An analysis of River Derwent pollution and its impacts

As the major water catchment in Hobart city, the River Derwent provides water services to Hobart residents; however, water quality of the River Derwent is becoming unreliable. The aims of this paper are to identify the major water issues in the river and to reveal its impacts on Hobart residents and ecosystem. A methodology of secondary data analysis has been involved; which covers a wide range of existing dissertations. Through all the analysis of data, heavy metals, contaminated sediment and overload nitrogen can be regarded as three main causes of the water pollution. Moreover, the impacts of the water pollution are proved to be significant and perennial. On the basis of the analysis result, water pollution tends to be a tough issue that requires a great amount of time and efforts to deal with.     

Vision 2020: Towards an environmentally sound and sustainable development of freshwater resources in Malaysia

Malaysia has a climate of high humidity, high temperature and abundant rainfall. Rivers supply about 97% of the country's total water needs while ground water accounts for the rest. About 40% of the treated water is lost through man-caused leakages. With a population of 18.3 million people, the total annual domestic, industrial and irrigation water demand is about 11.6 x 106 MI. This figure is projected to rise to 15.2 x 106 MI by year 2000. At present, the total daily water demand is about 4,979 MI and the production capacity is 6,513 MI. Water use and misuse now strain the nation's fragile aquatic environment and natural ecosystems. Current water resource management priorities include water quality improvement, river rehabilitation to restore over-channalized or polluted rivers and development of the inland fisheries potential especially in large man-made reservoirs. A River Basin Information System has been developed to provide integrated information on catchment characteristics, landuse, population and socio-economic profile, river flow, pollution sources, water quality classification, and aquatic biota. Vision 2020 challenges call for a long-term perspective in inland water resource management. Critical post-audits of largescale development and strategic research aimed at alternative and interacting patterns of landwater use are urgently needed.     

Groundwater and surface-water interactions and impacts of human activities in the Hailiutu catchment,northwest China

The interactions between groundwater and surface water have been significantly affected by human activities in the semi-arid Hailiutu catchment, northwest China. Several methods were used to investigate the spatial and temporal interactions between groundwater and surface water. Isotopic and chemical analyses of water samples determined that groundwater discharges to the Hailiutu River, and mass balance equations were employed to estimate groundwater seepage rates along the river using chemical profiles. The hydrograph separation method was used to estimate temporal variations of groundwater discharges to the river. A numerical groundwater model was constructed to simulate groundwater discharges along the river and to analyze effects of water use in the catchment. The simulated seepage rates along the river compare reasonably well with the seepage estimates derived from a chemical profile in 2012. The impacts of human activities (river-water diversion and groundwater abstraction) on the river discharge were analyzed by calculating the differences between the simulated natural groundwater discharge and the measured river discharge. Water use associated with the Hailiutu River increased from 1986 to 1991, reached its highest level from 1992 to 2000, and decreased from 2001 onwards. The reduction of river discharge might have negative impacts on the riparian ecosystem and the water availability for downstream users. The interactions between groundwater and surface water as well as the consequences of human activities should be taken into account when implementing sustainable water resources management in the Hailiutu catchment.     

Distribution,characteristics, and research status of microplastics in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River: A review

Microplastic pollution has become an environmental issue of great concern owing to the persistence of microplastics and their potential adverse effects on biota.The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world,and the microplastics in this river will affect the health of a large population living along with it.To ensure the survival safety of people,it is essential to plan ahead and investigate in advance in order to understand the microplastic pollution in the river and work out countermeasures.This paper reviews the literature concerning the microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River basin and analyzes the abundance,shapes,colors,and composition of microplastics in the water bodies and sediments in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River.The results are as follows.Compared to other river basins in China and abroad,the microplastics in the Yangtze River basin have a moderate abundance and high spatial heterogeneity.Owing to the barrier effect of the Three Gorges Dam on microplastics,the abundance of microplastics in the Three Gorges Reservoir is generally an order of magnitude higher than that in other sections of the river.Most microplastics in the water bodies and sediments are less than 1 mm in size and are transparent and colorful.In terms of shapes,they are dominated by fibers,followed by fragments and films.In terms of composition,the microplastics in the source region of the Yangtze River are mainly composed of nylon and polyethylene,while the microplastics in the surface water from the lower reaches of the Jinsha River to the Yangtze River estuary are dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene.The microplastics are primarily derived from the secondary microplastics in the environment,and relatively intensive human activities increase the abundance of microplastics.These results serve as bases for understanding and preventing microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River.     

