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There has been considerable progress in elucidating the physical aspects of climate change that directly impact food, feed, and fiber production. However, these impact assessments rarely account for climate induced changes associated with biological pests. The lack of collaboration between the pest management and climate science disciplines could be contributing to the problem. Therefore, we assessed research-based relationships, identifying possible barriers to and gaps in successful collaboration. We developed an algorithm capable of identifying author affiliation and associated disciplines. We found that pest management and climate scientists most often authored papers in their respective disciplines (>90%), but rarely in the opposing disciplines (<1%). Atopica, an international research group, is one of the few examples of how interdisciplinary collaborations have led to the co-production of knowledge to better understand and manage a pest responding to climate change. Researcher-to-researcher relationships, as demonstrated by Atopica, are an often overlooked area of science and key to solving major societal challenges. Unlabelled Image • A low number of published papers focus on both pest biology and climate change. • It is rare for individual authors to publish on both pest biology and climate change. • Few collaborative relationships exist between pest biologists and climate scientists. • The lack of collaboration is impacting our ability to solve societal problems associated with climate change and pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper aims to review the existing occurrence data in Spanish groundwater (GW) for the emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) defined in the surface water Watch Lists of Decisions 2015/495/EU and 2018/840/EU since these contaminants are likely to reach GW bodies because surface waters show close interaction with GW. These two lists include 20 substances: 9 pesticides (5 neonicotinoids, 2 carbamates, 1 oxadiazole and 1 semicarbazone), 6 pharmaceuticals (diclofenac and 5 antibiotics), 3 estrogens, 1 UV filter (2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate, EHMC) and 1 antioxidant (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, BHT). Most of these substances are usually detected at low ng/L concentration range or not detected in the GW bodies of Spain. However, eventually they are reported at concentrations > 100 ng/L (e.g., imidacloprid, methiocarb, diclofenac, macrolide antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, EHMC and BHT). Consequently, it is required to set up drinking water standards, and/or GW threshold quality values because GW is a valuable water resource worldwide. Overall, GW is less contaminated than other water bodies, such as rivers, suggesting that aquifers possess a natural attenuation capacity and/or are less vulnerable than rivers to contamination. Nevertheless, the natural hydrogeochemical processes that control the fate and transformation of these substances during infiltration and in the aquifer have been barely investigated so far. The concentrations of the target EOCs are used to calculate hazard quotients (HQs) in the Spanish GW bodies as an estimation of their ecotoxicity and in order to compare somehow their chemical quality with respect to those of surface water. Due to the limited ecotoxicity data for most EOCs, HQs can only be calculated for few substances. The results pointed out the risk posed by the anti-inflammatory diclofenac towards Ceriodaphnia dubia (HQ = 21) and the medium risk associated to the antibiotic erythromycin for Brachionus calyciflorus (HQ = 0.46). Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Review on the Watch List substances for EU-monitoring in the groundwater of Spain • Groundwater is considerably less contaminated than surface and waste waters. • Some substances are eventually detected at high concentrations (>100 ng/L). • Insufficient data exists to assess the fate of these substances in groundwater. • Groundwater chemical status needed for risk assessment and future regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The archaeological site of Hierapolis (Denizli province, Turkey) is unique in terms of the conservation of marbles and travertines. Environmental factors (i.e. interaction with thermal waters, high thermal stress, CO 2 degassing) and geological aspects (presence of seismic faults, frequent earthquakes, formation of travertine) play a fundamental role in the durability and conservation state of the stone materials. This paper presents a multi-analytical approach aimed to identify the phenomena and causes of stone decay related to environmental conditions. The analyses of alteration and decay phenomena are discussed together with the monitoring of the main environmental parameters and with analyses of waters and gases present in the archaeological site. Finally, the need of a continuous monitoring of the environmental parameters affecting the archaeological site is stressed. