Phosphorus and Metal Contaminant Transport in Two Southern Ontario Rivers: the Grand River and its Tributary, the Nith River

1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Mayer ◽  
E. Delos Reyes

Abstract Water samples and suspended sediments from two southern Ontario rivers, the Grand River and its tributary, the Nith River, were analyzed to investigate the role of suspended sediments in the transport of phosphorus and metals from tributaries. Water samples were analyzed for total suspended solids, total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, chloride and heavy metal concentrations. Suspended sediments were analyzed for forms of phosphorus, total and organic carbon, and heavy metals. Concentrations of total phosphorus and heavy metals in water were elevated during high flows (spring snowmelt and episodes of intensive rain events), which are characterized by high concentrations of suspended solids. On average, about half of the total phosphorus in the water (60 and 54% in the Grand and Nith rivers, respectively) was transported in the particulate form, of which about 20% is in a form that would be potentially available for biological utilization upon depletion of soluble P. Biologically inert apatite-P accounted for 25 and 19% of the total particulate P in suspended sediments from the Grand and Nith rivers, respectively, indicating that between one-fifth and one-quarter of the tributary particulate P flux is of little environmental significance. This form of particulate P showed positive correlation with discharge, indicating increased contribution of this form of P during high flows due to the channel scouring and bank erosion. This finding has important implications for the refinement of P load calculations, since it is during the wet years that P loads to the Great Lakes exceed target loads stipulated by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of increased tributary P contributions. Except for apatite-P in suspended sediments from the Grand River, no statistically significant intersite differences were found in water and sediment chemistry, suggesting that there are no important sources or sinks of available phosphorus and metals between the monitored sites. River inputs from sewage treatment plants and urban runoff appear to have little effect on water quality. The lack of significant site differentiation in suspended sediments chemistry also reflects the absence of any significant chemical and/or biological processing of particles in transit and the similarity of sediment sources.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6592
Author(s):  
Ana Moldovan ◽  
Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia ◽  
Anamaria Iulia Török ◽  
Marius Roman ◽  
Ionut Cornel Mirea ◽  
...  

This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.


Author(s):  
I. Sh. Normatov ◽  
V.V. Goncharuk ◽  
N.A. Amirgaliev ◽  
A.S. Madibekov ◽  
A.I. Normatov

The water quality of the transboundary Pyanj River in the formation zone and along the riverbed before merging with another tributary of the transboundary Amu Darya River-the Vakhsh River was studied. The water quality on the upstream river corresponds to the very soft class (> 1.5 mmol/dm3) and in the middle and the downstream to the soft class (1.5-3.0 mmol/dm3). At the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Pyanj river the concentration of alkaline earth exceeds alkali metals (Ca2+ + Mg2+> Na+ + K+) at HCO3- > SO42- + Cl- and according to the Handa classification they are characterized by temporary rigidity. To assess the criterion of applicability of the Pyanj river water for irrigation the coefficient of sodium adsorption (SAC) was calculated for water samples from the upstream (Khorog), middle (Darvaz) and the downstream (Lower Pyanj) of the Pyanj river that were equal to 0.88; 1.07; 1.71, respectively. The SAC values for all water samples (from the upper, middle and lower reaches) of the Pyanj river indicate their good qualities for irrigation of agricultural land. The concentration of heavy metals in the Pyanj river is significantly lower than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC).


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hawraz Sami Khalid ◽  
Hoshyar Saadi Ali ◽  
Dhary Almashhadany

The present study was conducted to evaluate the quality of drinking water in randomly selected schools in Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The water quality indices such as the Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Heavy metal Evaluation Index (HEI) were applied to characterize water quality. Eighteen schools were incorporated and sampled for their water storage tanks available to students. Water samples and sediment samples from tanks floor were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer for the determination of twenty-two metal elements. In drinking water samples, all detected metals did not exceed the permissible limits of the World Health Organization. The results of this study showed that the average values of HPI and HEI for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn were 54.442 and 0.221, respectively. According to data of the water quality indices, the schools drinking water quality are good and suitable for drinking in terms of heavy metals. However, sediments samples contained high concentrations of all elements including the toxic heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb). Re-suspension of sediments into water column after refilling storage tanks can pose a serious threat to students drinking water from such vessels. It is therefore recommended that proper storage tanks are provided to the schools accompanied by continuous sanitation and hygiene practice to mitigate the corrosion of tanks to avoid health risks of toxic metal


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-31
Author(s):  
Christopher Buzzelli ◽  
Zhiqiang Chen ◽  
Peter Doering ◽  
Amanda Kahn