Multi-elemental composition of the Sava River sediments (Slovenia,EU)

The Sava River is the longest river in Slovenia and has been subjected to pollution in the past. Fine-grained channel sediments, which were deposited during the high-water event in July 2009, along the river course in Slovenia were sampled at 12 locations in order to determine the content of a large set of chemical elements and assess possible levels of pollution. Sediment samples were air-dried. Two grain size fractions (<0.063 and <0.125 mm) were prepared for chemical analyses by dry sieving. Elemental levels of each sample were determined after aqua regia extraction (1 h, 95 °C) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Elemental levels did not exceed the legislation action limit values, indicating that the Sava River recently deposited alluvial sediments are not contaminated with potentially toxic metals. The results show that the chemical composition of the Sava River sediments is comparable to the average composition of stream sediments within Europe. Some light impacts of anthropogenic activities and lithological-driven influential factors to the elemental composition of sediments were observed. Slight As enrichment is possibly a consequence of eroding of slag dumps and As-contaminated soil on Sava River banks and emissions from treated sewage waters. Lead (Pb) is increased in the Litija area as a consequence of historic mining and increased zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations after the Savinja River confluence because of historic smelting industry in its catchment area. Phosphorous levels in sediments are very likely driven by the emissions from farming and urbanisation. Increased Ba and Pb levels (but still being below the action value) are detected in sample downstream Kr?ko.     

Heavy metal distribution in sediments from Calabar River, southeastern Nigeria

The concentration and areal distribution of selected metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Fe, and Cr) in the sediments of the Calabar River were studied to determine the extent of anthropogenic input and to estimate the effects of dumping industrial waste materials into the river. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu indicate relatively moderate pollution mainly on the left-hand side of the river while Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, and Fe levels are below values found to have adverse effects on the lives of marine biota. High metal contents are found close to industrial establishments and so enhanced metal concentrations are related to industrial sewage and metal leaching from garbage and solid waste dumps.     

Trace element chemistry of major rivers in Orissa State, India

 Geochemical analyses of surface waters from rivers flowing through Orissa State, India, indicated that trace element concentrations were extremely variable and consistently higher than world river average. The Brahmani River was the most solute-rich river studied, followed by the Baitarani and Mahanadi Rivers. Although all three rivers drain similar geology, the Brahmani River catchment is heavily industrialized, and water samples collected upstream and downstream from industries indicated that anthropogenic activity directly influenced its chemical composition. Samples collected from several towns, in all three river systems, did not invariably show similar patterns, with various elements having higher dissolved concentrations upstream. Because the concentration of total solids increased downstream, this implied that some components of the sewage had effectively sequestered available elements from solution and converted them to particulate material. Although the impact of pollution is clearly recognizable in water samples collected in proximity to the anthropogenic source, there are only slight elemental accumulations in the lower reaches of the Mahanadi River, with no accumulation in the Brahmani River. Apparently for these large rivers, discharged effluent becomes rapidly diluted, while complexation and sedimentation further removes trace elements from the water column. However, in the less voluminous Baitarani River, elementar enrichment near the river's mouth suggests that in this secondary river, where dilution effects are less, the concerns over regional water quality may be more prevalent. Received: 1 April 1995 · Accepted: 30 August 1995     

我国河流湖泊污染的防治技术及发展趋势

我国河流湖泊污染现状为V类和劣V类水质占七大水系(辽河、海河、淮河、黄河、松花江、珠江、长江)主要断面的50%以上,高中营养化湖泊占被调查湖泊的85%以上,河流湖泊污染状况十分严峻.目前河流湖泊采取的污染防治技术措施主要有:削减截流污染源、完善城市排水系统和建设污水处理厂、河流低泥疏浚、河道曝气技术、生物修复技术、水生植被恢复工程、引清冲淡等等.生物生态技术将在河流湖泊污染防治及生态恢复中发挥重要的作用.     

