Alfred Paul Blaschke

Bacterial diversity along a 2600 km river continuum

Summary The bacterioplankton diversity in large rivers has thus far been under‐sampled despite the importance of streams and rivers as components of continental landscapes. Here, we present a comprehensive dataset detailing the bacterioplankton diversity along the midstream of the Danube River and its tributaries. Using 16S rRNA‐gene amplicon sequencing, our analysis revealed that bacterial richness and evenness gradually declined downriver in both the free‐living and particle‐associated bacterial communities. These shifts were also supported by beta diversity analysis, where the effects of tributaries were negligible in regards to the overall variation. In addition, the river was largely dominated by bacteria that are commonly observed in freshwaters. Dominated by the acI lineage, the freshwater SAR11 (LD12) and the P olynucleobacter group, typical freshwater taxa increased in proportion downriver and were accompanied by a decrease in soil and groundwater‐affiliated bacteria. Based on views of the meta‐community and River Continuum Concept, we interpret the observed taxonomic patterns and accompanying changes in alpha and beta diversity with the intention of laying the foundation for a unified concept for river bacterioplankton diversity.

Effects of fluctuations in river water level on virus removal by bank filtration and aquifer passage — A scenario analysis

Riverbank filtration is an effective process for removing pathogenic viruses from river water. Despite indications that changing hydraulic conditions during floods can affect the efficacy of riverbank filtration to remove viruses, the impact on advection and dispersion of viruses in the riverbank is not well understood. We investigated the effects of fluctuations in river water level on virus transport during riverbank filtration, considering 3-D transient groundwater flow and virus transport. Using constant removal rates from published field experiments with bacteriophages, removal of viruses with distance from the riverbank was simulated for coarse gravel, fine gravel and fine sandy gravel. Our simulations showed that, in comparison with steady flow conditions, fluctuations in river water level cause viruses to be transported further at higher concentrations into the riverbank. A 1-5 m increase in river water levels led to a 2- to 4-log (log10 reduction in concentration relative to the initial concentration in the river) increase in virus concentration and to up to 30% shorter travel times. For particular cases during the receding flood, changing groundwater flow conditions caused that pristine groundwater was carried from further inland and that simulated virus concentrations were more diluted in groundwater. Our study suggests that the adverse effect of water level fluctuations on virus transport should be considered in the simulation of safe setback distances for drinking water supplies.

Occurrence of human-associated Bacteroidetes genetic source tracking markers in raw and treated wastewater of municipal and domestic origin and comparison to standard and alternative indicators of faecal pollution.

This was a detailed investigation of the seasonal occurrence, dynamics, removal and resistance of human-associated genetic Bacteroidetes faecal markers (GeBaM) compared with ISO-based standard faecal indicator bacteria (SFIB), human-specific viral faecal markers and one human-associated Bacteroidetes phage in raw and treated wastewater of municipal and domestic origin. Characteristics of the selected activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from Austria and Germany were studied in detail (WWTPs, n = 13, connected populations from 3 to 49000 individuals), supported by volume-proportional automated 24-h sampling and chemical water quality analysis. GeBaM were consistently detected in high concentrations in raw (median log10 8.6 marker equivalents (ME) 100 ml−1) and biologically treated wastewater samples (median log10 6.2–6.5 ME 100 ml−1), irrespective of plant size, type and time of the season (n = 53–65). GeBaM, Escherichia coli, and enterococci concentrations revealed the same range of statistical variability for raw (multiplicative standard deviations s* = 2.3–3.0) and treated wastewater (s* = 3.7–4.5), with increased variability after treatment. Clostridium perfringens spores revealed the lowest variability for raw wastewater (s* = 1.5). In raw wastewater correlations among microbiological parameters were only detectable between GeBaM, C. perfringens and JC polyomaviruses. Statistical associations amongst microbial parameters increased during wastewater treatment. Two plants with advanced treatment were also investigated, revealing a minimum log10 5.0 (10th percentile) reduction of GeBaM in the activated sludge membrane bioreactor, but no reduction of the genetic markers during UV irradiation (254 nm). This study highlights the potential of human-associated GeBaM to complement wastewater impact monitoring based on the determination of SFIB. In addition, human-specific JC polyomaviruses and adenoviruses seem to be a valuable support if highly specific markers are needed.