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A multi-analytical approach allows a huge data acquisition regarding the state of conservation of an archaeological site. • The phenomena and causes of stone decay related to environmental conditions were evaluated. • Monitoring of environmental parameters (T and RH) and analyses of water and gas chemical composition were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of water resource management in Brazil, in particular the state of Rio de Janeiro, and in the European Union, with an emphasis on member country Portugal. The study examines the primary laws, governing bodies and water resource plans. The paper describes the concerns and interests of the scientific community and other sectors of society with regard to water resource management. The paper also draws attention to challenges and opportunities concerning the main objective of water resource management, which is to ensure the availability of water of high quality and sustainable quantity. Additionally, it also mentions good and poor management practices. Among the concerns highlighted are integrated water resource management and water resource monitoring. The objective of this study was to contribute to water resource management processes. The primary reasons for this study are the growing scarcity of freshwater in the world, recurrent problems in managing this resource and a desire to contribute to the improvement of the current situation. The study of water management in different contexts allows for a greater understanding of the subject, thereby assisting the decision-making of managers and society in general with regard to environmental quality and ecological and human health. There is an increasing interest in efficient water resource management, which creates a demand for information on the subject. Both Brazil and the European Union are facing problems related to quantity and quality of water. Problems like scarcity of freshwater, contamination, salinization, and floods. This makes the realities of them quite close, despite the physical distance between them. In general, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, the European Union and Portugal have similar water resource management requirements. If these regions are to supply a consistent quantity of high-quality water to present and future generations, then they need effective laws and plans, efficient managing agencies, political interest and economic resources. Investments in research and developing water resource management plans are inefficient measures if they are not implemented with special emphasis on monitoring and inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable crop protection (SCP) has many facets. Farmers may therefore perceive transition to SCP as very complex. The Dual Indicator Set for Crop Protection Sustainability (DISCUSS) can handle this complexity. To provide targeted support throughout the transition to SCP, complexity capture must be synchronised with the time course of on-farm decision-making. Tool use must be tuned to farmer awareness and appropriate level of data in consecutive stages. This paper thus explores the potential functionalities of DISCUSS in relation to both complexity and time. Results from apple and potato crop protection show three potential functions: DISCUSS can be used as (1) a simulation tool for communication and decision support, (2) an assessment and monitoring tool, and (3) a discussion support tool for farmer groups. Analysis of these functionalities using a framework for guiding on-farm sustainability assessment and strategic decision-making shows how each functionality can support the consecutive steps of transition to SCP, i.e. using the right tool functionality at the right time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Combined sewer overflow (CSO) events produced in combined sewer systems (CSS) during wet weather conditions are a threat for the receiving water bodies. The large number of CSO structures normally present in a CSS makes that the monitoring of the complete CSO network in a simultaneous way would drastically increase the investment costs. In this paper, a new methodology is presented aiming to characterize the occurrence and duration of CSO events by means of low-cost temperature sensors. Hence, a large number of CSO structures can be simultaneously monitored and the system can be characterized as a whole. The method assumes temperature differences between the overflowing mix of wastewater and stormwater and the sewer gas phase, so the temperature shift produced during a rainfall episode is related to a CSO event occurrence. The method has been tested and validated in La Garriga CSS (Spain) where the temperature at 13 CSO weirs was monitored for a period of 1year (57 rainfall episodes). For the whole set of CSO events, occurrence and duration were successfully determined in 80% of cases. Advantages, limitations and potential applications of the method are discussed at the end of the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of natural attenuation (NA) processes for contaminated site cleanup and remediation has been gaining more attention over the last few years. However, the need for an inventory of the existing information concerning monitored natural attenuation (MNA), including the existing return on experience, has been sounding increasingly louder over recent years as well. This paper will focus on the application of MNA throughout Europe. First, a literature study and a survey were performed in order to collect all available data on both qualitative and quantitative aspects of MNA. Secondly, a questionnaire was created and sent out to experts