Effects of sewage discharges on microbial components in tropical coastal waters (Senegal, West Africa)

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Bouvy ◽  
Enora Briand ◽  
Maimouna M. Boup ◽  
Patrice Got ◽  
Christophe Leboulanger ◽  
...  

Coastal ecosystems are frequently submitted to anthropogenic pressure but little is known about how the dynamics of aquatic communities can be altered. The impact of urban and industrial discharges on microbial plankton was studied in Hann Bay near Dakar (Senegal) on the Atlantic Ocean. Spatial patterns were studied using three transects, with a total of 20 stations, during two periods in May and November (before and after the seasonal upwelling), revealing a clear contrast between near shore stations and the intermediate and seaward stations. In November, phytoplankton were associated with dissolved nutrient availability (e.g. with nitrate, r = 0.76) whereas in May, phytoplankton were more correlated with microbial variables (e.g. with heterotrophic nanoflagellates, r = 0.63). Most samples (40) failed to meet the quality levels for the faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) defined by the European Union bathing water quality directive. The topography plays a major role in water circulation explaining the presence of FIB at the seaward stations. The high prevalence of FIB during the two periods suggests chronic pollution and a potential risk to recreational swimmers and fish consumers in Hann Bay. Thus, as demonstrated in various temperate systems, the decline of water quality constitutes a serious problem in many West African countries.

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Bouvy ◽  
Enora Briand ◽  
Maimouna M. Boup ◽  
Patrice Got ◽  
Christophe Leboulanger ◽  
...  

Coastal ecosystems are frequently submitted to anthropogenic pressure but little is known about how the dynamics of aquatic communities can be altered. The impact of urban and industrial discharges on microbial plankton was studied in Hann Bay near Dakar (Senegal) on the Atlantic Ocean. Spatial patterns were studied using three transects, with a total of 20 stations, during two periods in May and November (before and after the seasonal upwelling), revealing a clear contrast between near shore stations and the intermediate and seaward stations. In November, phytoplankton were associated with dissolved nutrient availability (e.g. with nitrate, r = 0.76) whereas in May, phytoplankton were more correlated with microbial variables (e.g. with heterotrophic nanoflagellates, r = 0.63). Most samples (40) failed to meet the quality levels for the faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) defined by the European Union bathing water quality directive. The topography plays a major role in water circulation explaining the presence of FIB at the seaward stations. The high prevalence of FIB during the two periods suggests chronic pollution and a potential risk to recreational swimmers and fish consumers in Hann Bay. Thus, as demonstrated in various temperate systems, the decline of water quality constitutes a serious problem in many West African countries.


Author(s):  
Krzysztof Pawłowski ◽  
Wawrzyniec Czubak

The 2nd pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy plays a very significant role in shaping the image of a modern, European village. It’s impact on the development of agriculture and rural areas seems to be obvious, for example because of the place it occupies in the structure of the European Union budget. However, it’s very important to precisely determine the effects of its implementation. Therefore, in this article the main goal was to show the reasons for diversifying the implementation of the Rural Development Program 2007–2013 in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Against the background of differences in the economic and production situation of the agricultural sector, the design of the Programs was evaluated and it’s impact on changes in the agricultural sectors of these countries was compared. To show the impact of the funds of the second pillar of the CAP, the time range presenting changes in agriculture covers the years before and after integration. Based on them, a comparison of the implemented activities and the structure of their financing has been made.


2018 ◽  
pp. 85-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geranda Notten ◽  
Anne-Catherine Guio

In 2010, the European Union (EU) committed to lifting at least 20 million people out of poverty and social exclusion, using income poverty, severe material deprivation, and (quasi-)joblessness as metrics to measure progress on this goal. As part of a broader set of commonly agreed indicators, the EU also (crudely) measures the impact of transfers by comparing income poverty rates before and after social transfers. This chapter develops a regression approach to study the effects of transfers on material deprivation by predicting the material deprivation rate before social transfers. We apply the method to pre-recession and post-austerity EU-SILC data for Germany, Greece, Poland, and the United Kingdom. We find that, in addition to reducing income poverty, transfers substantially reduce the extent and depth of material deprivation. Changes in social transfers, therefore, have a twofold effect on Europe’s poverty-reduction target.


