The Llobregat : The Story of a Polluted Mediterranean River

The Llobregat belongs to the most thoroughly studied rivers in Europe and is a paradigm of the confluence of human and natural disturbances in a single basin. Because of its location in a very densely populated region and its Mediterranean character, the Llobregat supports a mixture of irregular flow, water abstraction, excess nutrients, mining debris, and a wide array of pollutants. The aquatic organisms strive to survive in a dramatically changing river that passes through a succession of dams, weirs and channels. The long-term river monitoring as well as the research that has been carried out in the river for a long time have provided an extensive knowledge of these disturbances and their effects on the biological communities. This book highlights the available information, with emphasis on the hydrological, chemical and biological elements interspersed in the river. Experts in the field discuss the main nutrient patterns and pollutant occurrence and the responses of the biological quality elements as well as the river ecosystem to the overall natural and man-made influences. Content: Front Matter....Pages i-xiv The Llobregat River Basin: A Paradigm of Impaired Rivers Under Climate Change Threats....Pages 1-26 Low Llobregat Aquifers: Intensive Development, Salinization, Contamination, and Management....Pages 27-49 Managed Artificial Recharge in the Llobregat Aquifers: Quantitative Versus Qualitative Aspects....Pages 51-68 In-Stream Nutrient Flux and Retention in Relation to Land Use in the Llobregat River Basin....Pages 69-92 The Effect of Multiple Stressors on Biological Communities in the Llobregat....Pages 93-116 Occurrence of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Llobregat River Basin: An Overview....Pages 117-133 Occurrence and Behavior of Brominated Flame Retardants in the Llobregat River Basin....Pages 135-150 Inputs of Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in the Llobregat River Basin....Pages 151-165 Occurrence and Fate of Sulfonamide Antibiotics in Surface Waters: Climatic Effects on Their Presence in the Mediterranean Region and Aquatic Ecosystem Vulnerability....Pages 167-192 Perfluorinated Compounds’ Analysis, Environmental Fate and Occurrence: The Llobregat River as Case Study....Pages 193-237 Illicit Drugs and Metabolites in the Llobregat River Basin....Pages 239-261 Risk Assessment of Pollutants in the Llobregat River Basin....Pages 263-295 Human Pressure and Its Effects on Water Quality and Biota in the Llobregat River....Pages 297-325 Wastewater Reuse in the Llobregat: The Experience at the Prat de Llobregat Treatment Plant....Pages 327-346 Ecosystem Services in an Impacted Watershed....Pages 347-368 Back Matter....Pages 369-373