄^3--P in the core water,exchangeable P and N. The external forcing functions were solar radiation, water temperature, NH₄⁺-N; NO₃^--N; NO₂^--N; PO₄^3--P; N and P in detritus; DO; phytoplankton concentrations in inflow water and the retention time of the water in physico-biological engineering channel. The main physical, chemical and biological processes considered in the model were:growth of Trapa natans var. bispinosa and phytoplankton; oxidation of NH₄⁺-N and NO₂^--N, of detritus break down; N and P sorption by the enclosure cloth of the experimental engineering and by the rootstocks of Trapa natans var. bispinosa in water; reaeration of water; uptake of P, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N by phytoplankton and Trapa natans var. bispinosa:mortality of the phytoplankton and Trapa natans var. bispinosa:settling of detritus; and nutrient release from sediment. Comparison of calculated results and observed results showed that the model was constructed reasonably for the experiment. The mechanism of purifying lake water in the experiment engineering was discussed by the use of the model.     

Zoobenthos of Lake Uluabat,a Ramsar Site in Turkey,and Their Relationship with Environmental Variables

The numerical and proportional distributions of zoobenthos in lake Uluabat, which is located in the Northwestern part of Turkey and having international importance according to the Ramsar Convention, were determined from August 2004 to July 2005 at monthly intervals (except for December 2004, January and February 2005) at 12 different stations. Thirty‐three taxonomic groups were recorded. It was found that the zoobenthos consisted of 35.6 % Oligochaeta, 27.7 % Nematoda, 12.3 % Chironomidae larvae, 10.7 % Gastropoda, 3.6 % Ostracoda, and 10.1 % Varia by numbers (Bivalvia, Ceratopogonidae, Hirudinea, Odonata, Ephemeroptera, Asilidae, Hydraacarina, Hemiptera, Argulidae, and Gammaridae). The average number of invertebrates was 160 individuals for 33 taxa at the 12 different stations. Also some environmental parameters of the lakewater were analyzed (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, NO₂–N, NO₃–N, NH₃–N, PO₄^–3, fecal coliform, and total coliform). The relationships between the dynamics of the Oligochaeta and the physicochemical variables were supported by the Pearson correlation index and the canonical correspondence analysis (CANOCO). It was found that the relation between the average number of P. hammoniensis and P. albicola (p < 0.05, r = 0.590 and 0.593, respectively) and L. hoffmeisteri (p < 0.01, r = 0.777) was directly proportional while the relation between the average number of some taxa Trichodrillus sp., Rhyacodrilus coccineus, Nais communis, N. variabilis, and N. barbata and NO₃–N (p < 0.05, r = –0.685) was inversely proportional.     

The impact of pelagic (Daphnia longispina) and benthic (Dreissena polymorpha) filter feeders on chlorophyll and nutrient concentration

An outdoor experiment testing the effect of water flea (Daphnia longispina) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on physical and chemical water parameters and chlorophyll concentration changes was carried out in 12 containers filled with 150 l of unfiltered water from a lowland reservoir. During the 11 weeks of the experiment, the following physical, chemical and biological measurements were recorded: temperature (°C), oxygen concentration (mg dm⁻³), pH, conductivity (S cm⁻¹), concentration of phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₄-N) (g dm⁻³), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) (g dm⁻³), phytoplankton community structure and chlorophyll a concentration (g dm⁻³). The amount of ammonia ions was the highest in the treatment with zooplankton, while phosphate ions reached the highest values in treatments with zebra mussels. The results confirmed the ability of Daphnia to increase the NH₄:PO₄ ratio, whereas excretion from zebra mussels resulted in a decrease in both the N:P ratio (ranging from 9 to 13) and the NH₄:PO₄ ratio in water. In both treatments containing zebra mussels, P-rich water enabled sudden growth of Chlorophyta, resulting in blooms of Hydrodictyon reticulatum after 3–4 weeks of the experiment. Such phenomena were not observed in the control and Daphnia treatments. Our results indicate that zebra mussels, in contrast to Daphnia, may increase the symptoms of water eutrophication and contribute to blooms of expansive phytoplankton species.     

