Surface water quality refers to the physicochemical and biological characteristics of water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, streams, and coastal zones as they relate to ecological integrity, human use, and regulatory standards. It encompasses parameters such as nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus), dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, suspended solids, salinity, trace metals, organic contaminants, pathogens, and emerging pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, microplastics). Research on surface water quality involves monitoring, modeling contaminant transport and transformation, assessing pollution sources (point and nonpoint), evaluating ecosystem and human health risks, and developing management and remediation strategies within hydrological and biogeochemical frameworks.
Water is a vital resource. Life on Earth, as we know it, is impossible without access to safe drinking water. Concerns over declining quality and consistency of municipal drinking water supplied to consumers have been increasing ...
Environment
Dec 17, 2025
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Urbanization and a warmer climate means that more people want to swim in canals, harbors, and urban beaches. However, this means that they may be swimming close to where treated wastewater and stormwater are discharged—including ...
Cell & Microbiology
Dec 15, 2025
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A Washington State University-led study in Guatemala found the sources of drinking water people believe to be safe and clean often contain potentially dangerous bacteria.
Environment
Nov 19, 2025
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Beneath the surface of lakes and coastal waters lies a hidden world of sediment that plays a crucial role in the health of aquatic ecosystems. "Benthic fluxes" of nitrogen and phosphorus, such as releases of these dissolved ...
Earth Sciences
Nov 5, 2025
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The Stream Ecology group of the University of the Basque Country (EHU) has tested various ways of measuring river quality in three streams in the Green Belt area of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Using these trials as the basis, the team ...
Ecology
Nov 3, 2025
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Wetlands are an important part of the ecological system, providing a myriad of benefits for people, wildlife, and the environment. They also serve as "nature's kidneys," filtering out pollutants from surface water. A new ...
Environment
Oct 28, 2025
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A group of man-made chemicals are accumulating across the River of Grass—raising questions about potential impacts to water quality and ongoing restoration efforts.
Environment
Oct 16, 2025
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Municipal wastewater treatment plants are ineffective at removing Prozac (fluoxetine) and other common pharmaceuticals in wastewater, causing the drugs to be discharged into lakes, rivers and streams where they pose a risk ...
Environment
Sep 24, 2025
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Microbes in water are like invisible travelers—and some carry disease with them. Keeping the water that flows through our treatment plants, rivers and taps healthy and safe from microbial infection is a challenge.
Ecology
Sep 17, 2025
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Seen from the air, a Florida freshwater spring is a bit of liquid heaven, luring humans and wildlife to enjoy its aquamarine cool. With at least 1,000 of them—more than any other state—the springs serve as beaches for ...
Environment
Aug 29, 2025
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