Institutional,regulatory, and managerial aspects of the development of transboundary water bodies and streams in Russia

The number of international agreements on transboundary water bodies and streams was found to increase rapidly in the late XX and early XXI century. The institutional and regulatory conditions required for solving the problems of international rivers and lakes are discussed. A system of governmental bodies in Russia, dealing with the use and protection of transboundary water bodies and streams is described. The international cooperation of Russia in the management of transboundary water bodies and streams is shown.     

Methodological approaches to pollution assessment in water bodies within the operation zone of mining plants

A series of methods for assessing water body pollution by chemical characteristics are considered as applied to water bodies in the operation zone of mining plants. In some methods, the estimate of water body pollution may reflect regional features of waters, rather than their pollution. Evaluating the environmentally allowable concentrations of elements and their biogeochemical tolerance has shown those values to increase with increasing water body pollution, a fact that contradicts the essence of those characteristics. The most simple and universal is a procedure for evaluating water pollution index with the use of regional MACs, taking into account the geochemical background concentrations of the elements and their toxicity using as a criterion the value of MAC for water bodies used for fishery.     

Chronic pollution of freshwater bodies: Data on accumulation of pesticides,oil products,and other toxic substances in bottom deposits

The results of studies aimed to assess the information significance of the coefficients of bottom accumulation of hydrophobic organic substances and heavy metals as indicators of pollution of freshwater bodies are presented. It is shown that the same value of the coefficient of bottom accumulation may correspond to different situations in water bodies. Methods for the interpretation of data on the state of water bodies based on the coefficient of bottom accumulation and its components are proposed to reliably determine the level and character of pollution. Chronic pollution of a number of freshwater bodies of the Russian Federation is assessed by data on the accumulation of pesticides, oil products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals in bottom deposits.     

The role of biogenic hydrocarbons in the assessment of oil pollution of freshwater bodies

The results of studying the concentrations and component composition of hydrocarbons and associated oxidized hydrophobic compounds in water bodies with different degrees of oil product pollution are given. It is shown that the role of biogenic hydrocarbons in the assessment of oil pollution of freshwater bodies, especially those having high biological productivity, can be quite significant. Such assessment requires the examination of their genesis by using the proposed gas-chromatographic and luminescent criteria. The most informative object for observations in the identification of oil and biogenic hydrocarbons for the assessment of chronic oil pollution of freshwater bodies is bottom sediment.     

The state of aquatic ecosystems in the zone of hydrocarbon deposits in the middle Pechora basin according to data of hydrochemical and biological analyses

Data on water chemistry in water bodies and streams in Pechora basin in the territory of several gas-condensate deposits are presented. Diatom algae of periphyton and macrophytes are used to assess the effect of production facilities on aquatic ecosystems. The specific features of the structure of diatom complexes in streams subject to the effect of pollutants and accumulation of heavy metals in individual plant species in water bodies accumulating production wastes are shown.     

Bioassessment of water quality and defining of critical levels of multicontamination for aquatic life

The existing approaches to and methods for bioassessment of water quality are critically analyzed. The significance of the methodological approach under the concept of ecosystem “health” as the most integral numerical method for assessing pollution effects. Comparative analysis is given to the significance of criteria based on the state of individuals, populations, and communities. The results of practical testing of the methods developed for biological assessment of water quality for some water bodies are presented. Critical levels are established based on the construction of dose-effect dependences. The basic principles for limiting surface water pollution are formulated.     

Introducing environmental thresholds into water withdrawal management of mountain streams in the Kura River basin,Azerbaijan

Abstract

The study aims to set and implement environmentally relevant limits for the exploitation of mountain streams in the Kura River basin of Azerbaijan. Such streams represent the preferred spawning grounds for valuable sturgeon of the Caspian Sea, but experience continuously increasing exploitation in the form of water withdrawals for industry and irrigation. Since no detailed environmental flow assessments have been conducted on any of the Kura basin streams, an interim approach is suggested based on minimum flow, referred to as “base environmental minimum”. The latter may be estimated from the unregulated parts of observed or simulated daily flow records. Environmental flow requirements for individual months of an individual year may be calculated using correction factors related to monthly rainfall. Simple relationships are suggested for base environmental flow estimation at ungauged sites, and the implications of river pollution for monthly environmental requirements are examined. Further, definition of environmentally critical periods in a stream is proposed based on a ratio of observed to “environmental” flow as an indicator of environmental stress. It is illustrated that the conjunctive use of several closely located streams for water supply may significantly reduce the duration of, or completely eliminate, environmentally critical periods. The idea of environmentally acceptable areal water withdrawal is formulated, so that the overall approach may be applied for environmentally sustainable water withdrawal management in other small streams.     

