Scientific Methods For Water Pollution Investigation

Water pollution is a pressing issue that requires the attention of governments, non-public sectors, and society at large. To address this issue, it is crucial to employ reliable and continuous real-time water quality monitoring systems that can provide actionable data for timely and effective interventions. Various scientific approaches are available to investigate water pollution, including the CPS approach, electronic sensing methods, virtual sensing systems, IoT, and optical techniques. Additionally, molecular fingerprinting techniques, such as HTS, can assess microbial community diversity, while high-resolution mass spectrometry can detect and monitor specific pollutants like pesticides and herbicides. Fluorescent-based and molecular-based monitoring technologies also offer more reliable and specific insights into wastewater processes and their environmental impact.

Physicochemical profiling

The Yamuna River in India has been the subject of a study that used physicochemical profiling to analyse water pollution. The study found that the values of four parameters, namely Temperature, Total Coliform, TDS, and Hardness, were increasing year on year, while the values of pH and DO were not rising heavily.

More reliable and specific systems, such as pollutant compound monitoring by high-end spectroscopic approaches, fluorescent-based methods, and molecular-based monitoring technology, are recommended as complementary tools for monitoring wastewater processes and releases into the environment.

Compound characterisation

Investigating water pollution requires a scientific approach, and there are several methods that can be used to monitor water quality.

One way to investigate water pollution is to use a high-resolution mass spectrometry approach. This method can be used to detect pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and their degradation products in water. This technique is especially useful for monitoring river pollution, as it can identify a wide range of pollutants that may be present in the water.

Another approach is to use molecular fingerprinting techniques, which can assess microbial community diversity. However, this method has limited applications due to the low density of organisms in water bodies. In contrast, HTS (high-throughput sequencing) is a more reliable technique that can identify both abundant and scarce bacteria within a microbial community. This approach is valuable for understanding the impact of environmental pollutants, as it can provide a more comprehensive picture of the microbial community.

Additionally, there are other water quality monitoring methods such as the CPS approach, electronic sensing methods, virtual sensing systems, IoT approaches, and optical techniques. These methods can provide real-time data on water quality, helping authorities make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to mitigate water pollution issues.

One specific example of a water quality monitoring technique is the use of high-end spectroscopic approaches. This method can accurately detect and monitor pollutants in wastewater, providing a reliable and specific tool for investigating water pollution.

Furthermore, when investigating river pollution, the presence of certain organisms can indicate low oxygen levels and pollution. For example, the presence of only blood worms, tubifex worms, or rat-tailed maggots suggests a lack of oxygen and potential pollution. In such cases, it is essential to inform the regional Water Authority and provide details of the investigation, including the possible source of pollution.

Overall, investigating water pollution requires a combination of scientific approaches and monitoring techniques to identify and address the various sources and impacts of pollution on the aquatic environment.

Biomonitoring

In the past, only a handful of systems utilising single-cell organisms have been used as online water biomonitoring tools. However, recent advances in technology have made it possible to develop more effective biological early warning systems. These systems can continuously evaluate the physiological parameters of suitable aquatic species and alert users to the presence of toxicants.

Molecular approaches

Water pollution is a serious issue that requires reliable and continuous real-time water quality monitoring systems.

Another molecular approach is high-resolution mass spectrometry, which can be used for better river pollution monitoring. For example, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) can detect pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and their degradation products in surface and ground waters affected by agricultural activities.

Additionally, molecular-based monitoring technologies are recommended as complementary tools for monitoring wastewater processes and releases into the environment. These technologies provide more reliable and specific data compared to traditional physicochemical measurements, which can be inconsistent due to seasonal changes and less accurate in detecting individual pollutants.

Transcriptomics

For example, transcriptomics has been used to study the critically endangered European eel (*Anguilla anguilla*), whose populations have been declining since the 1980s due to a combination of anthropogenic and climatic factors. By comparing the transcriptomic profiles of eels from high and low pollution environments, researchers can identify differentially expressed genes that may be associated with the health impacts of pollution. This approach has led to the development of a transcriptomic platform for global gene expression profiling in the European eel, helping to detect genes that are responsive to pollution exposure.

In addition to its applications in ecotoxicology, transcriptomics can also be used to benchmark water quality from wastewater to drinking waters. By analysing the transcriptome of human cells exposed to different water sources, researchers can identify biomarkers of exposure and assess the potential health risks associated with contaminated water. This approach provides a sensitive and specific method for monitoring water quality and ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies.

Overall, transcriptomics offers a valuable tool for investigating water pollution by providing a molecular-level understanding of the effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms and human health. By combining transcriptomic data with other scientific approaches, such as water quality monitoring and molecular fingerprinting techniques, researchers can develop comprehensive strategies for assessing and mitigating the impacts of water pollution.

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