in the field of regulation and research from six countries, including Finland, Spain, and the UK. Thirdly, further contributions from a SNOWMAN workshop concerning MNA (November 7th, 2011, Paris) were included in this paper. The result is a state of the art concerning MNA for several countries, including the legal framework and existing protocols, a comparison between different countries, and an overview of some existing MNA cases throughout Europe combined with a discussion on relevant aspects related to “return on experience”. The results demonstrate that MNA is now considered to be a conventional remediation technique in most countries that were included in this study. Although MNA is currently being applied for the remediation of contaminated sites, some countries still don''t recognise it as an official remediation technique (e.g. Finland). This study also confirms and illustrates the differences concerning the MNA approach that exists between different countries, as well as the differences in application levels. However, it is important to note that at the same time a certain level of coherence exists concerning the MNA approach, e.g. with regard to the importance of biodegradation processes. Furthermore, the main outcome of this study emphasises the clear need to systematically collect and share information concerning existing MNA cases. Only then a clear return of experience will be possible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Earthquakes often cause destructive and unpredictable changes that can affect local hydrology (e.g. groundwater elevation or reduction) and thus disrupt land uses and human activities. Prolific agricultural regions overlie seismically active areas, emphasizing the importance to improve our understanding and monitoring of hydrologic and agricultural systems following a seismic event. A thorough data collection is necessary for adequate post-earthquake crop management response; however, the large spatial extent of earthquake's impact makes challenging the collection of robust data sets for identifying locations and magnitude of these impacts. Observing hydrologic responses to earthquakes is not a novel concept, yet there is a lack of methods and tools for assessing earthquake's impacts upon the regional hydrology and agricultural systems. The objective of this paper is to describe how remote sensing imagery, methods and tools allow detecting crop responses and damage incurred after earthquakes because a change in the regional hydrology. Many remote sensing datasets are long archived with extensive coverage and with well-documented methods to assess plant-water relations. We thus connect remote sensing of plant water relations to its utility in agriculture using a post-earthquake agrohydrologic remote sensing (PEARS) framework; specifically in agro-hydrologic relationships associated with recent earthquake events that will lead to improved water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the approach used to manage risk of chemical contamination of water bodies is based on the use of monitoring programmes, which provide a snapshot of the presence/absence of chemicals in water bodies. Monitoring is required in the current EU regulations, such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD), as a tool to record temporal variation in the chemical status of water bodies. More recently, a number of models have been developed and used to forecast chemical contamination of water bodies. These models combine information of chemical properties, their use, and environmental scenarios. Both approaches are useful for risk assessors in decision processes. However, in our opinion, both show flaws and strengths when taken alone. This paper proposes an integrated approach (moni-modelling approach) where monitoring data and modelling simulations work together in order to provide a common decision framework for the risk assessor. This approach would be very useful, particularly for the risk management of pesticides at a territorial level. It fulfils the requirement of the recent Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive. In fact, the moni-modelling approach could be used to identify sensible areas where implement mitigation measures or limitation of use of pesticides, but even to effectively re-design future monitoring networks or to better calibrate the pedo-climatic input data for the environmental fate models. A case study is presented, where the moni-modelling approach is applied in Lombardy region (North of Italy) to identify groundwater vulnerable areas to pesticides. The approach has been applied to six active substances with different leaching behaviour, in order to highlight the advantages in using the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, even at very low concentrations, has raised concerns among stakeholders such as drinking-water regulators, governments, water suppliers and the public, with regard to the potential risks to humans. Despite this, the occurrence and the fate of pharmaceuticals in drinking waters of many countries (e.g. in Poland) remains unknown. There is a lack of sufficiently sensitive and reliable analytical methods for such analyses and a need for more in-depth hydrogeological analysis of the possible sources of drug residues in drinking water. In this paper, a multi-residual method for the simultaneous determination