A sensitive and robust method for automated on-line monitoring of enzymatic activities in water and water resources.

The realisation of a novel concept for automated on-line monitoring of enzymatic activities in water was successfully demonstrated by long-term field testing at two remote Austrian ground water resources. The β-D-glucuronidase (GLUC) activity was selected as a representative enzymatic model parameter for the on-line determination. But the device can be adapted for any enzymatic reaction with diagnostic relevance for microbial water quality monitoring, as demonstrated for the β-D-galactosidase activity. Automated filtration of volumes up to 5 litres supports sensitive quantification of enzymatic activities. Internet-based data transfer, using internal control parameters for verification and a dynamic determination of the limit of quantification, enabled robust enzymatic on-line monitoring during a 2-year period. A proportion of 5,313 out of 5,506 GLUC activity measurements (96.5%) could be positively verified. Hydrological (discharge, gauge, turbidity, temperature, pH, electric conductivity, spectral absorbance coefficient at 254 nm) as well as microbiological parameters (Escherichia coli, coliforms) were concurrently determined to characterise the investigated ground water resources. The enzymatic on-line measurements closely reflected the different hydrological conditions and contamination patterns of the test sites. Contrary to expectations, GLUC did not qualify as a proxy-parameter for the occurrence of cultivation-based E. coli contamination and warrants further detailed investigations on its indication capacity as a rapid means for microbial faecal pollution detection in such aquatic habitats. Microbial on-line monitoring is likely to become more important in the future, complementing existing surveillance strategies for water safety management. Further perspectives on the application of such analytical on-line technologies, such as their connection with event-triggered sampling and standardised diagnostics, are discussed.

QMRAcatch: Microbial Quality Simulation of Water Resources including Infection Risk Assessment.

Given the complex hydrologic dynamics of water catchments and conflicts between nature protection and public water supply, models may help to understand catchment dynamics and evaluate contamination scenarios and may support best environmental practices and water safety management. A catchment model can be an educative tool for investigating water quality and for communication between parties with different interests in the catchment. This article introduces an interactive computational tool, QMRAcatch, that was developed to simulate concentrations in water resources of , a human-associated microbial source tracking (MST) marker, enterovirus, norovirus, , and as target microorganisms and viruses (TMVs). The model domain encompasses a main river with wastewater discharges and a floodplain with a floodplain river. Diffuse agricultural sources of TMVs that discharge into the main river are not included in this stage of development. The floodplain river is fed by the main river and may flood the plain. Discharged TMVs in the river are subject to dilution and temperature-dependent degradation. River travel times are calculated using the Manning-Gauckler-Strickler formula. Fecal deposits from wildlife, birds, and visitors in the floodplain are resuspended in flood water, runoff to the floodplain river, or infiltrate groundwater. Fecal indicator and MST marker data facilitate calibration. Infection risks from exposure to the pathogenic TMVs by swimming or drinking water consumption are calculated, and the required pathogen removal by treatment to meet a health-based quality target can be determined. Applicability of QMRAcatch is demonstrated by calibrating the tool for a study site at the River Danube near Vienna, Austria, using field TMV data, including a sensitivity analysis and evaluation of the model outcomes.

