Complex Ecologic Method for Assessment and Biomonitoring the Somes Hydrographic Basin Quality , MONISOM

• developing an ecological, complex and complementary methodology for evaluation and monitoring of the quality of the hydrographical basin of Somes River, under the human factors influences, methodology which will help to amend the environmental quality for the sustainable development of the region;
• evaluating  the quality of the hydrographical basin Somes will be made by study of the living organisms from the river (their structural and functional dynamic) from the polluted sectors (with cyanides and heavy metals), which will help the restoration and conservation of the aquatic ecosystems affected.

1. the study of the communities of living organisms which play a key role in the ecology of the Somes River: aquatic and benthic microorganisms (bacteria), microscopic algae, macrophytes, macrozoobenthic organisms and fish;
2. the concentration analysis of the heavy metals resulted from the feathers of young storks and sand martins;
3. the analysis of heavy metals and cyanides concentration in water and sediments. A new method of in situ analysis is proposed, namely the speciation of heavy metals from water, the technique of diffusion gradients in thin film layers (DGT).
4. the results obtained will be integrated into a unitary Geographical International System (GIS), which will allow:

• the accomplishment of a complete and complex database;
• to perform analyses and correlations;
• to elaborate maps containing: the exact localization of pollution sources, the results offered by the investigation of the living communities, the pollution degree of water and sediment in every chosen sector along the river, their downstream transfer and the implications of transborder pollution.

The project proposes a complex and ecological methodology for evaluating and biomonitoring the hydrographical basins affected by human activities, based on the reaction of the living organisms. The evaluation of the Somes basin quality (characterization of the typical ecosystems diversity and their dynamics in structural and functional design) will be accomplished studying the living communities from the sections of the river exposed to cyanide and heavy metal pollution in order to rehabilitate and preserve the affected aquatic ecosystems. Along with the aquatic organisms, birds will be also used for both biomonitoring the water quality, so as to obtain information concerning the health condition of fish populations and identification of some specific pollutants (pesticides, heavy metals and radioactive materials). In the proposed biomonitoring method of the Somes basin quality, the data obtained by analyzing the concentration of heavy metals resulted from the white stork feathers and sand martin chicks will also be used. The biological data will be compared with the chemical data (water and sediments), in field and laboratory.

• studies, analyses and documentation for elaboration the strategies and methodologies for biodiversity monitoring of the damaged sectors of the river;
• evaluation of the present quality of the hydrographical basin Somes: preparing and analyze the samples, interpretation of the results;
• elaboration of a database in GIS format: (ecological and chemical database and map processing of characteristic habitats from the investigated river and identification of the disturbed surfaces;
• elaboration and execution of the asses and biomonitoring of the quality of the hydrographical basin;
• spreading the information: scientific articles, presentations, web-site, workshops.

• a modern, complex and original biomonitoring method and evaluation of the quality of Somes catchment’s area under the influence of human impacts in order to develop a rehabilitation and conservation of the affected aquatic ecosystems, applicable also at other regions;
• database containing information about the quality of Somes catchment’s area;
• identification of the threatened river sectors, where eventual accidents could cause transboundary pollutions;
• ecological maps of this region;
• presentation manual;
• scientific papers;
• improving the current knowledge of the Romanian scientific, technological and technical situation;
• regional research network.

Stage I. Applied research
Period: Sept. 2005 – Dec. 2005
New, modern methods of biodiversity monitoring of aquatic systems
1.1 Studies on biodiversity monitoring methods;
1.2 The background history of pollutions in the Somes catchment’s area.

Objectives:

• Biodiversity monitoring methods;
• The necessity of quality evaluation and biomonitoring of Somes catchment’s area.

Results:

• Existing method of biodiversity monitoring;
• Identification of pollution sources;
• Identification of bioindicators.

Stage II. Applied research
Period: Dec. 2005 – Nov. 2006
Evaluation of the quality of Somes catchment’s area
2.1 Planning of the field work;
2.2 Sampling and sample analysis;
2.3 Interpretation of results.

Objectives:

• Establishing of the sampling strategy and methodology (water, sediment, biological samples);
• Determination of the catchment’s area quality.

Results:

• Sampling strategy and methodology;
• Sample analysis (water, sediment, biological samples);
• Measurement results;
• Comparative study.

Stage III. Applied research
Period: Dec. 2006 – May 2007
Elaboration of database in GIS format
3.1 Biological database;
3.2 Chemical database.

Objectives:
Database

Results:

• Database (biological and chemical);
• Ecological maps;
• Identifying the threatened sectors.

Stage IV. Competitiv research and development
Period: June 2007 – Dec. 2008
Biomonitoring method of the quality of Somes catchment’s area
4.1. Elaboration and realization of biomonitoring methods of the quality of Somes catchment’s area;
4.2 Experimentation of the monitoring and evaluation method;
4.3 Elaboration of the method presentation manual.

Objectives:

• Evaluation and monitoring method of the quality of Somes catchment’s area under the influence of anthropic factors;
• Experimentation of the methods.

Results:

• Evaluation and monitoring methods;
• Specialized software;
• Results of the experiments;
• Presentation manual.

Stage V. Support activities
Period: Dec. 2007 – Iun. 2008
Dissemination of results
5.1 Dissemination on large scale through communication and publication;
5.2 Demonstrative meetings;
5.3 Organization of a presentation workshop.

Objectives:

Objectives:

• Communication of results;
• Publication of methods;
• Presentation of the utility of methods.

Results:

• Scientific presentation;
• Papers (national and international);
• Web page;
• Presentation CD.

 Monisom – Summary