Arno Rein

Seed coatings protect agricultural crops from pests, but they can expose pollinators to residues. We extended a dynamic model for pesticide uptake from soil into maize plants with a flower compartment, including nectar and pollen. Field experiments with seed/soil and spray applications were simulated successfully. Calibrated loss rates usually exceeded dissipation rates empirically fitted to declining concentrations due to continuous delivery of chemicals seen by the model (soil to plant components). Simulated dissipation consists of growth dilution and degradation (nonvolatile compounds) with half-lives fitted for imidacloprid in pollen of 0.2 to 0.9 days, close to observations following spray application. Our model predicts that mobile, persistent, and nonvolatile chemicals are potentially translocated to pollen if present in soil. This is relevant also for persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) chemicals released from reclaimed wastewater or via sewage sludge application. Our model can be incorporated into existing frameworks to estimate the exposure of pollinating insects.

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique applied worldwide, operating at the river–groundwater interface and offering the potential to enhance both groundwater quantity and quality, thereby improving drinking water supply security. However, its sustainable implementation requires a robust understanding of hydraulic interactions between surface water and groundwater as well as hydrochemical processes, supported by targeted local and regional monitoring strategies. Moreover, recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary in response to seasonal and event-based fluctuations in river flow, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. In our study, we investigated river water–groundwater mixing, along with bank filtrate residence times, to improve the understanding of recharge dynamics at the Kępa Bogumiłowicka RBF site, a key regional water supply system located near Tarnów, southern Poland. Environmental tracers, including stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance, were combined with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records. The results demonstrate that RBF is the dominant aquifer recharge mechanism, contributing more than 90% of the year-round yield from seven production wells located near the riverbank. Based on this case study, we propose a practical and transferable framework for efficient RBF monitoring and management. The approach integrates multi-tracer observations with ensemble end-member mixing analysis (EEMMA), combining discrete sampling with continuous physicochemical and hydrometeorological monitoring over at least one hydrological year. This cost-effective workflow enables robust recharge-source assessment, supports the evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative groundwater status, and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and rapid hydrological changes. As such, it provides a valuable template for the long-term, sustainable and resilient management of MAR-based drinking water resources in shallow alluvial aquifers.

Riverbank filtration (RBF), a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique utilised at the river–groundwater interface, can enhance groundwater quantity and quality, thus improving water supply security. However, it demands targeted local and regional monitoring strategies to understand how recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary with seasonal and short-term, event-based river flow fluctuations, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. We evaluated river water–groundwater mixing and groundwater residence times to enhance the knowledge of aquifer recharge dynamics at the RBF site near Tarnów, Poland, serving as a critical drinking water source in this region. By coupling environmental tracers (stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance) with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records, we show that RBF is the dominant recharge mechanism for the system that constitutes over 90 % of year-round yield from the production wells near the riverbank. Based on this example, we present a transferable and practical methodology for managing RBF systems efficiently: a multi-tracer, Ensemble End-Member Mixing Analysis (EEMMA) based workflow that covers at least one hydrological year, checks for local biases, and combines discrete water samples with continuous monitoring of physicochemical and hydrometeorological data, thus providing a robust and cost-effective template for recharge-source assessment. Such a framework determines both quantitative and qualitative status of abstracted groundwater and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and/or rapid hydrological shifts, which are crucial for sustainable water resource management internationally.

Riverbank filtration (RBF), a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique utilised at the river–groundwater interface, can enhance groundwater quantity and quality, thus improving water supply security. However, it demands targeted local and regional monitoring strategies to understand how recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary with seasonal and short-term, event-based river flow fluctuations, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. We evaluated river water–groundwater mixing and groundwater residence times to enhance the knowledge of aquifer recharge dynamics at the RBF site near Tarnów, Poland, serving as a critical drinking water source for this agglomeration. By coupling environmental tracers (stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance) with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records, we show that RBF is the dominant recharge mechanism for the analysed system functioning, constituting over 90 % of year-round yield from the production wells near the riverbank. Based on this example, we present a transferable and practical methodology for managing RBF systems efficiently: a multi-tracer, Ensemble End-Member Mixing Analysis (EEMMA) based workflow that covers at least one hydrological year, checks for local biases, and combines discrete water samples with continuous monitoring of physicochemical and hydrometeorological data, provides a robust and cost-effective template for recharge-source assessment. Such a framework determines both quantitative and qualitative status of abstracted groundwater and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and/or rapid hydrological shifts, which are crucial for sustainable water resource management internationally.

