Probabilistic Regularities in Unfavorable Hydrochemical Phenomena

The balance equation for a substance washed out in a river basin is analyzed under the assumption that the runoff of this substance and its reserves in the watershed are directly proportional. The proportionality factor is perturbed by a random component, which accounts for the effect of atmospheric precipitation. The balance equation is transformed into a stochastic differential equation with a multiplicative white noise, which is used to construct a Fokker-Plank equation for the probability density of chemical flow. A stationary solution containing a power function is found for this equation. Because of the proportionality of the concentration and chemical flow, the concentration distribution also obeys the power law. Statistical treatment of empirical data on some water quality characteristics and water flow showed that the power law adequately describes the probability of unfavorable hydrochemical events. The parameters of this law for turbidity, color index, permanganate oxidability, and ammonia concentration are evaluated.__________Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 4, 2005, pp. 452–458.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Dolgonosov, Korchagin.     

Habitat suitability of the invasive water hyacinth and its relation to water quality and macroinvertebrate diversity in a tropical reservoir

In this study, we assessed the relationship between the occurrence of the invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water quality properties as well as macroinvertebrate diversity in a tropical reservoir, situated in western Ecuador. Macroinvertebrates and physico-chemical water quality variables were sampled at 32 locations (during the dry season of 2013) in both sites covered and non-covered by water hyacinth in the Daule-Peripa reservoir. The results indicated that, in terms of water quality, only turbidity was significantly different between sampling sites with and without water hyacinth (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.01). The habitat suitability model showed that water hyacinth was present at sites with a low turbidity. The percentage water hyacinth cover increased with decreasing turbidity. The Biological Monitoring Working Party-Colombia score and the Margalef diversity index were significantly higher (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.01) at sampling sites where water hyacinth was present compared to water hyacinth absent sites. However, there were no significant differences in the Shannon–Wiener index, Evenness index and Simpson index between the sampling sites with and without water hyacinth. Our results suggest that water hyacinth cover was an important variable affecting the diversity of macroinvertebrates in the Daule-Peripa reservoir, with intermediate levels of water hyacinth cover having a positive effect on the diversity of macroinvertebrates. Information on the habitat suitability of water hyacinth and its effect on the physico-chemical water quality and the macroinvertebrate community are essential to develop conservation and management programs for large tropical reservoirs such as the Daule-Peripa reservoir and the Guayas river basin, where water resources are being at high risk due to expansion of agricultural and industrial development activities.     

Rapid shoreline flooding enhances water turbidity by sediment resuspension: An example in a large Tibetan lake

Rapid water level rise due to climate change has the potential to remobilize loose sediments along shorelines and increase the turbidity of nearshore waters, thereby impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. Siling Lake is one of the largest and most rapidly expanding lakes on the Tibetan Plateau. Between 2000 and 2017, this lake experienced an increase in water level of about 8 m and a doubling in water turbidity. Here, using this lake as a study site, we used a wave model and high-resolution remote sensing of turbidity (Landsat-8) to assess the potential connection between water-level rise, enhanced wind-driven sediment resuspension and water turbidity. Our analysis revealed that strong bottom shear stresses triggered by wind-generated waves over newly flooded areas were related to an increase in water turbidity. The spatial variability of Siling Lake turbidity showed a strong dependence on local wind characteristics and fetch. Two factors combined to drive the increase in turbidity: (1) high wave energy leading to high bottom shear stresses, and (2) flooding of unvegetated shallow areas. Using a new relationship between wave energy and turbidity developed here, we expect the increase in turbidity of Siling Lake to taper off in the near future due to the steep landscape surrounding the lake that will prevent further flooding. Our results imply that rising water levels along the coast are not only expected to influence terrestrial ecosystems but could also change water quality. The methodology presented herein could be applied to other shorelines affected by a rapid increase in water level. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal variations of the distribution of river water quality

The probability distributions of different values of water quality indices have been shown theoretically to follow a two-parameter lognormal law with season-dependent parameters. The obtained distribution law was checked against data of many-year water quality monitoring in the Moskva R. (at Rublevo Settl.). The distributions of several hydrochemical and microbiological indices have been studied. The seasonal dependence of parameters have been shown to cause the splitting of water quality index distributions predominantly into two lognormal branches, one corresponding to low-water seasons and the other corresponding to floods. Exceptions are water turbidity and color index: the former splits into three lognormal branches (corresponding to periods of winter low-water period, summer period with moderate rains, floods, and high rain floods), while the color index has only one branch, embracing all seasons.     

