Tools for Assessing Danube Delta Systems With Macro Invertebrates

Abstract

This study, analyzes the benthic macroinvertebrates community structure and composition in order to assess the ecological status as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Macroinvertebrates are the appropriate indicators to describe habitat heterogenity and the water bodies ecological status by turning the allochtone material into biomass, which is then transferred to the upper trophic levels. Moreover, the macroinvertebrates have the capacity to integrate in their structure the effects of environmental pressure at a temporal and spatial scale. In this particular case, the spatial scale is represented by the Danube Delta, Saint (St) Gheorghe Branch with a length of 112 km, carrying 22% of the Danube flow. The samples include all the organisms life cycle and were collected each month from July to October 2012. The structure and composition of macroinvertebrates were the main target of this study. Furthermore, the structural response of macroinvertebrates to environmental pressure was characterized by quantitative and qualitative analysis. Also, the ecological status was assessed by a surface water bodies methodology in accordance with WFD. This present study brings new information of the benthic community structure and dynamics, reflects the long-term effect of environmental pressure, and it is an effective tool for evaluating integrative ecological status of lotic aquatic systems.

Metallic Elements (Cu, Zn, Ni and Mn) Toxicity Effects Determination on a Fresh Water Fish Cyprinus Carpio (Common Carp) Laboratory Acclimatized

“…Our seasonal monitoring studies during the period 2003-2013 in the Danube Delta -Sfantu-Gheorghe Branch revealed higher metal concentrations (Hg, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, As) in the sediment than water, due to sediment storage capacity, but all together their concentrations were within the admissible limits. Moreover, metals Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Mn and Fe were the most abundant in sediments from Danube Delta [9][10][11]. This data has been used as a basic criterion of the metal selection [12][13][14].…”

Maize Stalk as Natural Ion Exchanger for Hazardous Pollutants

“…Secondly, the tailing pond having the GPC coordinates Lat: 45°57'38.97"N, Long: 22°58'55.39"E is situated on Valea Mealului, tributar y to the Cartej river, about 3 km downstream of the Certej preparation plant, near Certejul de Sus, in the south of the Metaliferi Mountains. This tailing pond has a total surface area of 42,33ha, a canopy of 59 meters and a volume of 5,8 mil m 3 (fig. 1).…”

“…In recent years, various chemical compounds such as organic and inorganic micropollutants have been detected in high concentrations in waste water, including hazardous metals with a high toxic effect to human health and the environment [1][2][3]. It has been known that the hazardous metals in low concentrations were toxic and had a tendency to bio accumulate both in the environment and in the human body, affecting functions of the central nervous system, blood composition, liver, kidney of the lungs and it could ultimately cause death [4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

Kinetical Parameters Evaluation for Microalgae-Bacteria Granules used for Waste Water Treatment

“…Population growth, industrialization and urbanization have generated an increase in wastewater flows and the more stringent environmental regulations led to the need for innovative treatment technologies, with high efficiencies and reduced operational costs [1,2]. Mathematical models implementation is needed both in the design phase and in the optimizing stage of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) [3].…”