2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. I. Heaney ◽  
R. H. Foy ◽  
G. J. A. Kennedy ◽  
W. W. Crozier ◽  
W. C. K. O' Connor

Agriculture in Northern Ireland depends on grass-based production, but since 1980, expansion of output has been effectively constrained by production limits set by the European Union agricultural policy. Despite this, long-term monitoring over several decades has shown significant degradation of water quality in Lough Neagh, with persistent high biomass of blue-green algae. Similar long-term studies have revealed a marked decline in the freshwater survival of salmon in the nearby River Bush. These changes may be related and reflect the impact of farming on water quality and salmonid production. Regular sampling of the inflowing rivers to Lough Neagh has shown that continued increase in lake phosphorus concentration has been primarily due to an increase in the soluble reactive phosphorus loading from agricultural diffuse sources. Similar diffuse inputs of agriculturally derived nutrients to the River Bush, leading to increased plant growth together with the accumulation of fine sediment in salmon spawning redds, are considered to be important in the decline of freshwater survival of salmon from egg to smolt. The impact of farming practices on lakes and rivers is considered in relation to understanding of the complex and interacting factors that link land use to water quality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1381-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed N. F. Shaheen ◽  
Elmahdy M. Elmahdy

Abstract Sewage discharge is considered to be the primary source of viral contamination in aquatic environments. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of El-Rahawy wastewater on the water quality of the Rosetta branch of the River Nile (Rosetta River Nile) through detection of astrovirus (AstV) and norovirus (NoV) in the water and sediments of both sites. For this purpose, we collected 72 wastewater and 12 sediment samples from El-Rahawy drain, and 12 river water and 12 sediment samples from Rosetta River Nile before and after mixing with El-Rahawy wastewater between April 2017 and March 2018. AstVs and NoVs were identified in wastewater (40.2% versus 25%), El-Rahawy sediment (41.6% versus 20.8%), river water after mixing with wastewater (25% versus 16.6%), river water before mixing with wastewater (8.3% versus 0%), river sediment after mixing with wastewater (16.6% versus 8.3%), and no viruses were found in river sediments before mixing with wastewater. AstV genogroup B and NoV genogroup GI were the most frequently detected genotypes in the analyzed samples, with a peak incidence in the winter months. Increasing detection rates of both viruses in El-Rahawy drain samples and river water taken from the Rosetta branch after receiving El-Rahawy wastewater reflect the impact of this drain on the water quality of this stretch of the River Nile.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narisong Huhe ◽  
Daniel Naurin ◽  
Robert Thomson

We assess the impact of the United Kingdom’s 2016 decision to leave the European Union on the Council of the European Union, where Brexit is likely to have the clearest observable implications. Using concepts and models from the spatial model of politics and network analysis, we formulate and test expectations regarding the effects of Brexit. We examine two of the most prominent datasets on recent decision-making in the European Union, which include data on cooperation networks among member states before and after the 2016 referendum. Our findings identify some of the political challenges that Brexit will bring, but also highlight the factors that are already helping the European Union’s remaining member states to adapt to Brexit.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalya Ketenci

This article investigates the effect of the customs union between Turkey and the European Union on the balance of trade in Turkey. The framework for analysis is an extended trade gravity model onto which the impact of the customs union is applied. The gravity model of trade is estimated using dynamic panel data which applies the generalized method of moments to a sample of OECD countries. Separate estimates were made for the periods before and after the process of trade liberalization in Turkey—1980–1995 and 1996–2012, respectively—as well as for the full period—1980–2012. The main conclusion is that when the European Union is accounted for as an econometric variable, the empirical results are striking: Turkey’s gains resulting from taking part in the customs union are noteworthy, with significant improvement in the trade balance with European Union countries. However, the trade flows, and specifically imports, have been mainly with OECD countries that are themselves not members of the EU. The model indicates that external common tariffs are responsible for Turkey’s trade growth rather than tariffs abolished in the internal market of the customs union.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dušan Leška