Developing methods for bioidentification of xenobiotics for water quality assessment

The role of bioassay in the pollution control system for water bodies is considered. Studies of the mechanisms of toxic impact of various chemical compounds on aquatic organisms were used to develop a bioindication method to give an integral estimate of water toxicity and determine some classes of chemical pollutants. The results of application of such methods to assessing water quality in Lake Ladoga are given.     

Potential Changes in Aquatic Biota in the Period of Global Climate Warming

The results of investigations of water bodies subjected to constant many-year thermal pollution are proposed to use for the prediction of the consequences of climate warming. General tendencies in changes in the aquatic biota and the distribution of aquatic organisms under the effect of thermal pollution are established by analyzing the materials collected at different cooling ponds of nuclear and thermal power stations.     

Bioindication role of higher plants in the diagnostics of aquatic ecosystems: Case study of small water bodies in St. Petersburg

The bioindication role of macropytes in the assessment of the environmental conditions of small water bodies under the conditions of a megalopolis is discussed. A comparative characteristic is given to the significance of macrophytes from different ecological groups, including hygrophytes (cattail, reed), hydrophyte (pondweed), and hydatophytes (Canada water weed, hornweed), growing in small water bodies in St. Petersburg, for the biogeochemical indication of environmental pollution by microelements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd) and biogenic elements (K, Ca, Na, P, S). Possible mechanisms of detoxication of heavy metal ions in macrophyte organisms and their role in the stable functioning of water bodies in urban territory under the conditions of anthropogenic pollution are discussed. The prospects of the use of macrophyte groups for the bioindication of pollution and phytoremediation of aquatic ecosystems are analyzed.     

Some Problems of Reducing the Pollution of Water Bodies from Diffuse Sources

Water Resources - The role of diffuse pollution of water bodies in the formation of water quality in them is characterized. Some features of diffuse pollution, which are of importance for managing...     

Assessment of groundwater resources of Quaternary aquifer system in concordance with avoidable negative impact on geoenvironment,south-eastern part of Lithuania

This paper focuses upon south-eastern Lithuanian Quaternary aquifer system groundwater resources formation modelling. Groundwater model calibration has been performed for a pre-development and transient flow conditions. The results demonstrate that there is an intense interaction between groundwater and surface water bodies which form groundwater resources and runoff. For Quaternary cover the majority of unconfined groundwater outflows to surface water streams, the remaining part discharges through the confined interglacial/interstadial aquifers and lateral outflows across the boundaries. Groundwater prognostic exploitable resources can be obtained without a significant negative impact on the geoenvironment. The main sources of exploitable resources formation are increase in groundwater recharge and lateral inflow (40.7%), decreased outflow via streams and lateral boundaries (41.2%) and drawing up additional flow from the hydraulically connected streams (14.5%).     

Geochemical classification of surface waters in humid zone based on their acid-base equilibrium

A classification of surface waters of humid zone by its humus content, alkalinity, and trophic status has been developed basing on the acid-base equilibrium of those waters, governed by two systems: humus and carbonate, which enabled the geochemical classes of water to be established more objectively than by expert systems. An integrated estimate of natural water quality is given with the use of quality points by individual characteristics. For water bodies subject to anthropogenic impact, the degree of their pollution is given in accordance with water pollution index, which is calculated by the main standardized components, taking into account their geochemical background level and the values of MAC for water bodies used for fishery.     

