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COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value

Leverett et al. commented on the Environmental quality standard (EQS) for diclofenac derived under the European Water Framework Directive (Leverett et al. Environ Sci Eur 33: 133, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-021-00574-z). They postulated that the derived EQS value for diclofenac is not conducted according to the EQS Technical Guidance but rather using data of poor quality and relevance. Consequently, the authors suggested to use their alternative derived value instead. It is to be noted that the process for the EQS derivation for diclofenac is still ongoing and not finalized, and that as a consequence, any critical analysis is very premature. In general, within the current European Commission process, EQS value proposals are derived by expert groups led by the Joint Research Centre. In the specific case for diclofenac, Leverett and co-authors have also been actively involved as experts. This response to Leverett et al. (Environ Sci Eur 33:133, 2021) aims to clarify the reasoning-behind the proposal from a scientific point of view.

Cyanobacteria blooms are a worldwide concern for water bodies and may be promoted by eutrophication and climate change. The prediction of cyanobacterial blooms and identification of the main triggering factors are of paramount importance for water management. In this study, we analyzed a comprehensive dataset including ten-years measurements collected at Lake Varese, an eutrophic lake in Northern Italy. Microscopic analysis of the water samples was performed to characterize the community distribution and dynamics along the years. We observed that cyanobacteria represented a significant fraction of the phytoplankton community, up to 60% as biovolume, and a shift in the phytoplankton community distribution towards cyanobacteria dominance onwards 2010 was detected. The relationships between cyanobacteria biovolume, nutrients, and environmental parameters were investigated through simple and multiple linear regressions. We found that 14-days average air temperature together with total phosphorus may only partly explain the cyanobacteria biovolume variance at Lake Varese. However, weather forecasts can be used to predict an algal outbreak two weeks in advance and, eventually, to adopt management actions. The prediction of cyanobacteria algal blooms remains challenging and more frequent samplings, combined with the microscopy analysis and the metagenomics technique, would allow a more conclusive analysis.

In the past decade, social innovation projects have gained the attention of policy makers, as they address important social issues in an innovative manner. A database of social innovation is an important source of information that can expand collaboration between social innovators, drive policy and serve as an important resource for research. Such a database needs to have projects described and summarized. In this paper, we propose and compare several methods (e.g. SVM-based, recurrent neural network based, ensambled) for describing projects based on the text that is available on project websites. We also address and propose a new metric for automated evaluation of summaries based on topic modelling.

An evaluation of conventional emission scenarios is carried out targeting a possible impact of European Union (EU) policies on riverine loads to the European seas for 3 pilot pollutants: lindane, trifluralin, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The policy scenarios are investigated to the time horizon of year 2020 starting from chemical-specific reference conditions and considering different types of regulatory measures including business as usual (BAU), current trend (CT), partial implementation (PI), or complete ban (PI ban) of emissions. The scenario analyses show that the model-estimated lindane load of 745 t to European seas in 1995, based on the official emission data, would be reduced by 98.3% to approximately 12.5 t in 2005 (BAU scenario), 10 years after the start of the EU regulation of this chemical. The CT and PI ban scenarios indicate a reduction of sea loads of lindane in 2020 by 74% and 95%, respectively, when compared to the BAU estimate. For trifluralin, an annual load of approximately 61.7 t is estimated for the baseline year 2003 (BAU scenario), although the applied conservative assumptions related to pesticide use data availability in Europe. Under the PI (ban) scenario, assuming only small residual emissions of trifluralin, we estimate a sea loading of approximately 0.07 t/y. For PFOS, the total sea load from all European countries is estimated at approximately 5.8 t/y referred to 2007 (BAU scenario). Reducing the total load of PFOS below 1 t/y requires emissions to be reduced by 84%. The analysis of conventional scenarios or scenario typologies for emissions of contaminants using simple spatially explicit GIS-based models is suggested as a viable, affordable exercise that may support the assessment of implementation of policies and the identification or negotiation of emission reduction targets. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;X:000–000. © 2013 SETAC Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:48–59. © 2013 SETAC