Using hydrochemical tracers to assess impacts of unsewered urban catchments on hydrochemistry and nutrients in groundwater

We applied graphical methods and multivariate statistics to understand impacts of an unsewered slum catchment on nutrients and hydrochemistry of groundwater in Kampala, Uganda. Data were collected from 56 springs (groundwater), 22 surface water sites and 13 rain samples. Groundwater was acidic and dominated by Na, Cl and NO₃. These ions were strongly correlated, indicating pollution originating from wastewater infiltration from on‐site sanitation systems. Results also showed that rain, which was acidic, impacted on groundwater chemistry. Using Q‐mode hierarchical cluster analysis, we identified three distinct water quality groups. The first group had springs dominated by Ca‐Cl‐NO₃, low values of electrical conductivity (EC), pH and cations, and relatively high NO₃ values. These springs were shown to have originated from the acidic rains because their chemistry closely corresponded to ion concentrations that would occur from rainfall recharge, which was around 3.3 times concentrated by evaporation. The second group had springs dominated by Na‐K‐Cl‐NO₃ and Ca‐Cl‐NO₃, low pH but with higher values of EC, NO₃ and cations. We interpreted these as groundwater affected by both acid rain and infiltration of wastewater from urban areas. The third group had the highest EC values (average of 688 μS/cm), low pH and very high concentrations of NO₃ (average of 2.15 mmol/l) and cations. Since these springs were all located in slum areas, we interpreted them as groundwater affected by infiltration of wastewater from poorly sanitized slums areas. Surface water was slightly reducing and eutrophic because of wastewater effluents, but the contribution of groundwater to nutrients in surface water was minimal because o‐PO₄ was absent, whereas NO₃ was lost by denitification. Our findings suggest that groundwater chemistry in the catchment is strongly influenced by anthropogenic inputs derived from nitrogen‐containing rains and domestic wastewater. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Growing Spirodela polyrrhiza in Swine Wastewater for the Production of Animal Feed and Fuel Ethanol: A Pilot Study

To evaluate the performance of Spirodela polyrrhiza grown in swine wastewater for protein and starch production under field conditions, a pilot‐scale duckweed culture pond was installed at Barham Farm, Zebulon, North Carolina and operated from May to November 2010. The anaerobically treated swine wastewater was fed to the duckweed pond intermittently to provide nutrients for the growth of duckweed, and the duckweed biomass was harvested regularly from the pond and prepared as a protein‐ or starch‐rich feedstock for the production of animal feed or fuel ethanol. Over the experimental period, the duckweed pond produced protein and starch at rates of 2.68 and 1.88 g m^?2 day^?1, respectively. During the same time, NH₄–N and o‐PO₄–P in the wastewater were, respectively, removed at rates of 92.9 and 2.90 mmol m^?2 day^?1.     

Distribution of faecal coliforms in bottom sediments from the New York Bight

The distribution of faecal coliform densities found in New York Bight sediments indicated that sewage sludge material has contaminated areas extending 11 km north and 37 km south from the disposal site. A high degree of confidence for enumerating faecal coliforms in marine sediments was demonstrated by standard water methodology since 82.3% of the faecal coliform group isolated were Escherichia coli. This study also indicated that marine sediments could be stored 4 days at 4°C without appreciable changes in the faecal coliform count, and that, in situ, faecal coliforms would persist longer when sediment temperatures were low.     

Assessment of Metal Pollution in Water and Surface Sediments of the Seyhan River,Turkey, Using Different Indexes

