Protection of drinking water resources from agricultural pressures: Effectiveness of EU regulations in the context of local realities.

Over the last decades, nutrients and pesticides have proved to be a major source of the pollution of drinking water resources in Europe. Extensive legislation has been developed by the EU to protect drinking water resources from agricultural pollution, but the achievement of water quality objectives is still an ongoing challenge throughout Europe. The study aims to identify lessons that can be learnt about the coherence and consistency of the application of EU regulations, and their effects at the local level, using qualitative expert data for 13 local to regional governance arrangements in 11 different European countries.

The soil-water system as basis for a climate proof and healthy urban environment: opportunities identified in a Dutch case-study.

One of the effects of climate change expected to take place in urban areas in the Netherlands is an increase in periods of extreme heat and drought. How the soil can contribute to making cities more climate proof is often neglected. Unsealed soil and green spaces increase water storage capacity and can consequently prevent flooding.

Competitive binding of CU2+ and Zn2+ to live cells of shewanella putrefaciens.

Binding of Cu2+ and Zn2+ to live cells of Shewanella putrefaciens was measured at pH 4, 5.5, and 7 for dissolved metal concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 microM.