Abstract Coastal water bodies are impacted by watershed alterations, increased population density, modifications to inlets and shorelines, climatic periodicity, and increases in external material loads. Estuaries such as Lake Worth Lagoon (LWL) in south Florida possess all these attributes. The LWL watershed extends from the southeastern portion of Lake Okeechobee through Palm Beach County, where it meets the lagoon. Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management recognizes the social and ecological importance of the ~36 km lagoon and aims to maintain suitable water and habitat quality for all stakeholders. Recent declines and shifts of seagrass distribution along the lagoon prompted a step toward better understanding the water quality patterns of the system. In support of these efforts, this study assessed bathymetry, inflow, flushing, and water quality attributes (chlorophyll a, salinity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total suspended solids, turbidity) using data collected along a series of 14 midlagoon stations from 2007 to 2015. Salinity in the North Segment was higher and less variable because of proximity to Palm Beach Inlet. Although concentrations of chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus correlated with freshwater inflow, turbidity and total suspended solids were not. Fast flushing of the lagoon on a scale of days likely precludes water quality issues common to many estuaries with higher resident times. However, the combination of landscape-scale water management, a shoreline that is almost 70% modified by hard structures, and changes in essential nearshore habitats, introduces new levels of uncertainty to both the understanding and management of LWL. From this study, increased knowledge of relationships among water quality parameters and their spatial and temporal variability in LWL provides points of reference from which targeted studies can be developed to explore links between environmental parameters and responses of key organisms in this unique system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Teck-Yee Ling ◽  
Chen-Lin Soo ◽  
Teresa-Lee-Eng Heng ◽  
Lee Nyanti ◽  
Siong-Fong Sim ◽  
...  

Assessment of river water quality is essential as it provides the knowledge required to make informed decisions. Therefore, water quality was determined at 15 tributary stations located along the Batang Baleh, Sarawak. Results of the study indicate that all tributaries were well-aerated (≈ 7.7 mg/L) with pH (≈ 7.3) and conductivity (≈ 37.3 μS/cm) values falling within acceptable ranges. However, there were tributaries that showed very high turbidity (> 1000 NTU) and suspended solids (> 800 mg/L) which were contributed by the soil erosion from logging activities in the watershed. Tributary stations associated with logging activities also showed significantly higher total phosphorus and organic nitrogen. Cluster analysis demonstrated that water quality at tributary stations along the Batang Baleh exhibited a longitudinal variation from upstream to downstream regions, particularly, dissolved oxygen, five-day biochemical oxygen demand, and nitrite-nitrate nitrogen, which were found higher in upstream region and steadily decreased towards the downstream region. Two stations located at Sg. Serani and Sg. Melatai were distinct from the other stations with the highest concentrations of turbidity, total suspended solids, organic nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Thus, there is an urgent need to reduce the pollutants in the tributaries of Batang Baleh for the health of the sensitive aquatic organisms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-104
Author(s):  
MMM Hoque ◽  
PP Deb

This study was conducted to know the status of physicochemical water quality parameter and heavy metal concentration in the water of Buriganga river, adjoining to Dhaka city. Water samples were collected from five different points of Buriganga river and were analyzed to determine pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) content. Most of the measured water quality parameters and concentration of heavy metals were exceeded the standard level set by ECR and ADB. Among heavy metals concentration, level of chromium and cadmium were 4-5 times higher than the standard drinking level, these results indicate that surrounding industrial wastewater discharging from textile and tannery industries, which pollute the Buriganga river water. During the observation, at Hazaribagh station BOD level was found 32 times higher than drinking water standard level and 6 times higher than standard irrigation level, indicating Buriganga river water is extremely polluted by microorganism and is not suitable for household and irrigational use. Similarly, DO level at Buriganga river water was 5 times lower than the standard level, which indicates that Buriganga river water is extremely polluted and is unsuitable for aquatic life which are dependent on DO for their sustain. In the present study, the measured level of EC, chromium, cadmium and copper were found higher level as compare to the previous studies.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 9(2): 97-104 2016


1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 893-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tyagi ◽  
M. Sharma ◽  
E. McBean