Water quality changes in the Elbe River basin,Czech Republic,in the context of the post-socialist economic transition

This paper analyses the temporal dynamics and spatial trends in water quality changes in the Elbe River basin in the context of the post-socialist economic transition of the Czech Republic (Czechia). During the 1990s, the Czech portion of the Elbe River Basin underwent significant changes in the quality of surface waters. After a long period of massive discharges of pollution, which reached a peak at the end of the 1980s, a reduction in effluent from industrial and municipal sources led to a substantial decrease in the pollution of the Elbe River and its principal tributaries. The scope and speed of such water quality changes was unprecedented in Czechia as well as throughout Europe. The classification of the spatial distribution of water quality trends revealed that the majority of streams in the Czech Elbe River basin displayed improvement of surface water quality. However, the decrease in pollution levels was spatially concentrated mainly in the Elbe River and its main tributaries. Many of the peripheral streams are, on the contrary, experiencing deteriorating water quality, even in regions where water quality improved in the early 1990s because of a decline in local economic activity associated with political changes in the former Eastern Block countries. Further improvements in water quality are thus dependent on measures adopted across the entire river basin, including the numerous minor streams. The current economic revival in a number of regions where decreases in water pollution were not based on systematic pollution reduction measures, but only on the decline of industrial or agricultural production, may result in a return to deteriorating water quality, primarily in the outer regions of the catchment.     

Natural attenuation of geothermal arsenic from Yangbajain power plant discharge in the Zangbo River,Tibet, China

The Yangbajain geothermal field located in central Tibet is characterized by the highest measured reservoir temperature among all hydrothermal systems in China. The high-temperature geothermal fluid extracted from Yangbajain has been used for electricity generation for over 30 years. The geothermal wastewater generated by the Yangbajain power plants, with arsenic (As) concentrations up to 3.18 mg/L, drains directly into the Zangbo River, the major surface water at Yangbajain, which has elevated arsenic concentrations in the segments downstream of wastewater discharges. However, along the flow direction of the river, the arsenic concentration decreases sharply. Further inspection reveals that the concentrations of weakly bound arsenic, strongly adsorbed arsenic and total arsenic in riverbed sediment were affected by the drainage of geothermal wastewater, indicating that the sediment serves as a sink for geothermal arsenic. A logarithmic relationship between the integrated attenuation coefficients (IAC) for three river segments and the corresponding adsorption distribution coefficients of riverbed sediment samples also suggests that besides the dilution of geothermal arsenic in the Zangbo River, natural attenuation of arsenic may be caused by sorption to riverbed sediment, thereby reducing its health threat to local residents using the Zangbo River as a drinking water source.     

Geothermal spring causes arsenic contamination in river waters of the southern Tibetan Plateau,China

Large numbers of As-enriched geothermal springs are distributed at the southern Tibetan Plateau, and their influence on river water is still not clear. Lhasa River and its tributary, Duilong Qu located at downstream of the largest geothermal spring of the Tibetan Plateau, were selected for sampling during monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. Dissolved trace elements (B, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cs, Ba and U) were measured in river water samples by ICP-MS. The results show that due to contribution of geothermal spring, As levels of Duilong Qu (205.6 μg/L) and Lhasa River (12.7 μg/L) were higher during non-monsoon season than that of WHO guideline for drinking water (10 μg/L). Accordingly, As level of river water was lower during the monsoon season than that of the non-monsoon season due mainly to dilution process. Therefore, although Tibetan rivers are generally considered as free of contamination, geothermal springs cause As contamination of river water at some local regions and may harm the local residents. Further research is needed in other parts of the plateau to determine whether As level of groundwater of the related region is high.     

