scholarly journals Addressing water quality in water footprinting: current status, methods and limitations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Mikosch ◽  
Markus Berger ◽  
Matthias Finkbeiner
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Textile Processing ◽  
Water Footprinting

Abstract Purpose In contrast to water consumption, water pollution has gained less attention in water footprinting so far. Unlike water scarcity impact assessment, on which a consensus has recently been achieved, there is no agreement on how to address water quality deterioration in water footprinting. This paper provides an overview of existing water footprint methods to calculate impacts associated with water pollution and discusses their strengths and limitations using an illustrative example. Methods The methods are described and applied to a case study for the wastewater generated in textile processing. The results for two scenarios with different water quality parameters are evaluated against each other and the water scarcity footprint (WSF). Finally, methodological aspects, strengths and limitations of each method are analysed and discussed and recommendations for the methods application are provided. Results and discussion Two general impact assessment approaches exist to address water quality in water footprinting: the Water Degradation Footprint (WDF) calculates the impacts associated with the propagation of released pollutants in the environment and their uptake by the population and ecosystem, while the Water Availability Footprint (WAF) quantifies the impacts related to the water deprivation, when polluted water cannot be used. Overall, seven methods to consider water quality in water footprinting were identified, which rely upon one or a combination of WDF, WAF and WSF. Methodological scopes significantly vary regarding the inventory requirements and provided results (a single-score or several impact categories). The case study demonstrated that the methods provide conflicting results concerning which scenario is less harmful with regard to the water pollution. Conclusions This paper provides a review of the water pollution assessment methods in water footprinting and analyses their modelling choices and resulting effects on the WF. With regard to the identified inconsistencies, we reveal the urgent need for a guidance for the methods application to provide robust results and allow a consistent evaluation of the water quality in water footprinting.

scholarly journals Study Concerning the Quality Indices of Flowing Waters. A Case Study: Iara River

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-454
Author(s):  
Antonia ODAGIU ◽  
Ioan OROIAN ◽  
Ilie COVRIG ◽  
Tania MIHÄ‚IESCU
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Mountain River ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
The University ◽  
Flowing Waters

The water pollution is first of all a consequence of the lack of prevention and also inertia of public interest initiatives, often being claimed technical and economical difficulties. The aim of this paper is to present the results of monitoring the water quality from a mountain river. The analysis was carried on within the Laboratory of the Monitoring of Environmental Quality from the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj - Napoca, during April - June 2013. Temperature recorded values between 16 -210C pH,  6.5 - 6.9, conductivity 70.2 µS/cm - 72,8 µS/cm, turbidity 0.05 - 0,16 NTU, dissolved oxygen 10.01 -9.10 mg/L. All monitored parameters that are the basis of identification of the water quality indices, during monitored time interval, April 1st - June 26th 2013 framed within normal admitted limits, which demonstrate the lack of pollution of this river segment.

scholarly journals Impact of Kapotaksha river water pollution on human health and environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
MA Hanif ◽  
R Miah ◽  
MA Islam ◽  
S Marzia
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
River Water ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Sewage System ◽  
The People ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
River Water Pollution

This study was conducted to evaluate the Kapotaksha River water pollution status and its impacts on Human health and Environment. This study conducted a case study on four selected areas (Barakpur, Srirampur, Prbazar, and Gouranandapur) on the Kapotaksha river bank at Jhikargas Upazila. This river water pollution occurs by some natural process such as flood, storm, and natural biodegraded. But human activities are major reasons for the river water pollution. Industrialization, urbanization, domestic waste, sewage system, agrochemicals, etc are major causes for river water pollution. This more polluted water has an impact on human health and environment. This study was conducted to find out the polluted water due to various types of diseases such as scabies, asthma, dysentery and respiratory disease. Most of the people (49%) are affected by Scabies, 4% are affected by diarrhea, 5% are affected by dysentery, 25% of people are suffering from respiratory diseases and 4% are suffering from asthma and the polluted water pollutes soil by using the water in agriculture purpose answered by 20% respondents which is 100% of farmer respondents. If someone does not use this water can not affect soil answered by 80% of respondents. This river water becomes more polluted and harmful for human health and environment because this water hampered by the local colony, local trader, lack of proper management of sewage system, miss-use on the riverbank area for the dumping various solid waste on the river bank, chemical fertilizers, industries etc. At present now we cannot fulfill control this continuous river water pollution but we can minimize this problem and it would be positive for human health, others living organisms and Environment. Progressive Agriculture 31 (1): 1-9, 2020