Statistical models are developed for the estimation of phosphorus concentrations for different seasons and locations using routinely monitored water quality parameters in the Grand River Basin. Two methods of modelling, namely the best subset model and the stepwise regression method based on R2 and F values, are described. The best subset modelling procedure enables comparison between full model (containing all the independent variables) and subset models (containing subsets of independent variables). For correlated independent variables, the best subset modelling procedure is shown to provide a better model than the stepwise regression procedure. The statistical modelling results indicate that suspended solids play an important role in the prediction of phosphorus levels and consequently decreasing suspended solids would decrease the growth of aquatic plants in the Grand River Basin. Key words: regression modelling, water quality, phosphorus, suspended solids, rivers, statistics.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Besufekad Asres Mekonnen ◽  
Alemayehu Haddis ◽  
Wuhib Zeine

Abstract Background An increase in the urban population and the rising demand for food and other essentials perpetuate a rise in the amount of waste being generated daily by each household. In low-income countries, this waste is eventually thrown into open dump sites. It can cause severe impacts on human health and the surrounding environment. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of a solid waste dump site of Teppi town on surrounding soil and river water quality. Methods A total of three surface water, one leachate water samples, and four soil samples were collected and were analyzed. Six heavy metals for surface water and leachate samples and four heavy metals for soil samples were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Additionally, physical and chemical parameters were analyzed using standard methods. The soil and water data were analyzed statistically using Origin pro version 8.0 computer software packages. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess whether the mean values of heavy metals and physicochemical parameters in soil and water samples varied significantly between distances and location from the dump site, possibilities less than 0.05 (p< 0.05) was considered statistically significant. Results pH of soil was slightly basic (pH 8±0.1 up to 8.7±0.21. Similarly, EC was lower in 60 meters (1800±0.5μs/cm) and higher in the other sample sites (3490±0.66-4920±1.04μs/cm). The concentration of heavy metals such as cadmium (0.53±0.01-2.26±0.02 mg/kg), zinc (623.93±0.29-859.41±0.02mg/kg), lead (3.26±0.25-57.560.26mg/kg), and copper (204.06±0.06 337.11±0.01mg/kg) in the sample soils has been found to be higher than Ethiopian EPA and USEPA guideline values. Lead, cadmium, manganese, nickel, copper, and zinc in the leachate water and nickel and manganese in nearby river water, total dissolved solid, BOD5, chemical oxygen demand, and turbidity for both leachate and stream water samples were found to be higher than the Ethiopian EPA and WHO standard guideline values. Conclusions The finding suggested that solid waste open dump site adversely affects soil and water quality in the study area and probable source of human health risks via the food chain. The soil in the area requires Phytoremediation technologies. In addition, sanitary landfill is recommended.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Engha Isah ◽  
Nuhu Abdulkadir Abdulmumin ◽  
Paul D. Elaoyi ◽  
Ephraim Audu

Abstract Background The release of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals due to mining activities has received worldwide condemnation. Therefore, understanding the contamination of both surface and groundwater in Edege-Mbeki mining district is very important for the health and wellbeing of its people. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the physicochemical parameters of water samples and the level of heavy metals in Edege-Mbeki Columbite/Tantalite (COLTAN) mining site, North Central Nigeria. Results A total of 15 water samples were collected and analyzed in triplicate. The concentrations of five heavy metals (Ni, Mn, Pb, Cd, and Fe) in surface and groundwater samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-6800 Shimadzu). The physicochemical properties of the water samples were also examined. The results of the water quality assessments show that the water samples were contaminated with alarming levels of Pb, Cd and Ni. Mean concentrations were Ni (0.008 mg/L), Mn (0.087 mg/L), Pb (0.324 mg/L), Cd (0.029 mg/L), and Fe (0.839 mg/L) in Edege-Mbeki groundwater, while the surface water (mining ponds) had Ni (0.102 mg/L), Mn (0.099 mg/L), Pb (0.358 mg/L), Cd (0.025 mg/L), and Fe (6.99 mg/L). The groundwater samples in Mararaban-Edege which served as the control site had mean concentration levels of Ni (0.032 mg/L), Mn (0.096 mg/L), Pb (0.122 mg/L), Cd (0.039 mg/L), and Fe (0.608 mg/L). The range of pH was found to be from 5.6 ± 0.02 to 6.5 ± 0.12, turbidity was between 39.27 ± 0.29 and 2271 ± 0.00 NTU, and conductivity ranged from 39.27 ± 0.29 to 757.33 ± 5.69 μS/cm, TDS from 25.0 ± 2.3 to 450.67 ± 6.03 mg/L while dissolved oxygen (DO) values from 3.1 ± 0.3 to 3.5 ± 0.3 mg/L. Conclusion This study confirmed that surface and ground water samples in Edege-Mbeki and Mararaban-Edege are not fit for human consumption and other domestic use. Hence, government and community leaders must provide alternative means of water for the people of these communities.


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