The aim of this study was to assess the level of heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contamination and enrichment in the surface sediments of the Seyhan River, which is the receiving water body of both treated and untreated municipal and industrial effluents as well as agricultural drainage waters generated within Adana, Turkey. Sediment and water samples were taken from six previously determined stations covering the downstream of the Seyhan dam during both wet and dry seasons and the samples were then analyzed for the heavy metals of concern. When both dry and wet seasons were considered, metal concentrations varied significantly within a broad range with Al, 7210–33 967 mg kg^?1 dw; Cr, 46–122 mg kg^?1 dw; Cu, 6–57 mg kg^?1 dw; Fe, 10 294–26 556 mg kg^?1 dw; Mn, 144–638 mg kg^?1 dw; Ni, 82–215 mg kg^?1 dw; Pb, 11–75 mg kg^?1 dw; Zn, 34–146 mg kg^?1 dw in the sediments while Cd was at non‐detectable levels for all stations. For both seasons combined, the enrichment factor (EF) and the geo‐accumulation index (I_geo) for the sediments in terms of the specified metals ranged from 0.56 to 10.36 and ?2.92 to 1.56, respectively, throughout the lower Seyhan River. The sediment quality guidelines (SQG) of US‐EPA suggested the sediments of the Seyhan River demonstrated “unpolluted to moderate pollution” of Cu, Pb, and Zn, “moderate to very strong pollution” of Cr and Ni. The water quality data, on the other hand, indicated very low levels of these metals suggesting that the metal content in the surface sediments were most probably originating from fine sediments transported along the river route instead of water/wastewater discharges with high metal content.     

Investigating evidential reasoning for the interpretation of microbial water quality in a distribution network

Total coliforms are used as indicators for evaluating microbial water quality in distribution networks. However, total coliform provides only a weak “evidence” of possible fecal contamination because pathogens are subset of total coliform and therefore their presence in drinking water is not necessarily associated with fecal contamination. Heterotrophic plate counts are also commonly used to evaluate microbial water quality in the distribution networks, but they cover even a wider range of organisms. As a result, both of these indicators can provide incomplete and highly uncertain bodies of evidence when used individually. In this paper, it is shown that combing these two sources of information by an appropriate data fusion technique can provide improved insight into microbial water quality within distribution networks. Approximate reasoning methods like fuzzy logic and probabilistic reasoning are commonly used for data fusion where knowledge is uncertain (i.e., ambiguous, incomplete, and/or vague). Traditional probabilistic frameworks like Bayesian analysis, reasons through conditioning based on prior probabilities (which are hardly ever available). The Dempster–Shafer (DS) theory generalizes the Bayesian analysis without requiring prior probabilities. The DS theory can efficiently deal with the difficulties related to the interpretation of overall water quality where the redundancy of information is routinely observed and the credibility of available data continuously changes. In this paper, the DS rule of combination and its modifications including Yager’s modified rule, Dubois–Prade disjunctive rule and Dezert–Smarandache rule are described using an example of microbial water quality in a distribution network.     

Effective Removal of Microorganisms and Biostimulants of Wastewater by the Application of Various Electrolytes

A variety of electrolytes FeCl₃, CaCl₂, CuSO₄, Al₂(SO₄)₃, and LaCl₃ was investigated for their efficiency in removing biostimulants (phosphorous and nitrogen) to improve the water quality. Results show that the removal of PO₄^3– was achieved below the detection limit (BDL) by two electrolytes, CuSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃, and up to 1.0 ± 0.0 mg/L by LaCl₃ from a value of 15.0 mg/L, of the concentration of PO₄^3– in amended water. The turbidity was found to be removed significantly by FeCl₃, CuSO₄, and Al₂(SO₄)₃ by about 5.8 ± 2.6, 9.7 ± 1.0, and 5.4 ± 1.1 nephalometric turbidity unit (NTU), respectively. The removal of the members of Enterobacteriaceae viz., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. Pseudomonas fluorescence, and Pseudomonas spp. was found almost in all the chemical precipitants but their removal was more significant in the water samples treated with CuSO₄, Al₂(SO₄)₃, and LaCl₃. To achieve a complete removal and to sustain the after effects of precipitation, such as recurrence of algal growth, the combination of CuSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ was investigated. Reduction in the turbidity from 30.83 to <2 NTU, phosphate ion from a value of 1.28 mg/L to BDL and ammonia ion from a value of 44.71 to 36.48 mg/L of natural pond water were observed after the treatment with CuSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ in combination.     