scholarly journals Modern ecological condition of surface waters of Trubizh river

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Yezlovetska ◽  
◽  
M. Ladyka ◽  
A. Doroshenko ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Ecological Condition ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Ecological Index ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
The Village

The problem of environmental safety of water bodies is relevant today, especially for the basins of small and medium-sized rivers, which are clear indicators of the environment state. One of them is the Trubizh River. The water resources of this river are formed under the anthropogenically changed conditions of the drainage and humidification complex of the Trubizh reclamation system. These resources are also receivers of effluents from point and diffuse sources. Thus, there is a need for constant monitoring of the ecological condition of the river. The water quality of it is a consequence of anthropogenic activities in the watershed. The aim of the work is a comprehensive assessment of the Trubizh River ecological condition under the modern conditions of water quality formation. The analysis has been conducted using official data from the state monitoring of water quality for 2015-2019 years and our own research for 2015-2016 years. 7 observation points have been considered from souse to mouth of the river: border areas of Brovary and Baryshivka; Baryshivka – 1 km above and 0.9 km below the village, Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky – 0.5 km above and 1 km below the town, the mouth of the Alta and Trubizh rivers). We used such methods as analytical (determination of water quality indicators according to generally accepted standardized methods); analysis, systematization and generalization of the monitoring database; method of calculation of integrated block indices and complex ecological index of water quality (IE). It is established that during the five-year period (2015-2019) according to the weighted average and the worst values of the complex ecological index (IEworst 4.2) the waters are characterized as "satisfactory", "slightly polluted" of the III class quality 4 category. In 2018 and 2019 years, there was a deterioration in water quality by one category (III quality class 5 category) - "mediocre", "moderately polluted" water. This is due to a set of conditions of natural and climatic (insufficient rainfall and rising air temperature) and anthropogenic nature (water pollution, unauthorized surface water abstraction, runoff obstruction, etc.). It is noted that Trubizh river is characterized by stable uniform spatial water pollution. The largest values of IE are recorded in the area of influence of the village Baryshivka (IE worst 3.7-3.8) and Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi in the sampling points: the Alta river mouth (IEworst 4.0) and the Trubizh river mouth (IEworst 3.7). The water quality in these sampling points corresponded to class III of category 4 and was generally characterized as "satisfactory", "polluted". In general, the deterioration of water quality is caused by organic pollution (according to the indicator of dichromate oxidation (IV class, 6 category), BOD5 (Biochemical oxygen demand) (III class, 5 category), nitrogen compounds (ammonium, nitrite and nitrate) – V class, 7 category) and phosphorus compounds (phosphate ions – III class, 5 category), total iron and general chromium – III class, 5 category, phenols and SSAS (synthetic surfactants active substances) – IV class, 6 category. Thus, one of the main reasons for the degradation of the river is the anthropogenic conditionality of its development as a result of the urbanized and agricultural areas impact. The obtained data open the prospect of continuing work on monitoring and assessing the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems of the Trubizh River for the further development of scientifically based recommendations. It is necessary for making management decisions for sustainable use and protection of surface waters and restoration of aquatic ecosystems of Trubizh River Basin.

scholarly journals An assessment of the urban water footprint and blue water scarcity: A case study for Van (Turkey)

2022 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Yerli ◽  
U. Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Agricultural Planning ◽  
Harvest Dates