A new integrated model that includes a hydrodynamic model coupled with a contaminant fate and effect sub-model and an ecological sub-model is presented and validated using data from mesocosm experiments. The experiments were carried out in the Isefjord (Denmark) and include the combined effects of nutrients and pyrene addition on the lower trophic levels of bacteria, zooplankton and phytoplankton. The model was able to correctly represent the main dynamics observed in the mesocosms during the 11 days of the experiment and thereby confirmed that it is possible to represent short-term changes in the system with a simplified food-web model on a small spatial and temporal scale. Finally, the validated model was used to carry out a scenario analysis to investigate the effects of a contaminant pulse at different pyrene concentrations and different release timings. Results showed that the ecosystem's vulnerability to a pyrene pulse depends on the initial condition of the system. Stronger biomass reduction was observed when the pulse was released during the zooplankton bloom. Conversely, when the pulse was added at low biomass and before the bloom, the system showed a tendency to behave non-linearly., JRC.H.1-Water Resources

A bioaccumulation model to predict concentrations of s-triazine herbicides in the macroalgae Ulva rigida and in clams Tapes philippinarum has been implemented, calibrated and validated. The model uses input data from a 3D biogeochemical model that provides biomasses in the different compartments, i.e. phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria; and from a 3D fate model that provides the herbicides concentrations in the water column as well as in the sediments. Simulated data were compared with experimental data collected during a set of sampling campaigns carried out in 2004 and 2005 in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Northern Adriatic). The model predicts correctly the concentrations of herbicides measured in Ulva rigida and reproduces with good agreement the values of concentration of herbicides found in clams. Furthermore, the simulated spatial and temporal dynamics in the biota compartment, following those of the water and sediments, are also in agreement with the experimental data. This integrated approach combining biogeochemical, fate and bioaccumulation models provide an overall assessment of the importance of the different environmental compartments and it can also support the testing of different management strategies to improve ecosystem state and functioning. Further research is necessary to elucidate the role and importance of the metabolism of these compounds by clams., JRC.H.1-Water Resources

A non-linear time series analysis technique, recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) based on recurrence plots (RP), is proposed in this paper for the characterization of regime shifts in environmental time series. Its application is illustrated for two case studies: lake eutrophication by excessive phosphorous and the regime shift that occurred in Ringkobing Fjord when water exchange with the North Sea was modified. The results show that RQA is robust against high noise levels (up to 100%) and may be easily implemented on-line. In addition, oxygen dynamics in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Sacca di Goro) is also analyzed and the results compared with surrogate time series with oxygen concentration at saturation. RPs could be used for graphically exploring possible thresholds or breaking points, whereas RQA parameters are suited for locating them. The main drawback is the need of a constant sampling frequency with no gaps, which may be problematic for some environmental time series.

Sea transport is considered globally as one of the most environmentally harmless forms of transport. For this reason the ports’ activities are a subject to special precautions to ensure that they support the sustainable and environment friendly development of sea conditions. The work presents, first, the main features of the common model (CM) for improved seaports’ ecology, and second, it elucidates the guidelines about the preparation of Managing Action Plans (MAP) for South-East Europe (SEE) harbors. Also, the work describes the general structure of MAP and gives a list of tangible instructions and recommendations streaming the elaboration of MAP for an improved management of SEE seaports of TEN-T.

The study employs the biogeochemical budget methodology of multi-compartment LOICZ model to the complex system of Burgas port and Burgas bay. Main model input data are turbidity and concentrations of phosphorous, nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a. Two distinct seasonal periods are considered in the study—low precipitation (September–November) and high precipitation (December–April). Internal nutrient fluxes are estimated and their dependence on nutrient load is discussed. The results show that system varies between autotrophy and heterotrophy during the year due to rainfall regimes, human activities in the basin, and the associated runoff and phosphorus loads or releases from sediments.