The Water Framework Directive: Can more information be extracted from groundwater data? A case study of Seewinkel, Burgenland, eastern Austria

Water protection is one of the most important goals in environmental protection. The Clean Water Act in the USA and the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Europe are the legal frameworks to facilitate the achievement of this goal. The question is raised of whether more information can be extracted from WFD-related groundwater data. To answer it, a methodology has been developed that is easy to use and could be implemented into official practice. A case study is presented in which the groundwater data of a sodic area in Austria (Seewinkel) is assessed. Eighteen parameters in groundwater sampled from 23 wells (1991–2011) were analyzed. With basic statistics, trend-, cluster-, Wilks’ λ and spatial sampling density analysis, local phosphorus and boron phenomena were described, along with the determining role of sulphate, groundwater flow, and the oxygen gradient in the area. As a final step, the spatial sampling density was determined. Regarding the current set of parameters, all the sampling sites are necessary and only in the case of certain parameters (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, pH) could one sampling site be abandoned. The methodology applied brings a new perspective to exploring groundwater data collected according to the requirements of the WFD.ZusammenfassungGewässerschutz ist eines der wichtigsten Ziele im Umweltschutz. Der “Clean Water Act” in den USA und die Wasserrahmenrichtlinie (WRRL) in Europa sind die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen, um dieses Ziel zu erreichen. Dabei stellt sich die Frage, ob weitere verbesserte Informationen aus den derzeitigen Grundwasserqualitätsmessungen, die im Rahmen der WRRL erhoben werden, gewonnen werden können. Um diese Frage zu beantworten, wurde eine Methodik entwickelt, die einfach zu bedienen ist und leicht in die offizielle Auswertungspraxis umgesetzt werden könnte. In der vorgestellten Fallstudie wurden die Daten eines Grundwasserkörpers in Österreich (Seewinkel) mit der entwickelten Methode ausgewertet. Dazu wurden achtzehn Parameter aus 23 Grundwassergütemessstellen für die Jahre 1991–2011 analysiert. Dazu wurden grundlegende statistische Methoden wie Trend -, Cluster -, Wilks’ λ Analyse und die Auswertung der räumlichen Verteilung der Messdichte verwendet. Unter Berücksichtigung mit der bestimmenden Rolle von Sulfat, der Grundwasserfließrichtung und -zeit und dem Sauerstoffgradienten im Untersuchungsgebiet Seewinkel konnten lokale Phosphor und Bor Phänomene beschrieben werden. Im letzten Schritt wurde die räumliche Verteilung der Messdichte bestimmt. Die Datenanalysen zeigten, dass alle, bis auf eine Ausnahme, vorhandenen Messstellen und deren Parameter (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, pH-Wert) für Auswertungen verwendet werden konnten. Die angewandte Methodik bringt bei der Analyse der erhobenen Grundwasserqualitätsdaten, welche nach den Anforderungen der WRRL erhoben werden, eine neue Perspektive.RésuméLa protection de l’eau est l’un des objectifs les plus importants de la protection environnementale. Le Clean Water Act aux Etats Unis et la Directive-Cadre sur l’Eau (DCE) en Europe sont les cadres légaux pour favoriser l’atteinte de cet objectif. La question est posée de savoir si l’on peut tirer d’avantages d’informations des données sur l’eau souterraine relatives à la DCE. Pour répondre à celle-ci, on a développé une méthodologie simple, pouvant être mise en pratique de façon officielle. Le cas présenté considère les données sur l’eau souterraine d’un district sodique d’Autriche (Seewinkel). Dix huit paramètres de l’eau de 23 puits échantillonnés (1991–2011) ont été analysés. Avec les paramètres statistiques de base, tendance, classes, paramètre λ de Wilks et analyse de la densité spatiale d’échantillonnage, les phénomènes locaux liés au phosphore et au bore ont été décrits, ainsi que le rôle déterminant du sulfate, le flux d’écoulement souterrain et le gradient de l’oxygène dans la zone. En phase finale, la densité d’échantillonnage spatial a été déterminée. Etant donné le jeu de paramètres considérés, tous les sites échantillonnés sont nécessaires, les sites où certains paramètres (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, pH) ne pouvaient être mesurés étant abandonnés. La méthodologie appliquée ouvre une nouvelle perspective dans l’exploitation des données sur l’eau souterraine prélevées selon les dispositions de la Directive-Cadre sur l’Eau.ResumenLa protección del agua es uno de los objetivos más importantes en la protección ambiental. La Ley de Aguas Limpias en EEUU y la Directiva Marco del Agua (WFD) en Europa son los marcos legales para facilitar el logro de este objetivo. La cuestión se plantea si se puede extraer mayor información de los datos de agua subterránea relacionados con WDF. Para responder se desarrolla una una metodología que es fácil de usar y podría ser implementada dentro de la práctica oficial. Se presenta un caso de estudio en el cual se evaluaron los datos de agua subterránea de un área sódica en Austria (Seewinkel). Se analizaron dieciocho parámetros en el agua subterránea muestreada de 23 pozos (1991–2011). Con estadísticas básicas, tendencias, clusters, Wilks’ λ y análisis de densidad espacial de muestreo se describieron los fenómenos locales de fósforo y de boro fueron descriptos, conjuntamente con el rol determinante del sulfato, del flujo de agua subterránea, y del gradiente de oxígeno en el área. Como una etapa final, se determinó la densidad de muestreo espacial. En relación con el conjunto actual de parámetros, todos los sitios de muestreos son necesarios y solamente en el caso de ciertos parámetros (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, pH) podría un sitio de muestreo ser abandonado. La metodología aplicada otorga una nueva perspectiva para explorar los datos de agua subterránea recolectados de acuerdo a los requerimientos de la WFD.الملخصحماية المياه هي واحدة من اهم الاهداف في الحماية البيئية. قانون المياه النظيفة في الولايات المتحدة الامريكية والاطار التوجيهي للمياه(WFD) في اوروبا هما من الاطر القانونية لتسهيل تحقيق هذا الهدف . اثيرت مسألة ما اذا كان مزيد من المعلومات يمكن استخصلاصها من الاطار التوجيهي للمياه (WFD) – المتعلقة ببيانات المياه الجوفية. للاجابة على ذلك ، تم تطوير منهجية سهلة الاستخدام ويمكن تنفيذها في الممارسة الرسمية . قدمت دراسة الحالة التي يتم فيها تقييم بيانات المياه الجوفية من منطقة سوديك في النمسا .(Seewinkel) حللت ثمانية عشر معيارا في المياه الجوفية قد تم اخذ عيناتها من ٢٣ بئرا (١٩٩١-٢٠١١).مع احصائية بسيطة، الاتجاه ،الكتلة ، ويلكس λ ومكانية تحليل كثافة اخذ العينات . ظاهرة الفوسفور والبورون المحلية قد وصفت جنبا الى جنب مع دور تحديد الكبريتات ، تدفق المياه الجوفية، والتدرج الاوكسجين في المنطقة . كخطوة نهائية ، تم تحديد كثافة اخذ العينات المكانية . وفيما يتعلق المجموعة الحالية من المعاير ، جميع مواقع اخذ العينات ضرورية و فقط في حالة معايير معينة (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3-, pH) يمكن ان يتم التخلي عن موقع واحد.المنهجية المطبقة يجلب منظورا جديدا لاستكشاف بيانات المياه الجوفية التي تم جمعها وفق لمتطلبات الاطار التوجيهي للمياه (WFD) .摘要水保护是环境保护中最重要的目标之一。美国的清洁水法及欧洲水框架指令是促进完成这个目标的法律体系。是否能从水框架指令有关的地下水数据中提取更多信息的问题被提了出来。为回答这个问题,开发了便于使用、能够正式实施的方法。展示了一个研究实例,在这个实例中,评价了奥地利(Seewinkel)含钠区的地下水数据。分析了23口井(1991–2011年)中地下水样品的十八个参数。描述了基本统计数字以及趋势的、簇群的Wilks’ λ、空间采样密度分析、局部磷和硼现象,并确定了该区的硫酸盐的作用、地下水流和氧梯度。作为最后一步,确定了空间采样密度。关于目前参数(Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, pH)的设置,所有的采样地点都很必要,只有在某些参数情况下,一个采样点可以放弃。所应用的方法给探索按照水框架指令要求收集到的地下水数据带来了新的前景。SamenvattingWater bescherming is een van de belangrijkste doelen in bescherming van het milieu. De Clean Water Act in de Verenigde Staten en de Water Framework Directive in Europa zijn de wettelijke kaders waarin deze doelen worden bereikt. De vraag is opgekomen of meer informatie verkregen kan worden van WFD gerelateerde grondwater data. Om deze vraag te beantwoorden is een methode ontwikkeld die makkelijk te gebruiken is en geimplementeerd kan worden door officiele instanties. Een case study wordt gepresenteerd waarin grondwater data van een alkali regio in Oostenrijk (Seewinkel) wordt beoordeeld. Achttien parameters in grondwater bemonsterd in 23 verschillende peilbuizen (1991–2011) zijn geanalyseerd. Met behulp van basis statistiek, trend-, cluster-, Wilks’ λ en ruimtelijke bemonster dichtheid analyses, werden lokale fosfor en boor fenomenen beschreven, net als de bepalende rol van sulfaat, grondwater stroming, en de zuurstof gradient in het onderzoeksgebied. Als laatste stap werd de ruimtelijke bemonster dichtheid bepaald. Met betrekking tot de huidige set aan parameters, waren alle bemonsteringsplekken noodzakelijk. Slechts bij sommige parameters (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3-, pH) kon één bemonsteringsplek worden opgegeven. De gebruikte methodologie geeft een nieuw perspectief aan het onderzoeken van grondwater data die verzameld zijn volgens de eisen van de WFD. KivonatA felszíni és felszín alatti vizeink jó állapotban való megőrzése a környezetvédelem egyik legfontosabb célja. Az Amerikai Egyesült Államokban a “Clean Water Act”, Európában pedig a Víz Keretirányelv biztosítja a jogi keretet ezen célok eléréséhez. Felmerül azonban a kérdés, hogy hordoznak-e számottevő többletinformációt a felszín alatti víz monitoring adatok a Víz Keretirányelv által előírt vizsgálatok eredményein túl. A kérdés megválaszolására egy olyan módszertant dolgoztunk ki, amely könnyen alkalmazható a környezetvédelmi hivatali gyakorlatban is. Esettanulmányként, egy ausztriai szikes terület (Seewinkel) 23 felszín alatti víz monitoring kútjának 18 paraméterének idősorait dolgoztuk fel az 1991–2011-es időintervallum vonatkozásában alap- és Wilks’ λ statisztikák, valamint trend-, klaszter-, és variogram analízis felhasználásával. Az eredmények alapján a terület bizonyos részein lokális foszfor, bór és szulfát anomália, illetve az egész területre vonatkozó oxigén gradiens figyelhető meg. Végezetül meghatároztuk a szükséges térbeli mintavételezési gyakoriságot. Az összes mért paramétert figyelembe véve minden mintavételi pontra szükség van a területen, csak néhány paraméter vonatkozásában (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, pH) lehetne egy mintavételi pontot megszüntetni. Az alkalmazott módszertan egy újszerű megk