Abstract Today, most of the world’s population faces water scarcity, while global warming, urbanization, industrialization and population increases continue to increase the severity of the pressure on water resources. Management of water resources plays a key role in the sustainability of agricultural production. The water footprint (WF) is different in comparison to other water statistics because it takes direct and indirect water consumption into account, and helps in the management of water resources. Within this context, the WF of Van province, which is Turkey’s most easterly located arid region, was calculated from 2004 to 2019. The study area covers lake Van, which is Turkey's largest lake, and the Van basin with an area of 23.334 km2 and a population of 1.136.757 (2019). In the calculations, crop (WFcrop), livestock (WFlivestock), and domestic and industrial water footprints (WFdomestic+industrial) were evaluated separately, and blue and green water footprints (WFblue and WFgreen) were analyzed in detail. According to the results, the average WF of Van province was found to be 8.73 billion m3 year-1. Throughout the province, 87.6% of the WF is composed of WFcrop, 4.9% is WFlivestock and 7.5% is WFdomestic+industrial. Of the WFcrop, 62.5% depends on WFblue, i.e., freshwater. Most of the WFlivestock consisted of dairy cattle (49%) and sheep (38%). The average WFdomestic+industrial for 2004 to 2019 was 0.64 billion m3 year-1. The average per capita water footprint of Van province was found to be 889.9 m3 year-1 capita-1. In addition, the province is classified as severe water scarcity (257%). This study is one of the first province-based calculations of WF in Turkey and is the first study to bring a different aspect to published literature by including residual soil moisture from the winter months. As a result of this study, the WFblue of the WFcrop is above the worldwide average and should be reduced by changing the crop pattern or synchronizing the planting and harvest dates of the crops to a period that benefits from precipitation. In addition, this study is expected to contribute to new studies for calculating the provincial scale WF and will have positive effects on agricultural planning, water allocation and the sustainability of water resources.

The Significance of Water Quality Parameters for Decision-Making in Water Pollution Control – A Case Study: Lake Päijänne in Finland

1984 ◽  
Vol 16 (5-7) ◽  
pp. 407-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Nyroos
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Water Pollution Control ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
Lake Päijänne

Estimation of water quality impacts plays an important role in the planning of water pollution control. In this paper the connection of water quality aspects with the rest of the planning procedure is examined in the light of a case study area, Lake Päijänne in Finland. For this area an integrated water resource development plan was made by the Finnish water authorities. In order to diminish the adverse effects resulting from effluents of pulp and paper mills and municipalities, different pollution control alternatives were drawn up. Next, forecasts about the development of water quality in different alternatives were made. The most important parameters from the point of view of the different modes of water utilization were taken into account. These parameters were oxygen, phosphorus, COD, lignin and colour. In addition, in assessing the impacts, toxity of effluents was taken into consideration. The impacts of these parameters on the usability and utilization of water areas were analyzed. The forecasts of impacts on vacation settlement, water supply and fisheries were made. In the comparison of the alternatives, numerous intangible factors were involved. In the assessment of the alternatives the costs of water pollution control measures, the benefits and the adverse effects were taken into consideration. The impacts of intangible factors were assessed in each alternative by comparing the water use possibilities with the goals that had been set.

scholarly journals The Assessment of the Surface Water Quality Using the Water Pollution Index: A Case Study of the Timok River (The Danube River Basin), Serbia

2012 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovana Brankov ◽  
Dragana Milijašević ◽  
Ana Milanović
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Danube River ◽  
Water Pollution Index ◽  
The Danube River ◽  
The Republic