In the framework of the activities of the TEN ECOPORT project, carried out with a “closed chain” approach, the Environmental Management System (EMS) and its additional instruments, already individuated and implemented in the previous experience of ECOPORT 8, become effective through the enforcement of a managing action plan (MAP) which needs to be periodically checked to ensure that the quality system continues to meet the requirements of the standards and to permit a continual improvement. With the aim of checking the effectiveness of the EMS chosen within Southeast Europe (SEE) ports, the process performance measures and monitoring (PPMM) and its control system (CS), based on a closed chain used to explicit causes and effects related to a particular situation, were applied in order to recognize the bottlenecks on which it is necessary to intervene with priority with the aim of achieving an effective sustainable management of SEE Ports.

The work presents results of numerical investigations, based on COHERENS model, for Sacca di Goro coastal lagoon. COHERENS is a 3D hydrodynamic finite-difference multi-purpose model for coastal and shelf seas, which could be coupled to biological, resuspension and contaminant transport models and resolves mesoscale to seasonal scale processes. At this stage, the effort is focused mainly on the physical aspects of the modelling as an important background for the future investigation of nutrient dynamics, biogeochemical processes and contaminant transport in Sacca di Goro. The model is forced by considering tidal surface elevation at open sea boundary, river discharges, surface stress as a function of wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity and cloud coverage, bottom roughness and heat flux through sea surface. The numerical model was tested and verified against short observations for water surface elevation and currents during high tide events and also using complete 1 year series of salinity and temperature records. After the calibration phase, surface elevation and current patterns formed under variety of tide and wind forcing have been studied. The travelling times of coming/outgoing Adriatic Sea tides and residence times for the different parts of lagoon have been also calculated. Finally, the differences in temperature and salinity fields calculated before and after an intervention to improve lagoon–Adriatic Sea exchange have been analysed.

As a result of the recent scientific and experimental studies new microprocessor devices have been developed of the ore grinding process control system. The brief description of the new method and a sensor for ball mill loading, the microprocessor control module the floating densimeter and the regulable ore and water feeders is given. The modem variant of the automated ore grinding control system build up with herewith described technical devices is shown in the paper. Besides the good economic results the system improves the overall labour organization.

The paper presents an analysis of measured riverine concentrations of 16 common organic water contaminants. From observed concentrations we back-calculate emissions and chemical half lives through a simple inverse model. The analysis does not allow identifying a single half life/emission factor combination, but a set of combinations which are Pareto-optimal (or "non-dominated"). The approach is shown to provide a rational basis for the screening of chemicals in rivers: with reference to the 16 chemicals considered here, estimated emission factors and half lives are consistent with the ones reported in other studies. For more precise estimates, prior knowledge about either emission factors or half lives is necessary. For the considered chemicals, loads to European seas can be subsequently estimated with an uncertainty usually within a factor of 2. The approach can be proposed for the inventorying of catchment-specific chemical pollutant emissions required for European environmental policies.

Predictions of laminar-turbulent transition in the two-dimensional and axisymmetric boundary layers under the influence of low free-stream turbulence levels are presented. A ‘near-wall’ version of the k -e turbulence model is used for simulation of turbulent transport. The calculations are based on Patankar and Spalding's finite difference algorithm. It is known that for high free-stream turbulence levels, the k -e model simulates the transition well but it fails for low ones. In the present work, calculations are successfully, made for low turbulence levels using Abu-Ghannam and Shaw's correlation for determination of the flow transition point and Dhawan and Narasimha's intermittency factor in the transition zone. The examples include various levels of free-stream turbulence as well as a variety of boundary layers on a rotary ellipsoid. The numerical results are compared with experimental data and the agreement is good.

A 3D hydrodynamic and contaminant fate model was implemented for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in Thau lagoon. The hydrodynamic model was tested against temperature and salinity measurements, while the contaminant fate model was assessed against available data collected at different stations inside the lagoon. The model results allow an assessment of the spatial and temporal variability of the distribution of contaminants in the lagoon, the seasonality of loads and the role of atmospheric deposition for the input of PCDD/Fs. The outcome suggests that air is an important source of PCDD/Fs for this ecosystem, therefore the monitoring of air pollution is very appropriate for assessing the inputs of these contaminants. These results call for the development of integrated environmental protection policies.