A novel integrated modelling framework to assess the impacts of climate and socio-economic drivers on land use and water quality

Changes in climatic conditions will directly affect the quality and quantity of water resources. Further on, they will affect them indirectly through adaptation in land use which ultimately influences diffuse nutrient emissions to rivers and therefore potentially the compliance with good ecological status according to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). We present an integrated impact modelling framework (IIMF) to track and quantify direct and indirect pollution impacts along policy-economy-climate-agriculture-water interfaces. The IIMF is applied to assess impacts of climatic and socio-economic drivers on agricultural land use (crop choices, farming practices and fertilization levels), river flows and the risk for exceedance of environmental quality standards for determination of the ecological water quality status in Austria. This article also presents model interfaces as well as validation procedures and results of single models and the IIMF with respect to observed state variables such as land use, river flow and nutrient river loads. The performance of the IIMF for calculations of river nutrient loads (120 monitoring stations) shows a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency of 0.73 for nitrogen and 0.51 for phosphorus. Most problematic is the modelling of phosphorus loads in the alpine catchments dominated by forests and mountainous landscape. About 63% of these catchments show a deviation between modelled and observed loads of 30% and more. In catchments dominated by agricultural production, the performance of the IIMF is much better as only 30% of cropland and 23% of permanent grassland dominated areas have a deviation of >30% between modelled and observed loads. As risk of exceedance of environmental quality standards is mainly recognized in catchments dominated by cropland, the IIMF is well suited for assessing the nutrient component of the WFD ecological status.

