Biological Early Warning Systems: The Experience in the Gran Sasso-Sirente Aquifer

Abstract

Biological early warning systems (BEWS) are installed worldwide for the continuous control of water intended for multiple uses. Sentinel aquatic organisms can alert us to contaminant presence through their physiological or behavioural alterations. The present study is aimed at sharing the experience acquired with water biomonitoring of the Gran Sasso-Sirente (GS-S) aquifer. It represents the major source of the Abruzzi region surface water, also intended as drinkable and for irrigation use. Besides the biomonitoring of drinkable water of the Teramo Province made by Daphnia Toximeter and irrigation water of the L’Aquila Province by Algae Toximeter, a novel sensor named “SmartShell” has been developed to register the behaviour of the “pea clam” P. casertanum, an autochthonous small bivalve living in the Nature 2000 site “Tirino River spring”. The valve movements have been recorded directly on the field. Its behavioural rhythms have been analysed through spectral analyses, providing the basis for further investigations on their alterations as early warnings and allowing us to propose this autochthonous bivalve species as a novel sentinel organism for spring water.

Freshwater Mussels as Sentinels for Safe Drinking Water Supply in Europe

“…Recent advances in automated pattern recognition, such as the use of machine learning and other artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, could further improve the sensitivity of the systems and reduce the risk of generating false alarms. Wireless monitoring of mussel behavior incorporated in a wider network of different sensors and developing a self-sufficient energy supply for the biosensor technology are also future topics to be explored . One of the most promising advances in this area is the development of Aqua-Fi systems based on opticalLED or laser lightwireless transmissions as a cost-effective, flexible, and practical methodology for collecting environmental data in real time .…”

“…Wireless monitoring of mussel behavior incorporated in a wider network of different sensors and developing a self-sufficient energy supply for the biosensor technology are also future topics to be explored. 43 One of the most promising advances in this area is the development of Aqua-Fi systems based on optical—LED or laser light—wireless transmissions as a cost-effective, flexible, and practical methodology for collecting environmental data in real time. 44 The system as a whole requires further research, but miniaturization and underwater Internet will make possible a proactive management of water resources.…”