The possible use of chemical concentrations measured in mussels (Mytillus galloprovincialis) for compliance checking against Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) established for biota is analyzed with the help of an integrated model. The model consists of a 3D planktonic module that provides biomasses in the different compartments, i.e., phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria; a 3D fate module that provides the concentrations of contaminants in the water column and in the sediments; and a 3D bioaccumulation module that calculates internal concentrations in relevant biotic compartments. These modules feed a 0D growth and bioaccumulation module for mussels, based on the Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) approach. The integrated model has been applied to study the bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Thau lagoon (France). The model correctly predicts the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in mussels as a function of the concentrations in the water column and in phytoplankton. It also sheds light on the origin of the complexity associated with the use of EQS for biota and their conversion to water column concentrations. The integrated model is potentially useful for regulatory purposes, for example in the context of the European Water Framework (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directives (MSFD)., JRC.DG.I.6-Systems toxicology

Spatio-temporal variability of pollutants in the environment is a complex phenomenon that requires a combined approach for its analysis. Whereas data on measured levels of contaminants in various environmental compartments is essential, it is not always possible to monitor at the necessary frequency and with the adequate spatial sampling distribution to capture this variability. Therefore a modeling approach able to complement experimental data and close the gaps in the monitoring programs is useful for assessing these different temporal scales. In this work a 1D water column fate model has been developed and tested for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The model has been coupled with a simple ecological model that includes a bioaccumulation module. Afterwards, the model has been used to study the temporal variability of contaminant concentrations as well as the fluxes between compartments. The results evidence the complex coupling between spatio-temporal scales and its influence on environmental concentration levels., JRC.H.1-Water Resources

Pristine coastal shallow systems are usually dominated by extensive meadows of seagrass species, which are assumed to take advantage of nutrient supply from sediment. An increasing nutrient input is thought to favour phytoplankton, epiphytic microalgae, as well as opportunistic ephemeral macroalgae that coexist with seagrasses. The primary cause of shifts and succession in the macrophyte community is the increase of nutrient load to water; however temperature plays also an important role. A competition model between rooted seagrass (Zostera marina), macroalgae (Ulva sp), and phytoplankton has been developed to analyse the succession of primary producer communities in these systems. Successions of dominance states, with different resilience characteristics, are found when modifying the input of nutrients and the seasonal temperature and light intensity forcing., 33 pages, including 10 figures. To appear in Ecological Complexity

11 pages, 9 figures., The effect of vertical turbulent mixing on the dynamics of persistent organic pollutants has long been overlooked and its role is still hardly understood. Here we present the first comprehensive analysis of the role of turbulent diffusion on the distribution of those contaminants and its interplay with sinking fluxes. To this end, a 1D dynamic coupled hydrodynamic-contaminant model has been developed and applied to a Mediterranean continental shelf environment. The hydrodynamic sub-model is adapted from COHERENS, the contaminant sub-model is an improvement from the BIODEP model and considers the contaminant in 3 phases: dissolved-colloidal-particulate. The simulation highlights the role of turbulence in determining the POP distribution and variability in the water column. In short, turbulent flux of contaminants strengthens the upward diffusion of sediment entrained contaminants and determines the extent to which inputs from the atmosphere mix into the water column. It acts in parallel with degradation and sinking fluxes, the combined effect yielding a surface enriched – depth depleted – benthic layer enriched region distribution, which presents similarities to reported experimental measures., This work was supported by the sixth framework programme through the project Thresholds of Environmental Sustainability (European Commission FP6, SUST-DEV, IP Project 003933-2). Meteorological data used in this study were acquired from the ECMWF 40 Years Re-Analysis (http://www.ecmwf.int/), the remote sensing data were acquired as part of the SeaWIFS Project (http://seawifs. gsfc.nasa.gov/SEAWIFS.html).