Spatial Optimization of Monitoring Networkson the Examples of a River, a Lake-Wetland System and a Sub-Surface Water System

Monitoring systems in general have to meet numerous requirements, the most important of which are representativeness and cost efficiency. The aim of the study, therefore, was to present the spatial optimization of the monitoring networks of a river (the Danube), a wetland-lake system (Kis-Balaton & Lake Balaton), and a sub-surface water system in the watershed of Lake Neusiedl/Fertő over a period of approximately two decades using a novel method, Combined cluster and discriminant analysis (CCDA). In the case of the river the results show that the monitoring network yields redundant information on certain sections, so that of 12 sampling sites 3 can be discarded. It was not, however, enough to consider just the tributaries when it comes to optimization. In the case of the wetland (Kis-Balaton) one pair of sampling sites out of 12, while in the case of Lake Balaton 5 out of 10 can be abandoned. For the sub-surface water system, however, all the 50 sites contained exclusive information; hence, all of these were shown to be necessary. In addition, neighboring sampling sites were compared pairwise using CCDA and the corresponding results were visualized in diagrams or so called “difference maps” indicating the location of the biggest differences. This approach also indicates the researcher where to place new sampling sites should the possibility arise. The discussed methodology proved to be highly useful in the optimization of the monitoring networks of the presented water systems.

QMRAcatch: Human-Associated Fecal Pollution and Infection Risk Modeling for a River/Floodplain Environment

Protection of drinking water resources requires addressing all relevant fecal pollution sources in the considered catchment. A freely available simulation tool, QMRAcatch, was recently developed to simulate concentrations of fecal indicators, a genetic microbial source tracking (MST) marker, and intestinal pathogens in water resources and to conduct a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). At the same time, QMRAcatch was successfully applied to a region of the Danube River in Austria, focusing on municipal wastewater emissions. Herein, we describe extension of its application to a Danube River floodplain, keeping the focus on fecal sources of human origin. QMRAcatch was calibrated to match measured human-associated MST marker concentrations for a dry year and a wet year. Appropriate performance characteristics of the human-associated MST assay were proven by simulating correct and false-positive marker concentrations, as determined in human and animal feces. With the calibrated tool, simulated and measured enterovirus concentrations in the rivers were compared. Finally, the calibrated tool allowed demonstrating that 4.5 log enterovirus and 6.6 log norovirus reductions must be achieved to convert current surface water to safe drinking water that complies with a health-based target of 10 infections person yr. Simulations of the low- and high-pollution scenarios showed that the required viral reductions ranged from 0 to 8 log. This study has implications for water managers with interests in assessing robust catchment protection measures and water treatment criteria by considering the fate of fecal pollution from its sources to the point of abstraction.

Evaluating the success of sewer reconstruction by using carbamazepine as anthropogenic marker in groundwater

The antiepileptic drug carbamazepine is a useful anthropogenic marker in groundwater to detect and quantify sewer exfiltration. In 2003 its application on a city wide scale enabled the identification of a trunk sewer in extremely bad structural status with an exfiltration (of wastewater into groundwater) rate in the adjacent area of around 5% compared to an average of approximately 1% in other parts of the city. After a reconstruction of the trunk sewer investigations were carried out again in 2008. Due to the reconstruction a decrease in exfiltration to roughly 3% could be achieved, which equals a reduction of exfiltration by about 45%. Thus carbamazepine emerged as suitable anthropogenic marker to assess sewer exfiltration and to evaluate the success of reconstruction measurements on a regional scale.