A technique for evaluating flow parameters in water bodies with a highly heterogeneous depth

A method is proposed for calculating the hydrodynamic parameters of flows in water bodies with shallow and deep zones. Calculation of flow parameters in the Sea of Azov is given as an example.Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 1, 2005, pp. 55–60.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Chikin.     

Isotopes,Microbes, and Turbidity: A Multi-Tracer Approach to Understanding Recharge Dynamics and Groundwater Contamination in a Basaltic Island Aquifer

Wells designated as groundwater under the direct influence (GUDI) of surface water have caused an ongoing boil-water advisory afflicting the island of Tutuila, American Samoa for almost a decade. Regulatory testing at these wells found turbidity and indicator bacteria spikes correlated with heavy rainfall events. However, the mechanism of this contamination has, until now, remained unknown. Surface water may reach wells through improperly sealed well casings, or through the aquifer matrix itself. In this study, three independent surface water tracers, turbidity, indicator bacteria, and water isotopes were used to assess recharge timing and determine contamination mechanisms. Results from each method were reasonably consistent, revealing average GUDI well breakthrough times of 37 ± 21 h for turbidity, 18 to 63 h for bacteria, and 1 to 5 days for water isotopes. These times match well with estimated subsurface flow rates through highly permeable aquifer materials. In contrast, where one well casing was found to be compromised, turbidity breakthrough was observed at 3 to 4 h. These results support local management decisions and show repairing or replacing wells will likely result in continued GUDI contamination. Additionally, differences in observed rainfall response for each tracer provide insight into the recharge dynamics and subsurface flow characteristics of this and other highly conductive young-basaltic aquifers.     

On the feedback between water turbidity and microphytobenthos growth in shallow tidal environments

Shallow tidal environments (e.g. bays, estuaries, lagoons) represent one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, and they are threatened by current climate change and increasing human pressure. Monitoring the bio-morphodynamic evolution of these environments is therefore a crucial task that requires a detailed and holistic scrutiny. The present study aims to investigate the temperature of the water–sediment continuum, its effect on the related microphytobenthos (MPB) growth and the related bio-stabilization of the bed sediment surface under different water depth and water turbidity conditions. We investigated the vertical energy transfer and the temperature dynamics by applying a 1-D model to a shallow coastal lagoon. Our results show that the water temperature does not substantially change under different turbidity conditions, whereas the sediment temperature exhibits important changes. Two major factors driving the MPB photosynthetic growth are the sediment surface temperature and the light availability at the sediment bed, which can both be computed using the vertical energy transfer model. We observed that, in general, clear water conditions better promote MPB growth over the entire year. The limiting factor for the photosynthetic process is usually the light availability at the bottom, which increases under clear water conditions. As MPB provides a bio-stabilizing effect on the bed sediments by producing a biofilm on the sediment surface that reduces sediment resuspension, our results suggest a positive feedback between MPB growth and water column turbidity. Furthermore, MPB growth and the related sediment bio-stabilization are clearly affected by the seasonal variation of surface sediment temperature and light availability. This seasonal variation of MPB growth rate and surface sediment bio-stabilization must be considered when studying the long-term morphodynamic evolution of tidal environments. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Towards environmental management of water turbidity within open coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef

Water turbidity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) are commonly used as part of marine monitoring and water quality plans. Current management plans utilise threshold SSC values derived from mean-annual turbidity concentrations. Little published work documents typical ranges of turbidity for reefs within open coastal waters. Here, time-series turbidity measurements from 61 sites in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Moreton Bay, Australia, are presented as turbidity exceedance curves and derivatives. This contributes to the understanding of turbidity and SSC in the context of environmental management in open-coastal reef environments. Exceedance results indicate strong spatial and temporal variability in water turbidity across inter/intraregional scales. The highest turbidity across 61 sites, at 50% exceedance (T₅₀) is 15.3 NTU and at 90% exceedance (T₉₀) 4.1 NTU. Mean/median turbidity comparisons show strong differences between the two, consistent with a strongly skewed turbidity regime. Results may contribute towards promoting refinement of water quality management protocols.     