Monitoring of Microbiological Attributes of Soil and Groundwater Exposed to Metal Industrial Effluents

The present paper evaluates the temporal and spatial impact of heavy metal containing (Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Fe) effluents of brass, electroplating and tannery industries on chemical and microbiological characteristics of affected soil and groundwater. Therefore, samples were drawn from three sites, S₁, S₂ and S₃, with a longitudinally distant from effluent drain of 20, 200 and 700 m, respectively. In general, the metals concentration exceeded the standard limits not only in the discharged effluents but also in the soil and groundwater. The significant reduction of microbial biomass C and N, soil respiration and microbial coefficient with increasing metal content from S₃ to S₁ was recorded, the effect being more pronounced in summer. However, the C_mic/N_mic ratio decreased whilst the metabolic quotient ($q_{{\rm CO}_{{\rm 2}} } $ ) increased with increasing metal concentration in soil. The content of Zn (11.5 mg/L) and Bacillus sp. was at maximum in groundwater of brass and electroplating industry site, whereas that of tannery site contained maximum Cr (2.34 mg/L) and Enterobacter sp. The toxic metals adversely polluted the groundwater which made it to harbours Escherichia coli beyond the prescribed limit. To check the soil and groundwater pollution, eco‐friendly measures involving improved effluent treatment technology and site‐specific application of treated effluent are recommended.     

Using of the Ornamental Fish in Wastewater Biological Treatment

Breeding ornamental fish in wastewater was a successful solution not only to decrease sanitary risks but also to encourage fish growth. In fact, the secondary treated effluent was used to grow a walking catfish (Clarias batrachus), a western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis; Poeciliidae), and a leopard pleco (Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps). The growth rate of fish reared in final treated wastewater was significantly higher than of treated effluent (25 and 50%) and the relative growth rate during 2 months reached 2, 4, and 2.5, respectively. Bacterial loads were important in the gills compared to other fish organs (intestine, skin, and edible muscles). However, the total aerobic germs ranged between 2 × 10³ and 3.4 × 10³ cfu/g in the edible fish species cultured in secondary treated effluent. The pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila was absent in all examined fish muscles. However, the presence of tested fishes did not prevent the reduction of the treatment biological parameter (BOD and COD) at half, in the three treated wastewater proportions (25, 50, and 100%) and thereafter, they clearly participated to the tertiary biological treatment of used water. Further bacteriological and physico‐chemical analyses indicated that the use of treated wastewater in aquaculture is safe and risks to human health are reduced.     

Macrophytes’ Performance in Floating Treatment Wetlands for the Remediation of Ciprofloxacin-Contaminated Water

The presence of trace antibiotics in domestic and industrial effluents poses a risk of toxicity to fauna and flora. The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is a low-cost and sustainable approach to remediate wastewater. In this study, the performance of different macrophytes vegetated in FTWs for the remediation of ciprofloxacin (CIP)-contaminated water is investigated. Six macrophytes, Brachia mutica, Typha domingensis, Phragmites australis, Canna indica, Cyperus laevigatus, and Leptochloa fusca, are vegetated in FTWs for the removal of CIP (50 mg L⁻¹) from water. The FTWs show the potential to remove 30–43.58 mg L⁻¹ CIP from water in 28 days. They also reduce the chemical oxygen demand (118–138 mg L⁻¹) and biochemical oxygen demand (35–45 mg L⁻¹) of water. Among the macrophytes, C. indica removes maximum (43.58 mg L⁻¹) and T. domingensis minimum (30 mg L⁻¹) CIP. Canna indica and T. domingensis exhibit the maximum and minimum increase (30% and 12% of dry biomass) in growth, respectively. This study reveals that the FTWs vegetated with different plant species exhibit varying performances in removing CIP from water. This investigation is a step forward toward sustainable bioremediation of water contaminated with antibiotics.     

Microbial and geochemical quality of shallow well water in high-density areas in Mzuzu City in Malawi

