Biological Monitoring: Signals from the Environment (GTZ, 1991): Bioindicators and biomonitors in aquatic ecosystems with special attention to potential applications in developing countries: 4. Water evaluation by remote sensing

Biological Monitoring: Signals from the Environment (GTZ, 1991)

(introduction...)

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Bioindicators and Biological Monitoring

(introduction...)

1. Abstract

2. The situation

3. The problem

4. Definitions

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4.1 Relationship between the ''environment'' and ''indicators''

4.2 Qualitative and quantitative biological monitoring

4.3 Bioindicator types

4.4 ''Levels'' of biological monitoring

5. Examples

5.1 The landscape and biome levels

5.2 The ecosystem and biocenosis levels

5.3 The levels of populations and individuals

5.4 Potential for use of biological monitoring techniques in developing countries

6. Conclusions

References

Concept for a biological monitoring study:

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1. The nature of the problem and background information

1.1 The conflict between mining and agriculture on the Andean plateau

1.2 Scope of the case study concept

1.3 Major criteria for biomonitoring of pollution caused by mining and metallurgical operations

2. Study area: the central Andean plateau

2.1 Location and extension

2.2 Natural features

2.3 Population

2.4 Agriculture

2.5 Mining and industry

2.6 Special aspects of environmental contaminants, their effects on living organisms and ecosystems, and their detection by means of bioindicators on the Andean plateau

3. Study approaches

3.1 Studies of the range of distribution and relative intensities of current environmental contaminatron emanating from a source

3.2 Studies of the regional history of contamination by means of peat profiles

3.3 Studies of the long-term effect of contamination on the agriculturally utilized ecosystems of the Andean plateau

3.4 Time frame of study programs

3.5 Required scientific and technical infrastructure in the field and in the country where studies are being performed

4. Summary

References

Bioindicators and biomonitors in aquatic ecosystems with special attention to potential applications in developing countries

(introduction...)

0. Abstract

1. The context

2. Means of detecting water pollution

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2.1 General review of assessment procedures and definitions

3. Biological assessment

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3.1 Saprobic systems: evaluative techniques involving indicator organisms and related methods

3.2 Evaluation of water quality with the aid of biomonitors

4. Water evaluation by remote sensing

5. Summary: Use of bioindicators and biomonitors in developing countries

References

The Use of Bioindicators for Environmental Monitoring in Tropical and Subtropical Countries

(introduction...)

1. Introduction

2. Definitions and basic principles of biological monitoring

3. Bioindicators in tropical and subtropical countries

(introduction...)

3.1 Pointer species and pointer communities

3.2 Response indicators

3.3 Accumulative indicators

4. Discussion and recommendations

5. Summary

References

Bioindicators for monitoring of atmospheric pollutants in Asian countries

(introduction...)

1. Introduction

2. Applied biological monitoring techniques in Asia, with special consideration given-to the developing countries

2.1 Fumigation and dusting experiments as the basis for selection of biological indicators

2.2 Active monitoring

2.3 Passive monitoring

3. Summary in table form of the surveyed publications

(introduction...)

3.1 India

3.2 China

3.3 Hong Kong

3.4 Other countries

4. Conclusions

References

Chemical Substances and Compounds

Glossary

4. Water evaluation by remote sensing

Certain biological phenomena that are directly or indirectly due to water pollution, and changes in them, can be studied in their entirety without detailed analysis of species and biocoenoses. As is illustrated by documentation of the continuing expansion of the Sahara by means of aerial and satellite photography, this approach can also be used for observation of water contamination in larger systems. Surveillance of marine waters has been carried out in Europe and North America to detect contamination with used oil let off by ships (236). The spread and movement of oil slicks caused by tanker accidents are also observed from the air and documented. "Less harmful" contamination of waters with readily decomposable organic substances or plant nutrients can also be observed and photographed from the air. Analysis of the photographic evidence can then reveal much about the intensity of contamination and, if the observations are repeated, any changes undergone by it. Such analytical methods are suitable for both marine and large inland waters. The best spectral range for detecting differences in vegetation is in the near infrared (700-850 nary). Difficulties are encountered by this method, whether observations are made from the air space, when there is a high atmospheric moisture content, since the mentioned wavelengths are absorbed by water vapor, thus disguising differences between vegetation types and densities. This phenomenon increases in intensity with distance.

The multispectral scanning (MSS) method can be used for surveying both vegetation and water resources. From Landsat satellites, which were originally designated as Earth Resources Technology Satellites (ERTS), infrared photographs can be made in which each raster dot corresponds to an area of approx. 60 x 80 m. Photographs made in various different infrared bands are stored on tape, and can later be separately played back in 64 steps or bands between total reflection and total absorption. One channel is then used to, for example, clearly distinguish a lake from its surroundings and to depict its outline. The other channels can be used for classification of water quality, depending on color composition, ranging from oligotrophic (= low plant nutrient levels and phytoplankton population) to eutrophic (= high nutrient levels and dense phytoplankton population). An example is shown in Figure 17 in (237). Photographic techniques of this kind can also be used for identifying the sources of water pollution (238, 241).

For studying and depicting the morphology of water bodies that are not excessively deep, e.g. estuaries and coastal waters, radar can be used. This also allows water levels with varying degrees of turbidity to be distinguished. Due to its high contrast, this method is also well-suited for surveying catchment areas and mapping the morphology of river basin, borders between saltwater and fresh-water areas in coastal zones, former river tributaries, etc. (239, 241).