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.

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The Llobregat River basin: a paradigm of impaired rivers under climate change threats. Rafael Marcé, Jordi Honey-Rosés, Andreu Manzano, Lucas Moragas, Bernardette Catllar and Sergi Sabater

Low Llobregat aquifers: intensive development, salinization, contamination and management. Emilio Custodio

Managed artificial recharge in the Llobregat aquifers: quantitative versus qualitative aspects. Xavier Sanchez Vila, Josep-Lluïs Armenter , Felip Ortuño, Enric Queralt, Daniel Fernàndez-Garcia

In-Stream nutrient flux and retention in relation to land use in the Llobregat River Basin. Rosana Aguilera, Sergi Sabater, Rafel Marcé

The biological communities in the Llobregat as the outcome of multiple stressors. Isabel Muñoz, Emili Garcia-Berthou, Sergi Sabater

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants in the Llobregat River Basin: an overview. Daniel Guillén, Antoni Ginebreda, Ethel Eljarrat, Mira Petrovic, Damià Barceló

Occurence and behaviour of brominated flame retardants in the Llobregat River Basin. Ethel Eljarrat, Damià Barceló

Inputs of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds in the Llobregat River Basin. Mira Petrovic, Damia Barceló

Occurrence and fate of sulfonamide antibiotics in surface waters: climatic effects on their presence in the mediterranean region and aquatic ecosystem vulnerability. M. Jesús García Galán, M. Silvia Díaz Cruz, Damià Barceló

Perfluorinated compounds analysis, environmental fate and occurrence:

The Llobregat River as case study. Marta Llorca, Francisca Pérez, Marinella Farré, Yolanda Picó, Damià Barceló

Illicit drugs and metabolites in the Llobregat River Basin

Cristina Postigo, Nicola Mastroianni, Miren López De Alda, Damià Barceló

Risk assessment of Pollutants in the Llobregat River Basin

Antoni Ginebreda, Carles Barata, Damià Barceló

Human pressure and its effects on water quality and biota in the Llobregat River. Antoni Munné, Carolina Solà, Lluis Tirapu, Carlos Barata, Maria Rieradevall, Narcis Prat

Wastewater reuse in the Llobregat: the experience at the Prat de Llobregat treatment plant. Sandra Pérez, M-E Rubiano, Antoni Ginebreda, Cristina Postigo, Rebeca López-Serna, Juan Blanco, Victoria Osorio, Miren López De Alda, Mira Petrovic, Jordi J. Pastor, Lleonard Matia, Jordi Martin-Alonso, Antoni Munné, Joan Jofre, Francisco Lucena, Miriam Agulló-Barceló, Narcís Prat, Damià Barceló

Ecosystem Services in an impacted watershed. The relevance of hydrology, human influence and global change. Marta Terrado, Jordi Honey-Rosés, Vicenç Acuña, Sergi Sabater