of seventeen human pharmaceuticals in drinking waters has been developed. Large-volume extractions using Speedisk extraction disks, and derivatization prior to GC-MS-SIM analysis using a new silylating agent DIMETRIS were applied. The method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 0.9 to 5.7 ng/L and the absolute recoveries of the target compounds were above 80% for most analytes. The developed method was successfully applied in the analysis of the target compounds in drinking water collected in Gdansk (Poland), and of the 17 pharmaceuticals, 6 compounds were detected at least once. During the investigation, the geomorphology of the site region was taken into account, possible sources of pharmaceuticals in the analysed drinking water samples were investigated, and the presence of the drugs in ground and surface waters, raw and treated drinking waters was determined. Concentrations were also compared with those observed in other countries. As a result, this study has not only developed a new analytical method for determining pharmaceuticals in drinking waters as well as rendering missing information for Poland (a country with one of the highest consumptions of pharmaceuticals in Europe), but it also presents a modelled in-depth hydrogeological analysis of the real sources of drugs in drinking waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfate (SO 4 2−) affects the cycling of ecologically important substances, such as carbon, nutrients and metals, but the contribution of anthropogenic activities in sulfate load entering aquatic systems is poorly known. We calculate specific sulfate loads for land cover types, atmospheric deposition and point sources, and then estimate the source-specific flux of sulfate to Finnish surface waters. The largest sulfate flux, entering mostly the Baltic Sea, originates from agricultural fields on acid sulfate soil (24% of total flux). Forests on mineral soil, which cover 67% of the country's surface area, form the second largest source (21%). Additionally, agricultural fields on non-acid soil cause noticeable sulfate flux (16%). Pulp and paper mills were the key point sources (20%) for sulfate. We find that anthropogenic activities contribute to elevated sulfate levels in waters potentially affecting the cycling of nutrients, metals and formation of greenhouse gases in naturally sulfate-poor freshwaters. Based on these findings, sulfate should be systematically included in monitoring and pollution control measures. Unlabelled Image • SO 4 controls aquatic biogeochemistry, but its sources are not fully known. • We made an inventory of the key SO 4 sources of surface waters in Finland. • Agricultural and forest areas were the dominating diffuse sources of SO 4. • Pulp and paper mills accounted for 20% of the total SO 4 load. • SO 4 should be systematically included in monitoring and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pesticide contamination of groundwater is of paramount importance because it is the most sensitive and the largest body of freshwater in the European Union. In this paper, an isotopic dilution method based on on-line solid phase extraction–liquid chromatography (electrospray)–tandem mass spectrometry (SPE–LC(ESI)–MS/MS) was used for the analysis of 22 pesticides in groundwater. Results were evaluated from monitoring 112 wells and piezometers coming from 29 different aquifers located in 18 ground water bodies (GWBs), from Catalonia, Spain, for 4years as part of the surveillance and operational monitoring programs conducted by the Catalan Water Agency. The analytical method developed allows the determination of the target pesticides (6 triazines, 4 phenylureas, 4 organophosphorous, 1 anilide, 2 chloroacetanilides, 1 thiocarbamate, and 4 acid herbicides) in groundwater with good sensitivity (limits of detection <5ng/L), accuracy (relative recoveries between 85 and 116%, except for molinate), and repeatability (RSD<23%), and in a fully automated way. The most ubiquitous compounds were simazine, atrazine, desethylatrazine and diuron. Direct relation between frequency of detection of each target compound and Groundwater Ubiquity Score index (GUS index) is observed. Desethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine, metabolites of atrazine and simazine, respectively, presented the highest mean concentrations. Compounds detected in less than 5% of the samples were cyanazine, molinate, fenitrothion and mecoprop. According to the Directive 2006/118/EC, 13 pesticides have individual values above the requested limits (desethylatrazine, atrazine and terbuthylazine lead the list) and 14 samples have total pesticide levels above 500ng/L. The GWB with the highest levels of total pesticides is located in Lleida (NE-Spain), with 9 samples showing total pesticide levels above 500ng/L. Several factors such as regulation of the use of pesticides, type of activities in the area, and irrigation were discussed in relation to the observed levels of pesticides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, monitoring of total metal concentration in sludge samples from wastewater treatment process is elaborated. The presented results summarize the analyses of sludge samples in a period from 2008 to 2012. Possible sources of pollutions are given. Primarily, waste solid samples were collected from different pretreatment steps: (A) coarse grid, (B) fine