Aquatic publication review (33)

Modern scientific research is increasingly showing the significant impact of both human activity and natural processes on the water environment. The use of winter de-icing agents, while improving safety on roads and parking lots, leads to the degradation of urban greenery and rainwater pollution. Thanks to modern technologies, such as computer models using machine learning, it has been possible to map the history of the Alpine Ice Field from 25,000 years ago. years. Tropical cyclones, some of the most powerful weather phenomena, not only change the hydrological pattern of the regions they haunt, but also affect water resources locally and globally.

In the Arctic, where permafrost is beginning to thaw, the consequences of this process are becoming increasingly apparent – from degradation of infrastructure, to threats to water quality, to serious challenges for local communities and ecosystems. The results of recent analysis not only provide valuable insights into these issues, but also point to potential solutions that can help mitigate them.

1. Long S., Rippy M.A., Krauss L., et al. (2024). The impact of deicer and anti-icer use on plant communities in stormwater detention basins: Characterizing salt stress and phytoremediation potential. Science of The Total Environment, 178310

Winter conditions necessitate the use of de-icing and anti-icing agents to ensure safety on roads and parking lots. However, the use of such substances has a significant impact on the environment, including green urban infrastructure. In a study conducted in Northern Virginia during the unusually snowy hydrological year of 2021/2022, a team of researchers analyzed the effects of salt on vegetation in 14 retention basins. Sites were selected that differed in their sources of discharged water – from roads, parking lots, green spaces and permeable areas.

Comprehensive analyses of soil, rainwater and vegetation were carried out, taking into account different seasons: before snowfall, in winter and during the growing season. The results show that reservoirs draining roads and parking lots showed significantly higher salinity levels than those draining green spaces. The highest salt concentrations were recorded in winter and spring. They often exceeded toxicity thresholds for most plants.

A total of 255 plant species were identified in the studied reservoirs. Of these, only 48 showed tolerance to increased salinity, including Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, Festuca rubra, Eleocharis palustris and Panicum virgatum. In reservoirs draining permeable areas, species with lower salt tolerance dominated, while those containing water runoff from roads and parking lots were more likely to have halophilic plants that accumulated significant amounts of sodium and chloride (an average of 9.5 mg/g of sodium and 28.5 mg/g of chloride). These species were able to remove between 5 and 6 percent of the salt entering the system annually. While this is a small percentage, the results indicate a potential role for plants in reducing the effects of salinity. However, the researchers emphasize the need to design more efficient stormwater drainage systems.

2 Leger T.P.M., Jouvet G., Kamleitner S., et al. (2025). A data-consistent model of the last glaciation in the Alps achieved with physics-driven AI. Nature Communications, 16, Article number: 848

25,000. Years ago, the European Alps were covered by a huge Alpine Ice Field (AIF) that was several kilometers thick. Trying to understand its history has long been a challenge for scientists, as computer models often distorted the actual thickness of the ice and indicated, inconsistently with field data, where the scramble ended. The main goal of the study was to create a more accurate model that could better reproduce conditions during the last glaciation, answer questions about how the glacier influenced landscape formation and erosion, and what physical processes determined its flow and melting.

The study used a state-of-the-art three-dimensional model, called the Instructed Glacier Model (IGM), which combines machine learning with physics principles. With this tool, the researchers were able to run as many as 100 simulations, mapping the glacier with very high accuracy – each simulation had a resolution of 300 meters. This allowed a much better match between the results and reality, reducing errors in estimates by as much as 200-450 percent compared to previous studies.

The results of the simulations provided new information about ice flow velocities, temperatures inside the glacier, erosion processes and the paleoclimate of the Alps. The innovative approach combining physical modeling and machine learning may find application in the study of glaciers around the world, contributing to a better understanding of their role in shaping the landscape and climate.

3 Gartler S., Scheer J., Meyer A., et al. (2025). A transdisciplinary, comparative analysis reveals key risks from Arctic permafrost thaw. Communications Earth & Environment, 6, 21

Thawing permafrost poses a serious threat to the Arctic environment and the way of life of local communities. In four key regions: Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), Avannaata Municipality (Greenland), the Beaufort Sea and Mackenzie Delta region (Canada), and Bulunskiy District (Russia), five major risks associated with thawing permafrost were examined: infrastructure failures, disruption of mobility and supplies, reduced water quality, decreased food security, and exposure to disease and pollution.

The study, involving 26 institutes, was carried out as part of the Nunataryuk project. An interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach was used, including field research, workshops, interviews and thematic network analysis. The summary included the perspectives of scientists, local communities, indigenous peoples and government representatives. Data were collected on physical processes, key threats and their social consequences.

Differences in perceptions and impacts of permafrost loss were identified across regions. In Longyearbyen and Greenland, infrastructure problems such as land deformation and landslides appeared to be a priority. In the Beaufort Sea and Mackenzie Delta region, food security concerns, related to loss of biodiversity and changing hydrological conditions dominated. In Russia, threats from coastal erosion and difficulties in accessing clean water were particularly significant.

The results of the study highlight that the effects of thawing permafrost are strongly linked to local environmental conditions, social and historical contexts. Recommendations are made for an integrated approach to risk management that takes into account adaptation and mitigation activities. The study provides valuable information on the development of adaptation strategies and supports decision-makers in taking informed environmental action.

4. sánchez-Murillo R., Herrera D.A., Farrick K.K., et al. (2024). Stable isotope tempestology of tropical cyclones across the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean basins. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Tropical cyclones are some of the most intense and destructive weather phenomena that significantly affect the environment and human life in coastal and island regions. The study analyzed the isotopic composition of precipitation (proportions of different forms of water molecules) associated with 40 cyclones in the North Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins. Data were collected from two periods: 1984-1995 and 2012-2023, compiling a total of more than 6,000 results from surface and groundwater.

The researchers found that precipitation generated by cyclones differed in composition from that produced by ordinary rains. In mountainous areas, for example, precipitation from cyclones had lower isotopic values due to their interaction with the terrain and atmospheric processes. In contrast, intense precipitation along the coasts and in marine areas often showed higher values.

The analysis also proved that water from cyclones quickly enters river and groundwater systems, allowing for a better understanding of their impact on water resources. This makes it possible to determine more precisely the role of these weather phenomena in the local hydrological cycle, as well as to study past storms based on traces in the environment.

Comparing different categories of cyclones, it was noted that the most intense storms (Category 4 and 5 hurricanes) caused the most profound changes in water systems. The results of the study indicate that isotopic data can be helpful in analyzing both modern and historical weather events to better understand their impact on climate and plan more effective water management strategies.

[1] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178310

[2] doi: 0.1038/s41467-025-56168-3

[3] https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56168-3

[4] https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15274