Abstract The aim of the study is to analyse the Europeanisation of Slovak political parties in the various stages of the transition and transformation of the political system of Slovakia before and after the entry into the European Union. Methodologically, the paper is based on the concept of Ladrech, who divided five areas of research to suit the study of the impact of the Europeanisation on political parties and their politics. Visible can be changes in political programmes, organisational changes, a formula of party competition, relations between parties and government, relations beyond the national party system (a new look at transnational cooperation between political parties). Our research proved that the Europeanisation has been visible at all stages of development, with varying degrees of intensity and in various forms since the signing of the association agreement with the European Union. Its effect was important already in the stage of the society transition when it helped the return of Slovakia on the path of democratic development. In the two stages of development, Europeanisation created an individual line of cleavage of political parties, affected the rivalry of political parties, and thus a party system model. Unambiguously, it was reflected in political programmes of all parties, and an important role was played by the incorporation of political parties in the European political parties, by their cooperation and coordination of their policies. The election in the European Parliament was an important turning point in completion of programme orientations of political parties.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3374
Author(s):  
Fayçal Bouraoui ◽  
Anna Malagó

Excessive nutrients in rivers, lakes and aquifers are still threatening environmental health in Europe. Stringent regulations have led to progress in water quality, however hotspots with high nitrate concentrations still exist in Europe and understanding the impact of management on the nitrate concentrations and trends in these critical areas is still challenging. In this paper, we use the Exploration and Graphics for RivEr Trends (EGRET) statistical tool to eliminate the impact of flow variation, both short- and long-term, on nitrate concentration. We apply this tool to the south of France where water quality and quantity monitoring data is readily available. We compare the Mann–Kendall non-parametric approach to estimate trend and a methodology commonly used by Member States of the European Union when they report their progress in implementing the Nitrates Directive (referred to MSD approach hereafter). We showed that using the latter approach for the period 2008–2015 and the Mann–Kendall test leads to similar results in percentage of stations exhibiting trends, however with a significant disagreement on the stations exhibiting these trends. We further showed that when using flow-weighted nitrate concentrations instead of the simple mean nitrate concentration, the MSD approach results in a significant underestimation of the stations with an increasing trend. We also demonstrated that most of nitrate concentration time series are characterized by a bell-shaped curve with an increase of concentration from 1990 to mid-2000 and then a significant decreasing trend due to the implementation of management measures from mid-2000 to 2017. Most of the significant decreasing nitrate concentration trends are localized in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones that correspond to areas where strict nutrient management is required, highlighting the efficiency of the policy in place.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii84-iii90
Author(s):  
Sarah Kahnert ◽  
Pete Driezen ◽  
James Balmford ◽  
Christina N Kyriakos ◽  
Sarah Aleyan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tobacco product packaging is a key part of marketing efforts to make tobacco use appealing. In contrast, large, prominent health warnings are intended to inform individuals about the risks of smoking. In the European Union, since May 2016, the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU (TPD2) requires tobacco product packages to carry combined health warnings consisting of a picture, a text warning and information on stop smoking services, covering 65% of the front and back of the packages. Methods Key measures of warning label effectiveness (salience, cognitive reactions and behavioural reaction) before and after implementation of the TPD2, determinants of warning labels’ effectiveness and country differences were examined in a longitudinal sample of 6011 adult smokers from Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Spain (EUREST-PLUS Project) using longitudinal Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models. Results In the pooled sample, the warning labels’ effectiveness increased significantly over time in terms of salience (adjusted OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03–1.35), while cognitive and behavioural reactions did not show clear increases. Generally, among women, more highly educated smokers and less addicted smokers, the effectiveness of warning labels tended to be higher. Conclusion We found an increase in salience, but no clear increases for cognitive and behavioural reactions to the new warning labels as required by the TPD2. While it is likely that our study underestimated the impact of the new pictorial warning labels, it provides evidence that health messages on tobacco packaging are more salient when supported by large pictures.


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