grid and (C) aerated sand grease grid. Samples of A and B followed a repeatable pattern in 2008 and 2010. According to the results from 2008, samples of C contained measurable concentration of the following metals (mg/kg dry matter): Zn (21), Ni (1.05) and Ba (14.9). Several types of sludge samples were analyzed: fresh raw sludge (PS; 6–12hour old), the sludge from the digester for anaerobic sludge treatment (DS; 48–72hour old), samples from lagoons where the sludge is temporarily deposited (DOS and DOSold; 30–120days) and sludge samples from agricultural areas (AA; aged over 180days). Additionally, samples of dehydrated sludge (DEHS and DEHSold; 90–180days) were collected upon construction of equipment for sludge dehydration in 2011. An analysis of total metal concentrations for Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cd, Ba, As, Se, Sb, Co, Mo, Fe and Mn was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The most recent results (year 2011) indicated a high concentration of heavy metals in PS samples, exceeding the MCLs (mg/kg dry matter): Cu (2122), Zn (5945), Hg (13.67) and Cd (6.29). In 2012 (until July), only a concentration of Cu exceeded MCL (928.75 and 1230.5 in DS and DEHS, respectively). A composition of sludge was variable through time, offering the limited possibility for future prediction. The sludge is being considered as a hazardous waste and a subject of discussion regarding disposal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The distribution of technetium-99 (99Tc) in annual growth segments of the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from the southwestern coast of Norway is examined in samples collected from January to November 2006. A twenty-fold increase in the 99Tc-concentration from the youngest to the oldest growth segments was found. The concentrations ranged from 42 to 98Bq/kg dry weight (d.w.) and from 964 to 1000Bq/kg d.w. in growth segments formed in 2006 and 1996, respectively. In addition, a seasonal variation in the 99Tc concentration was observed in the actively growing 2006-segments: concentrations decreased from 98Bq/kg d.w. in April to 54Bq/kg d.w. in June; there was a further reduction from June to August (42Bq/kg d.w.); and, finally there was an increase from August to November (93Bq/kg d.w.). In most of the segments formed between 2000 and 2005, there was a tendency of slightly decreasing 99Tc-concentrations between June and November but this pattern was not observed for the older growth segments. In order to find an explanation for the non-homogenous distribution of 99Tc within thalli of A. nodosum, different hypotheses are discussed. Uptake and elimination of 99Tc appears to be most pronounced in the actively growing segments. To date, such non-homogenous distribution of 99Tc within thalli of A. nodosum has not been taken into consideration, neither in connection with sample collection nor analysis. This paper shows that special protocols must be followed if A. nodosum is going to be used as a bioindicator for 99Tc in the marine environment. A sampling strategy is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Following the discovery of a number of hot particles in the offshore environment of Dounreay on the North Coast of Scotland in 1997, the Dounreay site operator was required to introduce rapid and extensive beach monitoring. Since the introduction of vehicular based beach monitoring in 1999 there have been two further generations of beach monitoring equipment, developed to satisfy regulatory requirements for particle detection and in response to the recommendations of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group (DPAG). This paper reports the results of DPAG''s review of beach monitoring capabilities, evaluating the factors influencing detection capability, assessing the likely monthly particle abundance and whether there has been any real change in particle arrivals with time. The incorporation of real time kinematic GPS has enabled changes in beach elevation to be mapped, and thus allowed the assessment of whether particles detected have recently arrived or may have been buried undisturbed for extended periods of time. The results focus on Sandside Beach from which, between 1984 and December 2009, 150 particles have been recovered. This is by far the largest number of particles found on a Caithness Beach with the exception of the Foreshore of the Dounreay site. The results suggested that there is no evidence for a change in the rate of particle arrivals and DPAG estimated that there is a 1 in 20million chance of encountering a relevant particle via contact with the skin on Sandside Beach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The implementation of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) that requires all surface waters to achieve at least good status by year 2015 presents a challenge to local authorities responsible for the monitoring programmes. Obtaining a single representative value for each water quality parameter may be extremely difficult to achieve in the case of large lakes, which may be characterised by significant spatial and temporal variation of water quality parameters. The aim of this paper is to present a methodology, which can support the decision making as to the best locations for water quality sampling when developing monitoring systems of large lakes. The methodology