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International audience ; In the past 25 years, numerous biomarkers have been developed with the objective to apply them for environmental biomonitoring. Recently, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union specified monitoring programs required to assess the achievement of good chemical and ecological status for all water bodies by 2015. This article reviews the potential of biomarkers for ecotoxicological status assessment in WFD monitoring programs. For this purpose, we define the roles and the functions of biomarkers as biomonitoring tools. We also highlight the importance of defining a clear reference system to be confident that biomarkers represent a quantitative assessment of the effects of contaminants.

International audience ; In the past 25 years, numerous biomarkers have been developed with the objective to apply them for environmental biomonitoring. Recently, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union specified monitoring programs required to assess the achievement of good chemical and ecological status for all water bodies by 2015. This article reviews the potential of biomarkers for ecotoxicological status assessment in WFD monitoring programs. For this purpose, we define the roles and the functions of biomarkers as biomonitoring tools. We also highlight the importance of defining a clear reference system to be confident that biomarkers represent a quantitative assessment of the effects of contaminants.

AbstractEnvironmental management systems are being implemented in many sectors of industry in order to assist organizations to (a) comply with legal requirements minimizing impacts on the environment, (b) reduce waste, and (c) gain an advantage in the market place. This paper provides guidance on the elements which should be incorporated into an environmental management system for finfish aquaculture operations in the UK.

Abstract Central Asia is one of the regions with the highest probability of conflicts over water. Kazakhstan is the main Central Asian economic power and therefore it is important to understand how the country's water management policy is influencing water availability in the other Central Asian states. Already, the Central Asian economies are developing under increasing water deficiency, resulting in developmental problems. The main reasons for this are increasing political tensions and worsening ecological and socio-economic conditions. Kazakhstan was the first country in Central Asia to develop the pre-requisites for a transition towards integrated water resources management (IWRM). Therefore, Kazakhstan has potential to lead the development of transboundary water integration between all Central Asian states. A scenario for successful regional cooperation on water management in Central Asia involves establishing legal mechanisms for water management following international water law, assistance by international agencies and donors, and integrated social, economic and environmental methodology.

[Michele C. Hlavsa . et al. ; Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC . et al.]; and, Surveillance for waterborne disease outbreaks associated with drinking water-- United States, 2007-2008 / [Joan M. Brunkard . et al. ; Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC . et al.]. ; Cover title. ; "September 23, 2011." ; Previous report issued under title: Surveillance for waterborne disease and outbreaks associated with recreational water use and other aquatic facility-associated health events-- United States, 2005-2006 ; and, Surveillance for waterborne disease and outbreaks associated with drinking water and water not intended for drinking-- United States, 2005-2006 / Jonathan S. Yoder . [et al.]. ; "U.S. Government Printing Office: 2011-723-011/XXXXX, Region IV"--P. [4] of cover. ; Also available via the World Wide Web as an Acrobat .pdf file (2.76 MB, 80 p.). ; Includes bibliographical references.

We examine whether there is an environmental version of the Kantian peace; that is, whether democracies that trade and are bound by international treaties are less likely to harm each other environmentally. Specifically, we study five factors that are likely to help in reducing beggar-thy-neighbour behaviour in terms of transboundary pollution: democracy, supranational institutions, trade relations, stringency of domestic environmental policy and international environmental commitment. The empirical focus is on upstream—downstream water pollution in Europe in 1970—2003. The observed effects of the five variables differ considerably across forms of pollution and definitions of beggar-thy-neighbour behaviour. Some of our explanatory variables contribute to reducing beggar-thy-neighbour behaviour. Hence there is some empirical support for the environmental Kantian argument. Nonetheless, state behaviour in this area remains characterized by free-riding incentives; the forces of democracy, trade and national and international regulation and institutions do not easily produce decent international behaviour.

Water Pollution XI contains papers presented at the latest (Eleventh) Conference and includes the following topics: Water quality; Groundwater and aquifer issues; Environmental monitoring and control; Remediation; Pollution prevention; Lakes and rivers; Agricultural contamination; Wastewater treatment and management; Offshore pollution and oil spills; Emerging technologies; Biosensors; Health risk studies; Nano-particles; Socio-economic costs; Biosystems; Education and training.

The article establishes a conceptual framework of the Ocaña region city, taking as axis the environmental services of the water resource; in this sense, a reflection is made around the city region and environmental services, and subsequently a cartographic delimitation is made of what could be a proposal of the Ocaña Region city based on water resources through the basins where it is supplied. As a main result, a delimitation was designed on how Ocaña should be understood from the water supply and responsibilities regarding its use with the other municipalities, due to this, the Algodonal River is taken as the main water source of the city and as references, the municipalities with which the city is related, with a view to contributing to a proposal of the Ocaña region city. It was possible to identify the relations of the city of Ocaña with the water environmental services of the region, highlighting on the one hand its relationship with other municipalities, strategic ecosystems and water basins. Cartographically delimited a proposal of city region starting from the ordering of the basin of the cotton river, dividing it into high, medium and low basin. It is concluded that the city of Ocaña has been built from its environmental relations with the region and that this leads to the need to plan a new city model, based on the recognition and responsibility of this within a proposal of the city region.

AbstractIn England and Wales, recent droughts and the future threat posed by climate change has intensified the debate on the suitability of either resource‐development or demand‐management approaches to ensure that supply and demand are kept in balance. The need to reduce leakage from water distribution systems has gained almost universal acceptance, and discussion now centres on what should be included in the cost‐benefit analysis in determining that economic level of leakage.This paper (a) reviews the role of the Environment Agency in leakage control and the current thinking on the economic level of leakage, (b) argues the case for the inclusion of environmental costs and benefits, and (c) explores some of the reasons why water companies appear to be reluctant to pursue the goal of further leakage reduction.

Environmental disruption in the 20th century is described, focusing on freshwater & energy, two components relevant to security concerns. Irrigation, the main usage of freshwater, decreased in the 20th century while industrial use of water increased. The increase in energy use in the 20th century has been the primary cause of tumultuous environmental changes. The propositions that environmental change may create security problems or that resource competition may provoke war are analyzed. A third proposition -- the lack of security affects environmental change -- is advanced. Environmental changes are likely to play a greater role in security in the future because environmental resources like water & energy are scarcer than in the past, provoking more competition & population migration. 3 Tables. M. Pflum

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide an important resource to good governance involving complex issues of environmental security. We explore that role by looking at recent campaigns concerned with security at the coal–water nexus in India and China, undertaken by regional arms of Greenpeace, an important international NGO. We find that, at the national level, the impact of NGOs on environmental governance depends deeply on an organization's relation to government. In China, Greenpeace East Asia serves the government's interest by providing an external source of information on activities and perceptions at the provincial level. An NGO such as Greenpeace East Asia is perceived as valuable and is tolerated as long as it acts in accordance with the unwritten rules of engagement with the government, as practiced by domestic NGOs. Greenpeace India, by comparison, is one among many NGOs, tolerated as a matter of democratic principle, but suspect because of its international connections. Greenpeace India has yet to have a meaningful impact on governance at the coal–water nexus. Greenpeace East Asia, on the other hand, appears to have found a role that can impact environmental governance, but is dependent upon operating within bounds that are set by the Chinese model of government.