Run-off modelling of pervious and impervious areas using couple SWAT and a novel machine learning model in cross-rivers state Nigeria.

Using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), runoff in pervious and impervious urban areas was simulated in this study. In the meantime, as a novel application of machine learning, the emotional artificial neural network (EANN) model was employed to enhance the SWAT obtained for this study. As a result of the EANN model's capabilities in rainfall-runoff phenomena, the SWAT-EANN couple model has been used to assess urban flooding. The pervious, impervious, and water body areas of the study area were classified and mapped to estimate the cover change over three epochs. Land use map, precipitation data, temperature (minimum and maximum) data, wind speed, relative humidity, soil map, solar radiation, and digital elevation model were used as inputs for modelling rainfall-runoff of the study area in the ArcGIS environment. The accuracy assessment of this study was excellent (root-mean-square error 1 mm of precipitation). It also revealed that (a) a land use map illustrating changes in impervious, pervious surface, and water body for 1998, 2008, and 2018; (b) runoff modelling using a historical pattern of rainfall-runoff changes (1998-2018); and (c) descriptive statistical analysis of the runoff results of the research. This research will aid in urban planning, administration, and development. Specifically, it will prevent flooding and environmental problems.

An Analysis of Hydromorphological Index for Rivers (HIR) Model Components, Based on a Hydromorphological Assessment of Watercourses in the Central European Plain.

Assessing the hydromorphological conditions of watercourses is a requirement of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and national river status monitors (e.g., in Poland,the State Environmental Monitoring, and Water Monitoring coordinated by Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection). This paper evaluates the hydromorphological status of 10 watercourses (30 measurement sections) in Poland based on the multimetric Hydromorphological Index for Rivers (HIR). A new approach to the delineation of the river valley (small watercourses) is proposed. An analysis of the influence of river valley management on the value of HIR and its components was carried out using statistical methods (basic statistics, Mann-Whitney U Test and Ward's cluster analysis). In addition, the relationship between the components of the HDS (Hydromorphological Diversity Score) and HMS (Hydromorphological Modification Score) was analyzed (Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient). HIR values for the watercourse sections ranged from 0.553 to 0.825. HDS values ranged from 27.5 to 75.5 and HMS from 2.0 to 17.5. The results of the basic statistical analyses showed slight differences between the two river valley delineation methods. The Mann-Whitney U Test showed a significant difference in the test significance level of the HDS, HMS and HIR for the river valley delineation methods. Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that most of the HDS and HMS parameters components had a low degree of correlation. The juxtaposition of the two methods for delineating a river valley and its influence on the HIR allows for a better understanding of the interdependence between its parameters.

Habitat Conditions of the Microbiota in Ballast Water of Ships Entering the Oder Estuary.

Ballast water is a vector for the transfer of microorganisms between ecospheres that can subsequently have a negative impact on native species of aquatic fauna. In this study, we determined the microbiota and selected physicochemical properties of ballast water from long- and short-range ships entering a southern Baltic port within a large estuary in autumn and winter (Police, Poland). Microbiological tests of the ballast water samples were carried out according to ISO 6887-1, and physicochemical tests were performed according to standard methods. Low amounts of oxygen (1.6-3.10 mg/dm3 in autumn and 0.60-2.10 mg/dm3 in winter) were recorded in all ship ballast water samples, with pH (above 7.90) and PSU (above 1.20) were higher than in the port waters. Yeast, mold, Pseudomonas bacteria (including Pseudomonas fluorescens), and halophilic bacteria as well as lipolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic bacteria were found in the ballast water samples. Heterotrophic bacteria and mold fungi (log. 2.45-3.26) dominated in the autumn period, while Pseudomonas bacteria (log. 3.32-4.40) dominated in the winter period. In addition, the ballast water samples taken during the autumn period were characterized by a statistically significantly higher (p < 0.1) abundance of microorganisms (log 1.97-2.55) than in the winter period (log 1.39-2.27).

Determination of morpho-physiological and yield traits of maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.) under optimal and drought stress conditions.