is based on three-dimensional hydrodynamic and a conservative tracer transport numerical modelling and utilises the concept of flushing and residence time. The 3D numerical model of Lough Corrib located in the west of Ireland was created and used to calculate its residence time and flushing pathways. Based on the results it was possible to identify the areas in the lake that are characterised by the local residence time values close to the lake's average as well as by the values significantly lower and higher. Three water classes have been introduced and the authors recommend that sampling takes place in all three classes at various frequencies. Spatial distribution of the flushing pathways allows identifying the areas in the lake that best represent the lake's average conditions both in the long term and seasonally, where monitoring can be carried out at the required frequency; worst affected areas can also be identified. The methodology can be used to improve robustness of the monitoring programme and may also contribute towards the reduction of both sampling and analytical costs, both at the design and operational stages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports concentration levels of 22 chlorinated organic compounds (both primary compounds and metabolites) in food marketed in the city of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) in 2001–06. Samples included meat products, fish and seafood, eggs, milk and dairy, vegetal oils, cereal products and derivates, vegetables, fresh fruits, dry fruits, spices, formula and baby food, tea and wine. Levels of chlorinated organic compounds were determined by gas chromatography with selective detectors: electron capture (ECD), flame photometric (FPD) and confirmation with mass-spectrometry. Chlorinated organic pesticides were detected in 7 of the 1,484 samples analyzed in the 2001–06 period (0.5%): 1 dairy product, 1 fruit, 1 olive oil and 4 vegetables. Specific pesticides detected are lindane and endosulfan α, β or sulphate. A decrease in both the proportion of samples with detectable residues and in the variety of chlorinated pesticides found is visible when comparing these results with those of the previous 1989–2000 period. These results suggest the gradual disappearance of regulated chlorinated organic pesticides as a consequence of the growing worldwide implementation of current regulatory agreements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents, the concentrations of total Hg, Cd and Zn in edible muscle tissue, and in the liver of the fish Micropogonias furnieri and Mugil liza from the Samborombon Bay, La Plata river estuary, Argentina. The highest accumulation of the three metals was observed in liver samples, whereas in muscle tissue concentrations they were always lower, values even lower than the detection limit of the analytical method used. A marked relationship between metal contents of the studied species and their trophic and ecological habits was observed. In all cases, metal levels found in edible muscle tissue were lower than the international standards of reference for organisms directed to human consumption. Finally, the validity of using these two species as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in the assessed ecosystem was discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Monitoring is the process by which we keep the behaviour of the environment in view, providing essential information on how systems are changing and how fast, and allows us to learn to adjust what we are doing to get the best out of the system. This paper reviews the ways in which long-term study of the natural environment can be achieved. Three hydrological examples are then presented: nitrate leaching in a small agricultural catchment in south west England; the impact of drought on the peat-covered headwaters of the River Tees in northern England; and the impact of clear-felling on forest hydrology and nutrient export in the southern Appalachians. Monitoring programmes, if well designed and properly maintained, can provide important evidence of environmental change, revealing unexpected patterns and stimulating experimental research. The existence of long, reliable data sets considerably increases our ability to make informed decisions about the way in which we manage our river catchments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For almost four decades the British Trust for Ornithology has monitored populations of the commoner 35–50% of species of British breeding birds. The monitoring involves surveillance of numbers, breeding output and survival rates across the whole of the United Kingdom. A formal alert system allows serious declines to be identified and brought to the attention not only of conservationists and those responsible for countryside policy but also the general public. Demographic modelling, the gathering of ancillary information and linked research programmes allow the causes of declines to be identified. The paper details the operation of the programme, illustrated by examples. The system has resulted in the widespread declines in farmland birds that occurred in the last quarter of the 20th century being brought to the attention of conservation scientists, campaigners, policy-makers, politicians and the public. From this (and from the associated understanding of the causes of the declines) have