The Assessment of the Surface Water Quality Using the Water Pollution Index: A Case Study of the Timok River (The Danube River Basin), Serbia The Timok River (202 km long, 4547 km2 basin area) is located in East Serbia. It is a right tributary of the Danube River and one of the most polluted watercourses in Serbia. On the basis of the data provided by the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, the paper presents an analysis of water quality and pollution using the combined physico-chemical WPI index (Water Pollution Index) calculated for two periods - 1993-96 and 2006-2009 at four hydrological stations: Zaječar-Gamzigrad (Crni Timok River), Zaječar (Beli Timok River), Rgotina (Borska Reka River) and Čokonjar (Timok River). The following parameters were taken into consideration: dissolved O2, O2 saturation, pH, suspended sediments, Five Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODMn), nitrites, nitrates, orthophosphates, ammonium, metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Hg, Ni, Zn, Cd), sulphates and coliform germs. The average WPI values were calculated for the observed periods based on the comparison of the annual average values of the listed parameters and defined standard values for the I water quality class (according to the Regulation on the Hygienic Acceptability of Potable Water of the Republic of Serbia). The highest pollution degree was recorded in the Borska Reka River, where heavy metal levels (especially manganese and iron) were significantly increased. These metals are indicators of inorganic pollution (primarily caused by copper mining). Also, increased values of the organic pollution indicators (ammonium, coliform germs, Five-Day Biological Oxygen Demand - BOD5) in the Borska Reka and the Timok rivers are the result of uncontrolled domestic wastewater discharge.

Analysis of water use impact assessment methods (part B): applicability for water footprinting and decision making with a laundry case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Boulay ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Bayart ◽  
Cecile Bulle ◽  
Helen Franceschini ◽  
Masaharu Motoshita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Water Footprinting

scholarly journals An Improved System Dynamics Model to Evaluate Regional Water Scarcity from a Virtual Water Perspective: A Case Study of Henan Province, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7517
Author(s):  
Zhaodan Wu ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Yu Hua ◽  
Quanliang Ye ◽  
Lixiao Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
System Dynamics Model ◽  
Dynamics Model ◽  
Structure Adjustment ◽  
Regional Water

An accurate and practically useful evaluation of regional water scarcity is a necessary procedure in scarcity monitoring and threat mitigation. From the perspective of virtual water, this study proposed an improved system dynamics model to evaluate regional water scarcity (WS), including a case study of Henan province, China. We enhanced the existing system dynamics model of WS evaluation from a virtual water perspective by (1) defining WS as the ratio of the consumption-based blue water footprint to water availability, in order to compare the water requirements that need to be met to satisfy the local demand of goods and services with water supply; (2) integrating the economic growth, trade, and water use efficiency in the tertiary industry (e.g., accommodation, food and beverage services) into the model, in order to improve the accuracy of WS assessment and help find more specific measures to reduce WS by factor adjustment; (3) distinguishing the product use structure matrix, as well as the sectoral direct water use coefficient, in local regions from that in other domestic regions and foreign countries, and identifying the regional use structure matrices of products from these three kinds of regions, in order to increase the calculating veracity; and (4) displaying performances of the society, economy, and environment in WS reduction, in order to offer a more comprehensive reference for practical policy decisions. The case study results show that Henan has been suffering from, and in the near future could continue to face, water scarcity, with an average of 2.19 and an annual rise of 1.37% during 2008–2030. In the scenario comparison of current development, production structure adjustment, technology upgrade, and trade structure adjustment in supply-side structural reform of Henan from 2019 to 2030, WS could be reduced by updating production structures into less production of agricultural products or other sectors with a high production-based water footprint (with the smallest average WS of 2.02 and the second smallest total population and GDP, i.e., gross domestic production), technology enhancement in water saving, purification and pollution control (with the second smallest average WS of 2.04 and the largest total population, GDP and total available water resources). Furthermore, for the agricultural products or other sectors with high domestic/international virtual water outflow (inflow), if we reduce (increase) their percentage of outflow (inflow) in the industry involved, WS will increase only more slightly than that when we keep the current development trend, with the smallest total population. Potential measures for alleviating WS should be taken comprehensively, with priorities being identified according to the socioeconomic and environmental performance. Our model can be useful for practical policymaking and valuable for relevant research worldwide.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document