Riverbank filtration (RBF), a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique utilised at the river–groundwater interface, can enhance groundwater quantity and quality, thus improving water supply security. However, it demands targeted local and regional monitoring strategies to understand how recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary with seasonal and short-term, event-based river flow fluctuations, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. We evaluated river water–groundwater mixing and groundwater residence times to enhance the knowledge of aquifer recharge dynamics at the RBF site near Tarnów, Poland, serving as a critical drinking water source for this agglomeration. By coupling environmental tracers (stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance) with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records, we show that RBF is the dominant recharge mechanism for the analysed system functioning, constituting over 90 % of year-round yield from the production wells near the riverbank. Based on this example, we present a transferable and practical methodology for managing RBF systems efficiently: a multi-tracer, Ensemble End-Member Mixing Analysis (EEMMA) based workflow that covers at least one hydrological year, checks for local biases, and combines discrete water samples with continuous monitoring of physicochemical and hydrometeorological data, provides a robust and cost-effective template for recharge-source assessment. Such a framework determines both quantitative and qualitative status of abstracted groundwater and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and/or rapid hydrological shifts, which are crucial for sustainable water resource management internationally.

Riverbank filtration (RBF), a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique utilised at the river–groundwater interface, can enhance groundwater quantity and quality, thus improving water supply security. However, it demands targeted local and regional monitoring strategies to understand how recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary with seasonal and short-term, event-based river flow fluctuations, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. We evaluated river water–groundwater mixing and groundwater residence times to enhance the knowledge of aquifer recharge dynamics at the RBF site near Tarnów, Poland, serving as a critical drinking water source for this agglomeration. By coupling environmental tracers (stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance) with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records, we show that RBF is the dominant recharge mechanism for the analysed system functioning, constituting over 90 % of year-round yield from the production wells near the riverbank. Based on this example, we present a transferable and practical methodology for managing RBF systems efficiently: a multi-tracer, Ensemble End-Member Mixing Analysis (EEMMA) based workflow that covers at least one hydrological year, checks for local biases, and combines discrete water samples with continuous monitoring of physicochemical and hydrometeorological data, provides a robust and cost-effective template for recharge-source assessment. Such a framework determines both quantitative and qualitative status of abstracted groundwater and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and/or rapid hydrological shifts, which are crucial for sustainable water resource management internationally.

Riverbank filtration (RBF), a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique utilised at the river–groundwater interface, can enhance groundwater quantity and quality, thus improving water supply security. However, it demands targeted local and regional monitoring strategies to understand how recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary with seasonal and short-term, event-based river flow fluctuations, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. We evaluated river water–groundwater mixing and groundwater residence times to enhance the knowledge of aquifer recharge dynamics at the RBF site near Tarnów, Poland, serving as a critical drinking water source for this agglomeration. By coupling environmental tracers (stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance) with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records, we show that RBF is the dominant recharge mechanism for the analysed system functioning, constituting over 90 % of year-round yield from the production wells near the riverbank. Based on this example, we present a transferable and practical methodology for managing RBF systems efficiently: a multi-tracer, Ensemble End-Member Mixing Analysis (EEMMA) based workflow that covers at least one hydrological year, checks for local biases, and combines discrete water samples with continuous monitoring of physicochemical and hydrometeorological data, provides a robust and cost-effective template for recharge-source assessment. Such a framework determines both quantitative and qualitative status of abstracted groundwater and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and/or rapid hydrological shifts, which are crucial for sustainable water resource management internationally.

Riverbank filtration (RBF), a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technique utilised at the river–groundwater interface, can enhance groundwater quantity and quality, thus improving water supply security. However, it demands targeted local and regional monitoring strategies to understand how recharge efficiency and water quality benefits may vary with seasonal and short-term, event-based river flow fluctuations, upstream contaminant inputs, and site-specific aquifer heterogeneity. We evaluated river water–groundwater mixing and groundwater residence times to enhance the knowledge of aquifer recharge dynamics at the RBF site near Tarnów, Poland, serving as a critical drinking water source for this agglomeration. By coupling environmental tracers (stable water isotopes, chloride concentration, water temperature and specific electrical conductance) with high-resolution hydrological, meteorological and groundwater abstraction records, we show that RBF is the dominant recharge mechanism for the analysed system functioning, constituting over 90 % of year-round yield from the production wells near the riverbank. Based on this example, we present a transferable and practical methodology for managing RBF systems efficiently: a multi-tracer, Ensemble End-Member Mixing Analysis (EEMMA) based workflow that covers at least one hydrological year, checks for local biases, and combines discrete water samples with continuous monitoring of physicochemical and hydrometeorological data, provides a robust and cost-effective template for recharge-source assessment. Such a framework determines both quantitative and qualitative status of abstracted groundwater and facilitates proactive responses to upstream pollution events and/or rapid hydrological shifts, which are crucial for sustainable water resource management internationally.