Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin最新文献

Monitoring of the quality of inland waters is important to maintain the aquatic ecosystems health and to ensure water quality standards established by environmental laws in each country. Our goal here is to present the possibilities and challenges of water quality mapping based on Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8 satellite images in geographically distinct Brazilian reservoirs as a study case. The satellite images were able to show chlorophyll a, turbidity, and Secchi data trends over 8 years of remote sensing monitoring. The time savings in the analysis of a large dataset and the availability to a wide range of stakeholders make remote sensing a good tool for monitoring inland waters. However, water quality parameters were highly influenced by cloud cover and the accuracy was low at the margin of tributary rivers. The integration of remote sensing and in situ data are needed to increase the effectiveness and accuracy of the remote sensing tools.

Plastics are receiving widespread attention as an environmental contaminant, but their role in disrupting the behavior and physiology of organisms remains neglected. Here, I highlight growing evidence that plastics have pervasive, non-toxic effects in aquatic ecosystems, especially on feeding interactions. These effects ultimately have consequences for the flow of energy through food webs and the productivity of entire ecosystems. New research efforts are now needed to link synthetic polymers and their additive chemistries to food web interactions under field conditions. This knowledge could be used to strengthen regulatory risk assessments, similar to the process for other ecological-disrupting compounds, such as those that interfere with hormone systems.

In a world shaped by scientific progress, it is crucial to instill a passion for science in children. This is particularly true for natural sciences, such as aquatic sciences, which are the most needed to raise awareness of the threats our planet is facing. Effective science communication empowers young minds, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Communicating science, and in particular marine and freshwater sciences, to children taps into their innate curiosity, fostering a sense of wonder and inquiry about the natural world. Through engaging narratives and captivating visuals, cartoons, children's books, and comics pique the interest of children, encouraging them to explore scientific concepts and ask questions. By nurturing this curiosity from an early age, we lay the foundation for a lifelong passion for scientific discovery and love for nature.

Cartoons, children's books, and comics have a unique ability to distill complex scientific ideas into simplified, accessible formats. Through vibrant illustrations, relatable characters, and straightforward language, these mediums break down intricate concepts, making them easier to grasp for young readers. By presenting science in an engaging and entertaining manner, children can more effectively absorb and retain knowledge, paving the way for future scientific literacy (Vartiainen and Kumpulainen 2019). Scientific literacy is particularly important in the field of aquatic sciences which are usually not a substantial part, if any, of school curricula. The result of such a deficiency in knowledge may be a new generation of adults with little comprehension of the importance of the continental waters and the oceans. To fill this gap, we as scientists should do our best to communicate and educate. In our labor, we can target simultaneously different groups of society, besides children. For instance, by employing two levels of reading within the science communication materials of cartoons, children's books, and comics we can create an opportunity for both children and adults to engage with scientific content. Although the first level of reading caters to children, the second level provides additional information or deeper explanations that captivate adult readers and empower them to answer questions and further explain the contents. This dual approach fosters a shared learning experience, encouraging dialogue between generations, and creating a collaborative environment that enhances understanding and appreciation of scientific knowledge.

As an example, I present a story in which Pepo the copepod explains what copepods are, what they do in the sea, and the problems he experiences during his life (Fig. 1). He introduces concepts such as predation, reproduction, vertical migration, and effects of pollution and presents other components of plankton, such as microplankton and meroplankton. The ultimate goal of this text is to make children and adults a