Deriving depths of deep chlorophyll maximum and water inherent optical properties: A regional model

The Bohai Sea is a semi-enclosed inland sea with case-2 waters near the coast. A comprehensive set of optical data was collected during three cruises in June, August, and September 2005 in the Bohai Sea. The vertical profile measurements, such as chlorophyll concentration, water turbidity, downwelling irradiance, and diffuse attenuation coefficient, showed that the Bohai Sea was vertically stratified with a relative clear upper layer superimposed on a turbid lower layer. The upper layer was found to correspond to the euphotic zone and the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) occurs at the base of this layer. By tuning a semi-analytical model (24 and 25) for the Bohai Sea, we developed a method to derive water inherent optical properties and the depth of DCM from above-surface measurements. Assuming a ‘fake’ bottom in the stratified water, this new method retrieves the ‘fake’ bottom depth, which is highly correlated with the DCM depth. The average relative error between derived and measured values is 33.9% for phytoplankton absorption at 440 nm, 25.6% for colored detrital matter (detritus plus gelbstoff) absorption at 440 nm, and 24.2% for the DCM depth. This modified method can retrieve water inherent optical properties and monitor the depth of DCM in the Bohai Sea, and the method is also applicable to other stratified waters.     

Comparative assessment of water treatment using polymeric and inorganic coagulants

Portable water plays a vital role in improving human life, particularly in controlling the spread of diseases. However, problems associated with lack of potable water are still common especially in developing countries including Malawi. Until now little information exists on the effectiveness of available commercial coagulants used by national water boards in Malawi. Therefore, this study was undertaken in Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) to investigate the efficiency of polymeric coagulants (sufdfloc 3850 and algaefloc 19s) in turbidity reduction comparative with inorganic coagulant (aluminium sulphate) at Zomba, Liwonde, Mangochi, Chikwawa and Mulanje Treatment plants. The jar test method was used to determine the effectiveness of the water coagulants. The results revealed that sudfloc 3850 was most effective in reducing turbidity at Mangochi (99.4 ± 0.06%) and Liwonde (97.2 ± 0.04%) using 0.4 mg L⁻¹ flocculant dose. The Zomba, Mulanje and Chikwawa plants gave 19.56 ± 0.03%, 29.23 ± 0.02% and 9.43 ± 0.02% total reductions respectively. Algaefloc 19s afforded the highest turbidity reduction at Liwonde and Mangochi plants (98.66 ± 0.06 and 97.48 ± 0.05% at a dose of 0.4 and 0.6 mg L⁻¹ respectively), while Chikwawa provided the lowest (9.52 ± 0.01%). At the Zomba and Mulanje plants 20.5 ± 0.03% and 28.4 ± 0.04% reductions were obtained respectively. The inorganic flocculant, alum provided a 99.0 ± 0.05% and 98.6 ± 0.04% reduction at a dose of 4.0 mg L⁻¹ and 6.0 mg L⁻¹ at Zomba and Liwonde plants respectively. The lowest reductions in turbidity were achieved at Chikwawa (7.50 ± 0.01%), Mangochi (12.97 ± 0.02%) and Mulanje (25.00 ± 0.02). The best and optimum pH ranges for polymeric and inorganic coagulants were 7.20–7.80 and 7.35 to 7.57 respectively. The results further revealed that sudfloc 3850 and algaefloc 19s achieved faster formation of heavy flocs than alum. At 0.4 mg L⁻¹ flocculant dosage sudfloc 3850 and algaefloc 19s required ten times lower dosages than alum. Therefore, the polymeric coagulants could be used instead of alum, the choice dependant on the type of water.     