Analysis of the effect of megalopolises on water quality in surface water bodies by ecological-toxicological characteristics

Data of long-term observations of Roshydromet and the studies of the authors’ studies of hydrochemical, hydrobiological, and bioassaying characteristics and appropriate publications in the areas of megalopolises—the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Novosibirsk are analyzed. Similar and distinctive characteristics of water quality by these ecological-toxicological characteristics are identified; trends in the long-term year-to-year variations in water quality are established, criteria and characteristics reflecting the effect of cities on water bodies in their territory are determined. The identity of some chemical-toxicological criteria and the characteristics of the influence of cities in southern Russia and Siberia on water bodies suggest that they can also be used in urban area in other regions. The Lower Don is used as an example to show that water pollution by metals is mostly due to wastewater discharge, while water pollution by petroleum products and sulfates has no direct relation to that.     

Source characterization and spatio–temporal evolution of the metal pollution in the sediments of the Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay)

According to Water Framework Directive requirements, Member States must identify and analyze effects derived from human pressures in aquatic systems. As different kind of pressures can impact water bodies at different scales, analyses of spatio-temporal evolution of water bodies becomes essential in order to understand ecosystem responses. In this investigation, an analysis of spatio-temporal evolution of sedimentary metal pollution (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) in 12 Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay) is presented. Data collected in extensive sampling surveys is the basis for the GIS-based statistical approach used. The implementation of pollution abatement measures is reflected in a long-term decontamination process, mostly evident in estuaries with highest historical sediment pollution levels. Spatial evolution is determined by either naturally occurring or human driven processes. Such spatial processes are more obviously being reflected in estuaries with lower historical sediment pollution levels.     

Use of Structural Characteristics of Bacterio- and Zoobenthos for Assessing the Quality of Bottom Deposits: Case Study of Water Bodies in the Upper Volga Basin

Analysis is given of the modern approaches and methods used to assess the quality of bottom deposits based on the conditions of bacterio- and zoobenthos communities. The structural characteristics of bacterio- and zoobenthos communities of small rivers in the Upper Volga basin are studied. The type of substrate is shown to have appreciable effect on the quantitative characteristics of both the communities. The analysis of these data is used to create a generalized classification of the quality of bottom deposits and assess the extent of their pollution in the examined water bodies.     

The Problem of Reducing the Diffuse Pollution of Water Bodies and Improving the Efficiency of Water Protection Programs

Water Resources - Regularities in the formation of diffuse pollution of water bodies are discussed as their understanding is required for the development of an adequate water-protection strategy....     

洞庭湖湖区水质时空演化(1983-2004年)

根据洞庭湖湖区的1983-2004年的水质监测数据,参照GB3838-2002中Ⅲ类水质标准,运用内梅罗水污染指数法进行水质评价,分析了洞庭湖湖区22年来的水质时空变化.结果表明:洞庭湖湖区水质污染在时间上呈有升有降的波动变化.洞庭湖湖区丰水期和洪水期的水质较差,但是从2002年以后,丰水期的水质逐渐好于平水期.污染空间变化表现为入湖河道的污染程度高于湖体,湖体污染呈西洞庭湖的污染较为严重,南洞庭湖其次,东洞庭湖的水质仍较好的格局.     

Possibility for hydroenergetic utilization of relatively researched water streams

Small mountain water streams are lately more interesting from the aspect of hydroenergetic exploitation. Catchments area of smaller rivers and creeks are mostly not enough researched from hydroenergetic aspect, so the most difficult task for small hydropower plant designers is to determine hydroenergetic potential of discussed water streams, from short period of hydrological observations. Very often happens that existing measurement stations on discussed water streams are placed few kilometers from potentially place of water intake and the value of flow is drastically different on these two locations. In this work, two methods for determination of hydrological picture for the chosen location of water intake on discussed river are shown, correlation method and analogy method. Using these methods it is possible to use data that describes measured values of discharge from the old measurement stations, that is exists on the same or adjacent river, to determine flow duration curve on the place of interests. Results given from these two methods are compared with measured values of discharge and precipitation from last period that are collected from location of planed intake. Based on the good agreement of theoretical and measured values, it was concluded that these two methods can be also applied to the adjacent basins. Suggestion of hydroenergetic utilization of discussed water stream and its economic justification is also presented in this work.     

Diffuse Pollution of Water Bodies and Estimation of Export of Biogenic Elements under Different Scenarios of Water Use in the Watershed

Water Resources - The notion of diffuse pollution process in water bodies of different dimensions is formulated. An algorithm is given for calculating the average annual volume of the export of...