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Hydrological modelling has long been recognised as an essential tool for understanding and predicting water dynamics, particularly in regions where long-term observational data are limited. In Latvia, significant advancements have been made in the development of hydrological models, with the METQ model family becoming one of the most widely applied for the simulation of runoff and groundwater level regimes. Initially developed in the 1980s, METQ has been continuously refined to improve its predictive capabilities,...

Heavy metal pollution, particularly lead contamination, poses significant environmental and public health risks in urban areas. This study investigates the spatial distribution of lead in snowmelt within Jelgava, Latvia, to identify pollution sources, assess potential environmental impacts, and provide insights into urban pollution management. From 2020 to 2024, snow samples were collected from diverse urban locations, including highways, railway-adjacent zones, industrial districts, and residential areas. Inducti...

The research was carried out to examine the influence of tributary inflows on the hydrochemical properties of the Svete River, which traverses intensive agricultural regions. Sixteen monitoring sites were selected along the main channel and at major tributary junctions. Water samples were collected monthly from surface layers (0 5 cm) over a one-year period, and concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and selected metals were evaluated. A multi-parameter probe and an inductively coupled plasma optical ...

Lake Liepaja, a shallow lagoon-type lake located in the temperate climate zone, is affected by persistent ecological pressures, including nutrient enrichment, sediment contamination, and climate variability. This study presents an overview of long-term water quality dynamics based on monitoring data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (2001-2023), interpreting key physical and chemical indicators as evidence of broader ecological trends. Multi-year records of physicochemical parameters wer...

Urbanization and increasing traffic intensity contribute significantly to heavy metal pollution in urban environments, posing potential risks to public health and ecosystems. This study investigates the spatiotemporal variations of zinc concentrations in snow water within Jelgava, Latvia, from 2020 to 2024. A total of 59 sampling sites in Jelgava and an additional site in Mezciems were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine zinc concentrations and identify potential pollu...

Snow water pollution, especially from heavy metals, is a growing global environmental concern, as urbanization and industrial activities increasingly contribute to the contamination of precipitation. Snow, acting as a natural filter, accumulates atmospheric pollutants, which are subsequently released during snowmelt, entering stormwater systems and surface water bodies. This issue has been observed across Europe, North America, and other industrialized regions, where heavy metals such as nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu...

The increasing flow of traffic passing through cities on a daily basis, especially those cities that have a difficult situation with bypass, raises concerns about the air quality in sections of the transport corridors, as well as in the city as a whole. Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental concern, especially in urban and suburban areas where vehicle emissions contribute to air and soil pollution. The aim of the study is to assess the extent of heavy metal contamination in snow samples collected at dif...

In urban environments, human health is increasingly affected by air quality, particularly air pollution with particulate matter (PM), which contains various toxic chemical elements. Car traffic is one of the main sources of air pollution in urban areas, which not only raises dust from roadways but also emits micro particles from diesel engines and tire wear containing heavy metals. The aim of the study is to evaluate the ability of the lichen species Xanthoria parietina, commonly found in Latvia, to biomonitor and...

The increased importance and availability of digital tool leaves an impact on shaping the digitalization of countries and their economies. Links between the digitalization and economic sector productivity and climate change risk adaptation and/or mitigation increase trough different streams have also been found. The use of digital tools can also help in decision making process in terms of climate change including the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The aim of this study is to develop a base framework ...

Well-aerated soils are essential for methane (CH4) uptake from the atmosphere, acting as significant sinks for this greenhouse gas, which has a global warming potential 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO2). These soils contain methanotrophic bacteria, which oxidize CH4 and thereby reduce atmospheric methane concentrations. The potential of soils to assimilate CH4 depends on factors such as soil type and moisture regime. This study investigates the ability of clay soil Cambic Calcisol to assimilate CH...