Sacca di Goro is a shallow coastal microtidal lagoon with a surface area of 26 km 2 , and an average depth of about 1.5 m. Fresh water pollutant loads from Po River branches and several drainage canals lead to anthropogenic eutrophication, frequent summer anoxia crises and chemical contamination. Such events not only affect the lagoon ecosystem but also cause serious economic losses, the lagoon being the second largest producer of clams in Italy. The present work aims at using a fate model coupled with COHERENS 3D hydrodynamic model to simulate and to explain the spatial distribution and temporal variations of s-triazines herbicides in the Sacca di Goro lagoon. The simulation results of spatial and temporal dynamic behaviour of atrazine, simazine and terbuthylazine have been compared with experimental data obtained during an annual monitoring programme.

GRID computing in the Internet faces two fundamental challenges. First the development of an appropriate middleware for provision of computing services in a scalable and secure manner. Second the distributed, scalable and fast connection of GRID processing components to the network. The latter is important to enable fast data exchange among the distributed components of virtualized super-computers.

Unsaturated zone models are useful tools in predicting effects of measures and can be used to optimise agricultural practice aiming to minimise the impact on the environment. However, current soil models have a varying degree of abstraction level referring to simulated processes in time and space. In the framework of an EU funded project the SWAP (Soil¿Water¿Atmosphere¿Plant) and ANIMO (Agricultural-Nutrient-Model) models were tested for an experimental arable plot in Bulgaria. SWAP was used to simulate water flow in the soil while ANIMO describes nitrogen movement and transformations. The objectives of this study are: (i) to show results of the combined application of water and nitrogen dynamics of originally Dutch models SWAP and ANIMO for specific Bulgarian soil and hydrological conditions; (ii) to calibrate and evaluate SWAP and ANIMO models by comparing numerical results with field measurements collected for an arable field in western Bulgaria and (iii) to analyse possible contamination of groundwater due to agricultural practice in the considered region. Further a short description of the experimental plot, as well as information about parameters of the investigated soil profiles, is provided. The obtained SWAP results evidenced that the model gives sufficient adaptation for soil water dynamics. The simulations of ANIMO for nitrogen cycle show greater divergence with observations but are satisfactory precise for the purposes of assessing land use impact on groundwater quality. In general, differences between model results and field measurements do not exceed 10¿15%. For the experimental plot predictions indicate nitrate-N concentrations less then 5 mg/l in deeper soil compartments and low downward annual flux containing 0.133 kg N/ha. These results indicate that there is no serious pollution of the shallow groundwater table by nitrogen resulting from land use and agricultural activities.

Vegetated riparian areas alongside streams are thought to be effective at intercepting and controlling chemical loads from diffuse agricultural sources entering water bodies. Based on a recently compiled European map of riparian zones and a simplified soil chemical balance model, we propose a new indicator at a continental scale. QuBES (Qualitative indicator of Buffered Emissions to Streams) allows a qualitative assessment of European rivers exposed to pesticide input. The indicator consists of normalised pesticide loads to streams computed through a simplified steady-state fate model that distinguishes various chemical groups according to physico-chemical behaviour (solubility and persistence). The retention of pollutants in the buffer zone is modelled according to buffer width and sorption properties. While the indicator may be applied for the study of a generic emission pattern and for a chemical of generic properties, we demonstrate it to the case of agricultural emissions of pesticides. Due to missing geo-spatial data of pesticide emissions, a total pesticide emission scenario is assumed. The QuBES indicator is easy to calculate and requires far less input data and parameterisation than typical chemical-specific models. At the same time, it allows mapping of (i) riparian buffer permeability, (ii) chemical runoff from soils, and (iii) the buffered load of chemicals to the stream network. When the purpose of modelling is limited to identifying chemical pollution patterns and understanding the relative importance of emissions and natural attenuation in soils and stream buffer strips, the indicator may be suggested as a screening level, cost-effective alternative to spatially distributed models of higher complexity.