Chemical Dynamics and Evaluation of Biogeochemical Processes in Alpine River Kamniška Bistrica, North Slovenia

Biogeochemical processes were investigated in alpine river—Kamni?ka Bistrica River (North Slovenia), which represents an ideal natural laboratory for studying anthropogenic impacts in catchments with high weathering capacity. The Kamni?ka Bistrica River water chemistry is dominated by HCO₃ ^?, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ molar ratios indicate that calcite weathering is the major source of solutes to the river system. The Kamni?ka Bistrica River and its tributaries are oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite. pCO₂ concentrations were on average up to 25 times over atmospheric values. δ¹³C_DIC values ranged from ?12.7 to ?2.7 ‰, controlled by biogeochemical processes in the catchment and within the stream; carbonate dissolution is the most important biogeochemical process affecting carbon isotopes in the upstream portions of the catchment, while carbonate dissolution and organic matter degradation control carbon isotope signatures downstream. Contributions of DIC from various biogeochemical processes were determined using steady state equations for different sampling seasons at the mouth of the Kamni?ka Bistrica River; results indicate that: (1) 1.9–2.2 % of DIC came from exchange with atmospheric CO₂, (2) 0–27.5 % of DIC came from degradation of organic matter, (3) 25.4–41.5 % of DIC came from dissolution of carbonates and (4) 33–85 % of DIC came from tributaries. δ¹⁵N values of nitrate ranged from ?5.2 ‰ at the headwater spring to 9.8 ‰ in the lower reaches. Higher δ¹⁵N values in the lower reaches of the river suggest anthropogenic pollution from agricultural activity. Based on seasonal and longitudinal changes of chemical and isotopic indicators of carbon and nitrogen in Kamni?ka Bistrica River, it can be concluded that seasonal changes are observed (higher concentrations are detected at low discharge conditions) and it turns from pristine alpine river to anthropogenic influenced river in central flow.     

昆明市地下热水资源开发利用的对策研究

近十多年来，昆明市地下热水开采强度逐年增加，水位大幅下降，降落漏斗不断扩大，城区中心区范围内已开始出现越流污染，热废水污染，岩溶塌陷及地面沉降等环境地质问题，热水温度也在明显降低。结合区内地下热水的水文地质条件和开发利用中的环境效应问题，提出了防治对策和措施。     

GIS网络分析技术在河流水污染追踪中的应用

在分析河流水环境系统特征的基础上,探讨了GIS网络分析技术在河流水污染追踪中的应用方法。主要内容包括数字化河系网络模型的建立、河流水环境数据库的建立与集成、河流水污染追踪应用的方法与步骤,并以汉江流域河系为例,进行了原型研究。     

Assessing the environmental status and identifying the dominant pressures of a trans-boundary river catchment,to facilitate efficient management and mitigation practices

Implementing efficient water resources management plans at trans-boundary river catchments is a difficult task that requires strong international cooperation, intensive monitoring programs, and common understanding of the impacts imposed on water resources by human pressures. Evros River, which flows through Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, is an ecologically important water body, protected by international legislation but nevertheless it is susceptible to numerous significant pollution sources that may lead to the deterioration of its environmental status. In this study, a water monitoring program was applied, incorporating chemical and biological parameters to assess the environmental status in the Greek part of the river and identify the associated pollution pressures. For this purpose, seasonal water sampling occurred in 13 sites along the longitudinal course of the river and a series of parameters were recorded including nutrients, heavy metals, microbiological loads, macroinvertebrate, and fish assemblages and abundance. The results indicated that the water quality of Evros River illustrate substantial spatiotemporal fluctuations, which can be well related to specific human activities and associated pressures. Therefore, a trans-boundary monitoring program should be initiated that will provide continuous information for the development and revision of the catchment’s adaptive management plan in order to restrict pollution impacts and achieve a good ecological status as required by the Water Framework Directive 2000/60EC.     