stemmed policies aimed at reducing the problems and a commitment by government to halt the declines. The success of the programme rests on scientifically rigorous design and analysis, on a partnership between volunteer birdwatchers (who do most of the fieldwork) and professional ecologists (responsible for design and analysis) and on effective interaction between scientists and policy makers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Eurowaternet is a monitoring network designed to cover all European countries, with the overall objective of obtaining timely, quantitative and comparative information on the status of inland waters so that their key environmental problems can be defined, quantified and monitored. Finland launched the Eurowaternet for lakes in 2000. The network was set up according to guidelines of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and was based on national, regional and local monitoring programmes. It includes 253 lake sites, divided into the following groups by, for example, their loading background and size: (i) reference sites, (ii) point-source loading (impact) sites, (iii) agricultural sites, (iv) representative sites, i.e. lakes <100 km2 with typical water quality in the catchment and (v) lake deep sites in large lakes (>100 km2). We examined the water quality and its development during 1976–2001 in these groups, using data from surface and near-bottom water layers at summer and winter stagnation. In addition, the representativeness of the network was evaluated. Summer mean concentrations of total P (TP) during 1990–2001 in surface water were (i) 6.8±1.8 μg 1−1 in reference lakes, (ii) 24±5 μg 1−1 in lakes affected by point loading, (iii) 58±32 μg l−1 in agricultural lakes, (iv) 14±2.2 μg l−1 in representative lakes and (v) 11±2.1 μg l−1 in large lakes. Comparison with reference lakes revealed major impact of human activities on TP and total N (TN)—and consequently on chlorophyll a (a-chl) and transparency—in all other groups, especially agricultural lakes. Decreasing TP and increasing O2 trends were found at impact sites, reflecting water protection measures taken in pulp and paper mills and municipalities. More surprisingly, we found increasing alkalinity trends in all but agricultural sites and decreasing NO2–N+NO3–N (NOx–N) trends particularly in pelagic areas of large lakes. Comparison of water quality in Eurowaternet lakes with those in randomly sampled lakes (Finnish Lake Survey) revealed that the Eurowaternet covers the entire range of concentrations of TP, TN and conductivity in Finnish lakes, but <1-km2, eutrophic and/or brown water lakes are underrepresented. Only 0.2% of a total of 13 114 small lakes (0.1–1 km2) are included in the annual monitoring program of the Eurowaternet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, the current knowledge on tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) is compiled regarding all environmental and health aspects. TRWP generated on roads during driving processes contribute to airborne non-exhaust emissions and are discussed in connection with the microplastic pollution. The major amount of TRWP consists of coarser heterogenous particles released to road surface, soils and aquatic compartments. The extensive compilation of annual emissions of tyre wear for numerous countries shows per-capita-masses ranging from 0.2 to 5.5 kg/(cap*a). Ecotoxicological studies revealed effects on aquatic organisms, but test concentrations and materials do not reflect environmental conditions. Contribution of tyre wear to PM10 accounts for up to approx. 11 mass %. A recent thorough risk assessment indicates the risk for human health via inhalation to be low, but no information is available on the risk caused by intake via the food chain. Data on degradation is scarce and most studies do not use realistic materials and conditions. The only published degradation study performed under environmental conditions implies a half-life of tyre rubber particles in soils of 16 months. For truck tyres, which mainly contain natural rubber, shorter periods were observed under optimum conditions in laboratory tests. Concentrations of tyre wear compiled from environmental monitoring studies show highly variable concentrations in road runoff, road dust, roadside soils, river sediments and river water, with a general decrease following the transport paths. However, the behaviour of TRWP in freshwater referring to transport, degradation, and sedimentation is still unclarified. Environmental monitoring of TRWP is still hampered by challenges for analytics. Thus, data on environmental concentrations is rare and has mainly exemplary character. Further research is needed with regard to emission factors, development of analytical methods for environmental matrices, long-period monitoring, fate in surface waters and soils, (eco)toxicological impacts and degradation under realistic conditions. Unlabelled Image • Current knowledge on TRWP is reviewed, environmentally relevant data is compiled. • Data on annual tyre wear emissions estimated for various countries is reported. • Entry paths into the environment and environmental fate are discussed. • Degradation and ecotoxicological studies seldom apply real-world conditions. • Environmental monitoring of TRWP is still hampered by challenges for analytics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]