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Coypu (Myocastor coypus) was recognized as ecological engineer for its ability to alter wet habitats and build structures throughout its life cycle. Platforms still represent poorly studied structures built by this rodent for various purposes, including reproduction, resting and thermoregulation. In order to obtain data on plant composition, size and density on the territory of coypu's platforms, we carried out a study in a Mediterranean wetland reed bed, stratifying data on two sub-habitat types (back dune and canal banks). Platforms were composed exclusively of common reed (Phragmites australis) stems, leaves, and inflorescences; they were elliptical in shape, and significantly higher in the back dune than on the canal banks. Density of platforms was higher in the back dune than on the canal banks. Platforms have been used as resting and feeding sites, as showed by drone images and remnants of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). More than 40% of coypu's platforms along the canal banks showed traces of birds, suggesting an opportunistic use by waterfowls and waders. In this regard, platforms may be considered "key structures", locally increasing habitat heterogeneity. In a limited number of back dune platforms, remnants of plastic litter have been detected. The use of drone flights over wetlands may be useful to check the spatial pattern of coypu's platforms, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Ecological and management implications of our data have been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platforms are structures built by coypus for various purposes, such as reproduction, resting, and thermoregulation. In a coastal wetland of central Italy, during a study aimed at investigating the characteristics of coypu's platforms, it was recorded, for the first time worldwide, the presence of plastic in these structures. Through a transect survey, we censused 83 platforms, among which three (3.61%) were found with presence of macro- and megaplastics (polystyrene, polypropylene, and low-density polyethylene in film form; polyester, polyamide, and expanded polystyrene in fragments). Through the FTIR spectra, it was possible to highlight the degradation of the polymeric materials. To stimulate possible in-depth investigations at the level of the food chain (e.g., coypu predators, including canids) in wet habitats, we discussed possible causes and implications of plastic presence in coypus' nest structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most widespread global challenges is the insufficient provision of potable water, which affects individuals across diverse geographical regions. It is anticipated that issues related to water scarcity and quality will escalate in tandem with the expanding human population and the rapid pace of global development. Water sources are massively polluted hence, not safe for drinking nor irrigation. As a consequence, it is very important to have a water purification treatment plant to provide good water quality. Given the pressing need to ensure universal access to safe and clean drinking water, this investigation aims to engineer a compact and space-efficient apparatus that can expeditiously produce purified water. The proposed system seeks to optimize water purification performance while minimizing spatial requirements and operational duration. Its size is minimized by combining the three processes: coagulation, flocculation, and clarification together in one tank. Following to the aforementioned reservoir, an integrated natural system is employed to reduce the usage of chemicals and establish an ecologically sustainable platform. A hydraulic study is conducted to obtain the dimensioning of the several units which can be later scaled according to the flowrate. The latter was assumed in this study to be 2 L/s, then the compact unit can serve up to 800 persons by scaling the model and adjusting it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the overall performance and bed length effect of the horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (CW) process for full-scale municipal wastewater treatment. 168 samples were collected, including 84 samples in the hot and 84 in the cold season. Seven sampling points were selected as follows: (1) inlet raw wastewater, (2) effluent from an anaerobic pond, (3) from the first 5 m of the selected reed bed, (4) 5 m second, (5) 5 m third, (6) 5 m fourth, and (7) 5 m fifth from the reed bed. The evaluation parameters included biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 ), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). The results showed that the removal efficiency for the BOD5, COD, TSS, TN, and TP was equal to 90.6%, 90.1%, 94%, 50.2%, and 35.4%, respectively. In the final treated effluent, the concentration of all studied parameters was less than the maximum allowable amount for discharge to the receiving water. The results showed that although the treatment plant’s pollution load for BOD5 and COD parameters in winter was significantly higher than in summer, the treatment plant efficiency in winter was not significantly different from summer. The results also showed that a 15-m bed in the CW system is suitable for achieving the standard of the environmental protection organization of Iran for municipal wastewater treatment in the hot season; however, it seems not to be enough in the cold season. So, 25 m of reed bed length will be required in practice. Finally, it can be concluded that the Qasr-e-Shirin wastewater treatment plant has the proper capability to remove municipal wastewater pollutants in different temperature conditions and the quality of the final effluent indicates the accuracy of the design criteria for this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bee genus Pseudoanthidium is represented by nine species in Europe. Of these nine species, Pseudoanthidium nanum is the most widespread, occurs mainly in xerothermic open habitats and creates nests in various cavity types. In this study, we provide information on the nest structure of this species in reed stalks and oak galls and about its parasitic species. We provide the first report of P. nanum as a host of Xylophrurus augustus (Ichneumonidae). The biology of the much rarer related species Pseudoanthidium tenellum is described here for the first time. This species occurs in terrestrial reed beds and wet meadows with the presence of reed galls and flowering plants in the family Asteraceae and is rare throughout its entire distribution area. This species nests inside reed galls induced by Lipara frit flies, and the nest structure is very similar to that of P. nanum. We report new parasitic species of this bee, namely, the cuckoo bee Stelis punctulatissima, the predator-inquiline Gasteruption nigrescens and two parasitoids, Leucospis biguetina and Miltogramma punctata. This bee collects pollen mainly from wetland plants in Bidens and Pulicaria. We also describe mature larvae of both species. The larvae do not differ greatly from one another; only the shape of mandibles and sclerotisation of mouthparts are slightly different. Further research should address the ecological requirements of P. tenellum, a poorly understood reed gall inquiline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]