Distribution of water quality parameters in two cross‐sections of the river Elbe measured with high local,temporal, and analytic resolution

The river Elbe is a large eutrophic lowland river with high primary production and high phytoplankton biomass in the growing season. The objective of the study was to gain basic knowledge of the role of dead zones for phytoplankton distribution and the oxygen balance of the river Elbe. At two sampling stations water temperature, oxygen concentration, conductivity, pH value, turbidity, and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured with high precision to learn about the distribution of these parameters across the cross‐sections. The structures indicate differences in the intensity of physical and biological processes between the shallow waters near the shores, which are characterized by groyne fields, and the deep bulk flow. The conductivity clearly shows the high transverse mixing intensity in the groyne fields in contrast to the bulk flow. Groyne fields and the first, the groyne head near margin lamella of the bulk flow can be regarded as a unit. Groyne field results indicate higher primary production of phytoplankton, oxygen release, and higher pH. The turbidity of water entering the groyne fields decreases rapidly because of sedimentation within a short time. The groyne head lamella of the bulk flow sometimes shows higher chlorophyll fluorescence than the central lamella of the bulk flow and the water of the groyne field. The processes which contribute to the observed distribution are discussed, but could not yet be quantified. A modification of the dead zone model is proposed.     

Surge variations in water level in the Danube mouth

The regularities of surge-induced water level variations in the Danube mouth are considered. The recurrence of level rises and drops in the near-shore mouth zone is evaluated. The regularities of the propagation of surge-induced level variations into the delta and over the near-delta reach of the Danube are established. The magnitude of positive and negative surges in the delta and the extent of their propagation are shown to depend on the surge phenomena in the offshore zone and the Danube water discharge.Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 1, 2005, pp. 35–47.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Isupova, Mikhailov, Morozov.     

Potentials and limitations of modelling vertical distributions of root water uptake of an Austrian pine forest on a sandy soil

Root water uptake patterns are often studied with simulation models of the unsaturated soil water flow, as they are difficult to measure directly. Calibration of these models is not straightforward and causes uncertainties in simulated uptake distributions. In this paper we study how uncertainties in the calibration of the SWIF model affect uncertainty intervals in simulated uptake patterns of an Austrian pine stand (Pinus nigra var. nigra) on a sandy soil. After calibrating and validating SWIF with a large data set of more than 125 000 measured soil water contents over a three year period, uncertainty ranges in simulated soil water dynamics and root water uptake distributions were estimated with a Monte Carlo analysis. In general, uncertainties in root uptake patterns were small (typically <2 10⁻⁴ m³ m⁻³ day⁻¹) and were higher for trees with a shallow rooting system (0·8 m) than for trees with a deep rooting system (2·5 m). Uncertainties arose mainly from uncertainties in simulated soil water fluxes and from variations in the reduction of uptake during periods of drought. Uncertainties in soil water contents were far higher (typically 0·01 m³ m⁻³) than uncertainties in uptake, illustrating that uncertainties in uptake parameters and those in the distribution of water uptake hardly affect the modelling of soil water dynamics. Root water uptake models should therefore be validated against measured uptake distributions, which can be determined on sandy soils during dry periods with a high water use when soil fluxes are negligible to uptake. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of turbidometry to characterize suspended sediment and phosphorus fluxes in the Lake Tahoe basin,California, USA

The efficacy of in‐stream nephelometric turbidometry as a surrogate for total suspended solids (TSS) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations was evaluated for use in low turbidity (<50 NTU) subalpine watersheds at Lake Tahoe, California–Nevada, USA. Continuous turbidity records for the 1999, 2000 and 2001 snowmelt seasons and data from water quality samples (1982–2000) were examined to determine watershed sediment delivery dynamics. Strong correlations were found between turbidity and both TSS and TP concentration. The strong correlation indicates that turbidity can serve as a good surrogate for direct measurement in these watersheds. The watersheds displayed clockwise hysteresis: sediment flushing and depletion, on daily, seasonal and decadal time‐scales. The hysteresis curves had strong concave shapes, indicating a sensitive response to peak flow. A pronounced seasonal trend was observed for the ratio of suspended sediment concentration (SSC)/discharge over time, indicating early season flushing of available sediment. Significant linear relationships (p < 0·05) were found for 12 of 17 years. Comparison of annual sediment rating curve coefficients indicated smaller coefficients during high sediment loading years and in the years following. The smaller coefficients are evidence of sediment depletion during high flow years. The effect of hysteresis on monitoring methods was illustrated by comparing turbidity estimates of TSS load with sediment rating curve estimates of SSC. After accounting for differences in SSC/TSS methods of analysis, daily loads calculated with turbidity methods were 58–98% of rating curve estimates for the spring snowmelt seasons of 1999–2001. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comprehensive evaluation of continental surface water quality