In Malawi, shallow wells constitute the most important water sources for domestic purposes. However, increasing human population coupled with poor sanitation and infrastructure is undermining the quality of shallow well water. An assessment of microbial and geochemical quality of shallow well water in high-density areas of Zolozolo, Ching’ambo and Chiputula in Mzuzu City, Northern Malawi, has been carried out. The study aimed at characterising domestic water sources, identifying possible sources of water contamination and determining levels of microbial and chemical contamination. Arc-view GIS was used to map the water sources. A questionnaire survey was carried out to elicit information on characteristics of drinking water sources. Water samples were collected from quasi-randomly selected shallow wells and analysed for microbial and chemical parameters using standard methods. HCA, performed using R-programme, was used to group sampled sites according to their bio-physicochemical characteristics. Compliance of the water with MBS/WHO water quality guidelines was determined. The WQI was computed to turn multifaceted data obtained from laboratory analyses into simple information that is comprehensible and useable by the public to assess overall quality of water at a specific water points. The GW-chart was used to show hydrogeochemical water types from each sampled site. Microbial analysis revealed that water from 96.3% of shallow wells recorded faecal coliforms ranging from 129 to 920 cfu per 100 ml which were significantly higher than the Malawi Standards and WHO thresholds. In general, shallow well water is of low mineralisation (EC range 80–500 μS cm⁻¹), with hydrogeochemical facies dominated by Ca–HCO₃, which evolves to Ca–Cl water type. The shallow well water registered a WQI range of 50.16–66.04%, with a medium WQ rating. This suggested that the water obtained from the shallow wells is unsuitable for direct human consumption. It was observed that 100% of the shallow wells were at risk of pollution from onsite sanitation because of their proximity to sanitary facilities. It was strongly recommended that onsite treatment interventions have to be mobilised and initiated to protect the households from further possible consequences of using the water.     

Stormflow dynamics and loads of Escherichia coli in a large mixed land use catchment

Storm events are major transporters of faecal microbial contaminants, but few studies have reported storm loads or concentration dynamics in relation to discharge or other pollutants, notably fine sediment. Episodically, high loads of faecal contamination during storm flows impact downstream uses of water bodies, particularly contact recreation and shellfish harvesting. We examined the storm dynamics of Escherichia coli, turbidity and discharge in the mixed land use Motueka catchment (2047 km²; 60% forest and 19% pasture) to gain insights into E. coli sources and transport. We also explored different approaches for calculating E. coli loads. Discharge and field turbidity were recorded continuously, and E. coli concentrations were sampled during events, over a 13‐month period near the mouth of the Motueka River. E. coli loads were estimated by interpolation, averaging estimators and by using linear regression with smearing correction of the log‐transformed variables: discharge, turbidity, and both turbidity and discharge. The annual E. coli load was dominated (～98%) by export during events. Comparison of monthly monitoring with the intensive storm monitoring campaign suggests that simple stratification of the sampling into storm and baseflow would greatly improve export estimates. E. coli peak concentrations always preceded discharge and turbidity peaks (which had similar timing). Turbidity can be a useful surrogate for faecal microbes in smaller catchments, but in the Motueka turbidity was no better for predicting E. coli concentration than discharge. Runoff from grazed pasture and direct deposition from livestock are probably the ultimate E. coli sources in the Motueka catchment. However, in‐channel stores seem to dominate E. coli dynamics during events and account for the typical feature of bacterial concentrations peaking ahead of discharge and turbidity. This study demonstrates the importance of storm events to faecal microbial loads and shows that E. coli concentration dynamics may contrast with those of turbidity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Varied impact of land use on water and sediment parameters in fish ponds of the Dombes agro-ecosystem,France

Abstract

Agricultural land use in the area of water bodies is generally considered to increase the nutrient status of the water body water and sediments, but is this also the case for already nutrient-rich fish ponds? We studied 83 fish ponds in the Dombes region, France, where 1100 ponds are located in a heterogeneous agricultural landscape. Different water and sediment parameters were analysed for ponds and in ditches after rainfall events. Land use was studied in the primary catchment of ponds and in a 100-m zone around ponds. Soil parameters of different land-use types were analysed and farmers interviewed about agricultural practices. Increasing cropping area in the catchment of the ponds is significantly correlated to higher PO₄ ^3- concentration of pond water and to a lower degree, also to NO₃ ^?, but only in certain years with higher rainfall and with a more uneven distribution in spring. Sediment parameters were not significantly influenced. High NO₃- concentration in the water of a ditch during significant rainfall events was found for a cropland dominated catchment.

Citation Wezel, A., Arthaud, F., Dufloux, C., Renoud, F., Vallod, D., Robin, J., and Sarrazin, B., 2013. Varied impact of land use on water and sediment parameters in fish ponds of the Dombes agro-ecosystem, France. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (4), 854–871.