This report contains an overview of the spatial distribution of paddle boat registrations in Ohio between January 2016 and March 2019. Its purpose is to provide empirical evidence that can support decision making by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in its efforts to improve education and recreational opportunities at Ohio's scenic rivers. The original data used in the analysis was provided by the ODNR Scenic Rivers Program.

Being a complex environment subject to coastal and marine processes, little is understood concerning the evolution of northern Beibu Gulf and the human impacts on its ecosystem. Since various environmental information can be stored in the deposited sediments, it is considered to be useful tracers for natural and anthropogenic processes. The aim of this study is to determine a detailed reconstruction of the sedimentation rates in the past decades by applying the 210Pb dating method. To achieve this, 3 sediment cores located in different regions along the coast of northern Beibu Gulf were collected. 226Ra and 210Pb were measured using gamma spectrometry and age determination was analyzed by the CRS model. Physical parameters (water content, grain size and bulk density) and TOC were determined for each core. The results showed that the average sediment mass accumulation rates (dry mass) calculated from 210Pb profiles was 0.043-0.008 g cm-2 yr-1in core of Sanniang Bay and 0.028?0.003 g cm-2 yr-1 in core of Lianzhou Bay. Sediment mass accumulation rates decreased with increasing water depth. The sedimentation rate was 0.54 cm/y in Sanniang Bay and 0.38 cm/y in Lianzhou Bay. Water content and grain size did not change much with age variation, while TOC showed a general decline during past decades, probably due to the terrigenous input. This study provides a chronological framework for comparing the depositional histories and inventories of various pollutants that have been measured in the same sediment cores. This information will be useful for resolving scientific environmental quality and coastal management in northern Beibu Gulf.

We used a combination of daily aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) and ground measurements using a Dylos air quality monitor (a laser particle counter) to estimate particle matter air quality over a number of locations throughout the country of Qatar, in the Middle East. An empirical relationship between AOD and PM air quality was obtained from these datasets (linear correlation coefficient of 0.78) and was used to evaluate annual and seasonal trends in air pollution in Qatar since 2012.

Soil organic matter (SOM), the accumulated, decaying debris of biota living on or in the soil, represents the largest of the active terrestrial C pools, holding about 1500 Pg C to a depth of 1 m. In aquatic ecosystems, SOM is a storehouse of inorganic nutrients which, after mineralization, are released to the stream and used by planktonic and benthic microorganisms. Here we present the results of a study designed to elucidate the controls on the spatial and temporal variations of the SOM distribution along the Clear Fork River, which drains a mixed urban-agricultural landscape in north-central Ohio. Fluvial bed sediments were sampled monthly (March to October) in eight stations along the river. Organic matter (OM) and carbonate content were determined by loss-on-ignition (LOI). Sediments from all stations were analyzed in triplicate to account for intrasample variation and to provide a measure of precision. Textural analysis was also performed in all samples. Results show OM content varying between 14 and 109 g kg-1, with highest values observed during spring, and lower values during summer. Sediments from stations where the stream flow is high generally presented lower OM concentration. In addition, stations located within urban landscapes presented the highest OM concentrations.

The purpose of this article is to review the current state of knowledge of coastal nutrification in Brazil, with special reference to the coral reef areas of the Bahia State. It also includes a comparison of the available dataset for Brazil with other coral reef areas worldwide, and a discussion of the major research findings regarding nutrification processes and effects, and its application to the Brazilian reefs. The final section also provides some recommendations for the management of coastal resources in Brazil.

Nutrient pollution is considered one of America’s most widespread, costly, and challenging environmental problems. Artificial Floating Islands (AFIs), a phytoremediation technology, has been proven as an efficient, environmental-friendly, and cost-effective strategy to address this issue. However, most previous studies of AFIs were done in controlled conditions at mesocosm experiments. In addition, limited information exists on the use of AFIs as a nutrient remediation/prevention strategy in Ohio. This study aims to fill these gaps. We are currently undertaking a combination of mesocosm and natural experiment to assess the nutrient-removal efficiency of AFI systems in the Milliron Research Wetlands (at the Ohio State University Mansfield campus), and establish a performance baseline for two native aquatic plant species, Carex comosa and Eleocharis palustris. In this study, 18 AFIs, 6 planted with Carex comosa, 6 with Eleocharis palustris, and 6 have no plants, were deployed in a section of the Milliron Research Wetlands. Physical and chemical parameters are being monitored bi-weekly. The AFI systems are constructed using PVC pipes to provide buoyance, EVA foam mats as platforms, and nylon nets to cover the system. Each AFI unit has nine luffa sponges, inserted in the foam mat, to hold aquatic plant seedlings, keep the moisture of roots, and enlarge the surface area for bacterial biofilm development. Since nutrient removal from the wetland is affected by numerous natural processes, a mesocosm experiment was set up to assist the quantification of nutrient removal due specifically to the presence of AFIs. The mesocosm experiment mimics the natural experiment at the wetland and contain 12 equal-size tanks containing water pumped directly from the wetland, 3 of which have AFIs with Carex comosa, 3 have Eleocharis palustris, 3 have no plants, and 3 contain just water from the wetland. Physical and chemical measurements (as well as sample collections) are performed weekly in the tanks. Water in the tanks are exchanged bi-weekly. Preliminary results show that the AFI systems quickly developed large root systems and extensive bacterial biofilms. The effects of the associations between plant biomass, biofilm development, and changing chemical and physical conditions will be investigated as the experiment progresses.

Over the last century, runoff from farms and cities, along with land cover and land use changes, have drastically altered the mass balance of nutrients in aquatic systems, affecting both their ecological functioning and the living communities they support. Here we present the results of a multi-year, long-term study designed to assess the control of land-use and hydrology on nutrient fate and transport within a mixed land-use watershed in north-central Ohio. A total of 64 streams (with a mix of urban, cropland, pasture, and forest catchments) have been sampled periodically since the summer of 2008. Hydrological conditions during the study period exhibited marked seasonality, with usually dry winter seasons (average ppt: 23.5±7.4 cm) and wet spring seasons (average ppt: 34.5±8.1 cm). Runoff generation in response to precipitation events is faster in streams draining developed catchments and slowest in forested streams, where runoff is generated only by events > 10 mm/day. Hydrologic connectivity in the watershed appear to be limited, since only about 25% of precipitation inputs were translated into quick flow. There is a significant, positive correlation between runoff and nutrient concentrations (R2 values are: 0.40 for streams draining urban landscapes, 0.34 for forested streams, 0.30 for cropland, and 0.28 for pastureland). We also observed significant inter-annual and seasonal variations on both DIN (p = 0.02) and PO4 concentrations (p < 0.01). Compared to dry years, nutrient fluxes during wetter years are, on average, 16% higher in urban catchments and 47% higher in forested catchments, but 32% lower in pasture-dominated catchments. Baseflow is responsible for only between 20-30% of the annual nutrient export from the watershed.

This mass balance study was intended to provide up-to-date information about the water quality of the headwater streams draining to the Mohican and Walhonding rivers. This data will be used to define target locations for conservation practices, including agricultural and stormwater management practices. During the study, 124 sites were sampled twice in 2021: during spring high-flow conditions (May) and fall low-flow conditions (August).