Two main groups of methods used for comprehensive evaluation of continental surface water quality are analyzed. A new method of comprehensive evaluation of the degree of continental surface water contamination, developed by the authors of this paper based on a combination of the differentiated and comprehensive approaches, is described in detail.Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 1, 2005, pp. 61–69.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Nikanorov, Yemelyanova.     

Monitoring over‐winter soil water dynamics in a freezing and snow‐covered environment using a thermally insulated tensiometer

Water potential below a frozen soil layer was continuously monitored over an entire winter period (using thermally insulated tensiometers sheltered in a heated chamber) along with other soil, snow and atmospheric variables. In early winter, the freezing front advanced under a thin snow cover, inducing upward soil water flow in the underlying unfrozen soil. The freezing front started to retreat when the snow cover became thick enough to insulate the soil, resulting in the reversal of the flow direction in the unfrozen zone. These data provide a clear illustration of soil water dynamics, which have rarely been monitored with a tensiometer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterizing heterogeneous soil water flow and solute transport using information measures

Heterogeneous water flow and solute transport in soils are an important phenomenon and difficult to be characterized. The objectives of this study were to investigate the heterogeneity of solute transport related to heterogeneous soil water flow using dye infiltration experiments, and to characterize heterogeneous water flow and solute transport in soils using the information theory. Field experiments of dye infiltration were performed in four plots. Various information measures were applied to characterize information content and complexity of water flow and solute transport in soils. Information contents and complexities of the maximum and apparent infiltration depths, and the mean and standard deviation of concentrations in the vertical direction of the plots were calculated. More heterogeneous processes of soil water flow and transport result in higher information/complexity values. The probability distributions of mean concentration were similar to those of the corresponding apparent infiltration depths for the plots, indicating that heterogeneity of dye concentrations was closely related to that of soil water flow. However, the range of information entropy and complexity of the water flow sequences was much narrower than that of the sequences of the concentrations. The results suggested that the transport processes were more heterogeneous than the water flow processes. Compared with the probability distributions of flow parameters, the information measures appeared to be a more versatile tool to describe flow and transport heterogeneities in soils.     

Time series analysis of long‐term river dissolved organic carbon records

Two long records of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in river water were examined by a detailed time series analysis in order to shed light on the mechanisms generating observed increases in DOC concentrations across the UK. The records date back as far as 1962 and come from catchments 589 and 818 km² in area. The DOC records were compared with others taken simultaneously for flow, pH, alkalinity, air temperature and rainfall, and in one of the catchments also for turbidity and conductivity. All records were examined by the seasonal Kendall test; frequency distributions of daily DOC measurements were examined; annual cycles were calculated, Autoregressive and impulse functions were derived for DOC against flow records. The time series analysis shows that: (i) DOC trends cannot be readily explained by trends in flow, pH, alkalinity, turbidity or conductivity; (ii) there is a significant increase in carbon flux from these catchments; (iii) maximum and minimum components of the annual distribution of daily readings both show increases in DOC, implying that DOC flux is increasing for differing hydrological pathways; (iv) increases in DOC concentrations coincide with increases in temperature, though the biggest increases in temperature are in the winter months when such increases might be expected to have less effect on DOC production; (v) change in trend, and therefore flux, was observed to occur after a severe drought in 1976. The study suggests that there are real, significant increases in carbon loss from upland peat catchments and that climate is a major driver, especially a severe drought. Severe drought triggering changes in the DOC flux might be attributed to enzymic latch mechanisms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.