Current impact of mining alkaline rocks on Save River water quality in Zimbabwe

Alkaline rocks (phosphate deposits in particular) of igneous origin are currently being mined in Zimbabwe. Exploitation of these deposits, which are associated with metals and non-metals, provides a potential for changing the river water quality in the surrounding areas by increasing metal and phosphates levels in the water, thereby endangering the beneficial use of the river. The aim and objectives of this paper are to enumerate the current impacts associated with mining alkaline rocks on Save River water quality in Zimbabwe using the Dorowa mine as a case study. Though there are several impacts associated with the mining of alkaline rocks, this paper deals only with impacts on water quality.A preliminary assessment of the water quality in the Save River downstream of the Dorowa phosphate mine showed an increase in conductivity, iron content, manganese content, nitrates and hardness when compared to those taken before mining activity began. However, there was no notable increase in phosphate and metals except for Fe and Mn. A plausible explanation for the low phosphate values in the water is that the phosphates are precipitating and settling as sediments. Phosphate is known to effectively remove metals from the surface water through the formation of metal–phosphate minerals. Thus, various pollutants may be adsorbed into sediments accumulated on the bottom of the river. These sediments may accumulate pollutants over long periods and act as new pollutant sources to the overlying water when phosphate desorbs from sediments due to changes in water conditions. Therefore, the sediments can act as a source of water pollution in the future.     

黑河干流浅层地下水与地表水相互转化的水化学特征

通过分析黑河干流地表水与地下水的水化学特征,识别沿黑河干流不同地带地下水与地表水的相互转化关系.研究结果表明:(1)在祁连山区,地下水与地表水的转化以地下水向河流排泄为主.(2)南部盆地,在山前戈壁带,出山河水入渗转化为地下水;溢出带地下水以泉的形式转化为地表水;进入细土平原后,汛期河水补给地下水,非汛期地下水补给河水;在农灌区引河水通过田间入渗补给地下水.(3)北部盆地,在金塔灌区,地下水主要接受引水灌溉入渗补给;在金塔灌区到额济纳旗,河流入渗转化为地下水.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water flow and sediment load in Narmada River Basin, India: natural and man-made factors

The Narmada River flows through the Deccan volcanics and transports water and sediments to the adjacent Arabian Sea. In a first-ever attempt, spatial and temporal (annual, seasonal, monthly and daily) variations in water discharge and sediment loads of Narmada River and its tributaries and the probable causes for these variations are discussed. The study has been carried out with data from twenty-two years of daily water discharge at nineteen locations and sediment concentrations data at fourteen locations in the entire Narmada River Basin. Water flow in the river is a major factor influencing sediment loads in the river. The monsoon season, which accounts for 85 to 95% of total annual rainfall in the basin, is the main source of water flow in the river. Almost 85 to 98% of annual sediment loads in the river are transported during the monsoon season (June to November). The average annual sediment flux to the Arabian Sea at Garudeshwar (farthest downstream location) is 34.29×10⁶ t year⁻¹ with a water discharge of 23.57 km³ year⁻¹. These numbers are the latest and revised estimates for Narmada River. Water flow in the river is influenced by rainfall, catchment area and groundwater inputs, whereas rainfall intensity, geology/soil characteristics of the catchment area and presence of reservoirs/dams play a major role in sediment discharge. The largest dam in the basin, namely Sardar Sarovar Dam, traps almost 60–80% of sediments carried by the river before it reaches the Arabian Sea.     

河流对矿山及矿山开发的水环境地球化学响应——以广西刁江水系为例

矿产资源以其不可再生性和开发利用过程中环境问题的严重性而备受世人关注。广西刁江流域的源头地带是著名的大厂矿区,较典型地反映了矿山资源开发与环境保护之间的对立关系。重点解剖刁江流域矿山及矿山开发的环境响应,探讨水环境响应。结果表明,刁江流域对上游的矿山开发存在着显著的环境响应现象,在距矿区200km以外的下游地带仍然可以观察到这种响应;刁江河水被严重污染,河床上沉积了大量尾砂。严重的水环境污染破坏了河流水生生态系统,曾造成刁江中上游河段鱼虾绝迹。河床上的尾砂沉积范围广、厚度大,重金属As、Pb、Zn、Cd含量非常高,除直接危害了水环境质量外,还造成河道泄洪能力下降和洪水淹没范围的扩大,构成对沿江土壤环境和生态环境的严重威胁。     

渤海海退典型区——吴桥县污水灌溉对土壤污染调查

近20年来进入沧州区域内的地表废污水逐渐增多,为解决农业灌溉问题,沿河大量使用污水灌溉,对地下水和土壤产生污染。对渤海海退和古黄河冲积沉积形成的吴桥县土壤污染情况进行典型监测,评价污水灌溉对类似区域土壤影响,提出防治地下水和土壤污染的措施和建议。