Globally, climate change could hinder future food security that concurrently implies the importance of investigating drought stress and genotype screening under stressed environments. Hence, the current study was performed to screen 45 diverse maize inbred lines for 18 studied traits comprising phenological, physiological, morphological, and yield characters under optimum and water stress conditions for two successive growing seasons (2018 and 2019). The results showed that growing seasons and water regimes significantly influenced (p < 0.01) most of the studied traits, while inbred lines had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on all of the studied traits. The findings also showed a significant increase in all studied characters under normal conditions compared to drought conditions, except chlorophyll content, transpiration rate, and proline content which exhibited higher levels under water stress conditions. Furthermore, the results of the principal component analysis indicated a notable distinction between the performance of the 45 maize inbred lines under normal and drought conditions. In terms of grain yield, the drought tolerance index (DTI) showed that Nub60 (1.56), followed by Nub32 (1.46), Nub66 (1.45), and GZ603 (1.44) were the highest drought-tolerant inbred lines, whereas Nub46 (0.38) was the lowest drought-tolerant inbred line. These drought-tolerant inbred lines were able to maintain a relatively high grain yield under normal and stress conditions, whereas those drought-sensitive inbred lines showed a decline in grain yield when exposed to drought conditions. The hierarchical clustering analysis based on DTI classified the forty-five maize inbred lines and eighteen measured traits into three column- and row-clusters, as inbred lines in cluster-3 followed by those in cluster-2 exhibited greater drought tolerance in most of the studied traits. Utilizing the multi-trait stability index (MTSI) criterion in this study identified nine inbred lines, including GZ603, as stable genotypes in terms of the eighteen studied traits across four environments. The findings of the current investigation motivate plant breeders to explore the genetic potential of the current maize germplasm, especially in water-stressed environments.

Hydrogen Sulfide and Silicon Together Alleviate Chromium (VI) Toxicity by Modulating Morpho-Physiological and Key Antioxidant Defense Systems in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties.

Extensive use of chromium (Cr) in anthropogenic activities leads to Cr toxicity in plants causing serious threat to the environment. Cr toxicity impairs plant growth, development, and metabolism. In the present study, we explored the effect of NaHS [a hydrogen sulfide; (H2S), donor] and silicon (Si), alone or in combination, on two chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties (Pusa 2085 and Pusa Green 112), in pot conditions under Cr stress. Cr stress increased accumulation of Cr reduction of the plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase activity and decreased in photosynthetic pigments, essential minerals, relative water contents (RWC), and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in both the varieties. Exogenous application of NaHS and Si on plants exposed to Cr stress mitigated the effect of Cr and enhanced the physiological and biochemical parameters by reducing Cr accumulation and oxidative stress in roots and leaves. The interactive effects of NaHS and Si showed a highly significant and positive correlation with PM H+-ATPase activity, photosynthetic pigments, essential minerals, RWC, proline content, and enzymatic antioxidant activities (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, superoxide dismutase, and monodehydroascorbate reductase). A similar trend was observed for non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (ascorbic acid, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and dehydroascorbic acid level) in leaves while oxidative damage in roots and leaves showed a negative correlation. Exogenous application of NaHS + Si could enhance Cr stress tolerance in chickpea and field studies are warranted for assessing crop yield under Cr-affected area.

Characterisation of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Small Watercourses of the European Central Plains Ecoregion and the Effect of Different Environmental Factors.

Most publications on the influence of environmental factors on macroinvertebrate communities focus on large rivers, whereas relatively few examine small watercourses in agricultural areas, which, due to their size and pressure from intensive agricultural production, are much more susceptible to the effects of unfavourable environmental conditions or anthropopressure. The aim of our study was to compare the biodiversity of macrozoobenthos assemblages and to determine the effects of physicochemical and hydrological conditions on their abundance and density in 10 small rivers in agricultural areas located in northwest (53°23' N 15°14' E) and central (52°11' N 20°48' E) Poland. In total, 105 taxa were recorded, with the majority being euryoecious. Among the assessed physicochemical parameters, oxygenation was found to affect the density and number of taxa; another important factor was the content of nitrate nitrogen. Sensitivity to changes in water temperature was observed in some macrozoobenthos taxa (especially Decapoda). Of the examined hydrological parameters, the greatest effects were exerted by speed, flow, and depth.

Reproductive Potential of Stone Moroko (Pseudorasbora parva, Temminck et Schlegel, 1846) (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Gobionidae) Inhabiting Central Europe.

Similar to other invasive species, stone moroko is extending its global distribution. The present study aimed to assess the reproductive potential of stone moroko fish in a new habitat in Poland based on analysing the sexual cycle and fecundity. Fish morphometric data, age, and gonadal structures were analysed. Fish age ranged from 0+ to 5+ years. Most females and males (93% and 60%, respectively) had reached sexual maturity in the first year of their life, with the smallest length of 25 mm and 28 mm, respectively. The mean, standard length of the body was 50 mm. The spawning season was spread over four months from late-April to mid-August. Females laid eggs in portions, and the absolute and relative fecundity was 1372 and 1691, respectively. Stone moroko males were ready to spawn for a longer time period than females. The present study shows greater reproductive potential of stone moroko population in the central Europe than the native population, suggesting its successful colonisation in the new habitat.