scholarly journals Integrating Inland and Coastal Water Quality Data for Actionable Knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2899
Author(s):  
Ghada Y.H. El Serafy ◽  
Blake A. Schaeffer ◽  
Merrie-Beth Neely ◽  
Anna Spinosa ◽  
Daniel Odermatt ◽  
...  

Water quality measures for inland and coastal waters are available as discrete samples from professional and volunteer water quality monitoring programs and higher-frequency, near-continuous data from automated in situ sensors. Water quality parameters also are estimated from model outputs and remote sensing. The integration of these data, via data assimilation, can result in a more holistic characterization of these highly dynamic ecosystems, and consequently improve water resource management. It is becoming common to see combinations of these data applied to answer relevant scientific questions. Yet, methods for scaling water quality data across regions and beyond, to provide actionable knowledge for stakeholders, have emerged only recently, particularly with the availability of satellite data now providing global coverage at high spatial resolution. In this paper, data sources and existing data integration frameworks are reviewed to give an overview of the present status and identify the gaps in existing frameworks. We propose an integration framework to provide information to user communities through the the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) AquaWatch Initiative. This aims to develop and build the global capacity and utility of water quality data, products, and information to support equitable and inclusive access for water resource management, policy and decision making.

Author(s):  
Taimi S. Kapalanga ◽  
Zvikomborero Hoko ◽  
Webster Gumindoga ◽  
Loyd Chikwiramakomo

Abstract Frequent and continuous water quality monitoring of Olushandja Dam in Namibia is needed to inform timely decision making. This study was carried out from November 2014 to June 2015 with Landsat 8 reflectance values and field measured water quality data that were used to develop regression analysis-based retrieval algorithms. Water quality parameters considered included turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), nitrates, ammonia, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total algae counts. Results show that turbidity levels exceeded the recommended limits for raw water for potable water treatment while TN and TP values are within acceptable values. Turbidity, TN, and TP and total algae count showed a medium to strong positive linear relationship between Landsat predicted and measured water quality data while TSS showed a weak linear relationship. The regression coefficients between predicted and measured values were: turbidity (R2 = 0.767); TN (R2 = 0.798,); TP (R2 = 0.907); TSS (R2 = 0.284,) and total algae count (R2 = 0.851). Prediction algorithms are generally best fit to derive water quality parameters. Remote sensing is recommended for frequent and continuous monitoring of Olushandja Dam as it has the ability to provide rapid information on the spatio-temporal variability of surface water quality.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Pramana ◽  
Schuyler Houser ◽  
Daru Rini ◽  
Maurits Ertsen

<p>Water quality in the rivers and tributaries of the Brantas catchment (about 12.000 km<sup>2</sup>) is deteriorating due to various reasons, including rapid economic development, insufficient domestic water treatment and waste management, and industrial pollution. Various parameters measured by agencies involved in water resource development and management and environmental management consistently demonstrate exceedance of the local water quality standards. Between the different agencies, water quality data are available – intermittently from 2009 until 2019 at 104 locations, but generally on a monthly basis. Still, opportunities to improve data availability are apparent, both to increase the amount and representability of the data sets. The opportunity to expand available data via citizen science is simultaneously an opportunity to provide education on water stewardship and empower citizens to participate in water quality management. We plan to involve people from eight communities living close to the river and researchers from two local universities in a citizen-science campaign. The community members would sample weekly at 10 locations, from upstream to downstream of the catchment. We will use probes and test strips to measure the temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, iron, and dissolved oxygen. The results will potentially be combined with the data from government agencies to construct an integrated water quality data set to improve decision making and the quality of community engagement in water resource management.</p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 512-513 ◽  
pp. 540-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Altenburger ◽  
Selim Ait-Aissa ◽  
Philipp Antczak ◽  
Thomas Backhaus ◽  
Damià Barceló ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2045-2049
Author(s):  
Catalina Gabriela Gheorghe ◽  
Andreea Bondarev ◽  
Ion Onutu

Monitoring of environmental factors allows the achievement of some important objectives regarding water quality, forecasting, warning and intervention. The aim of this paper is to investigate water quality parameters in some potential pollutant sources from northern, southern and east-southern areas of Romania. Surface water quality data for some selected chemical parameters were collected and analyzed at different points from March to May 2017.


1984 ◽  
Vol 16 (5-7) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
S J Hugman

Mozambique lies on the south-east coast of Africa. Its Independence, in 1975, was particularly difficult and severely disrupted the economy. All its major rivers rise in neighbouring countries and several, in particular those from South Africa and Swaziland, are already heavily used before crossing the border. Since 1977 the National Water Directorate has been responsible for management and development of water resources. The Directorate includes a hydrology department which maintains field-teams throughout the country. Virtually no water quality data are available from before 1972, when irregular sample collection began. Since Independence, sampling has continued but the Directorate has redefined the objectives of the programme to obtain maximum benefit from very limited resources. These objectives were chosen for economic, hydrological and political reasons. The long-term objectives are to provide the data required for agricultural and industrial development projects, to manage and maintain the quality of Mozambique's water resources, and to meet international obligations. In practice, the capacity of the hydrological service is insufficient to meet these objectives. The targets for the existing programme were therefore chosen to satisfy the most important objectives and to be feasible with present resources. The routine programme is being completely operated by technicians who have no more than nine years schooling.


1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Anderson ◽  
S. J. Turner ◽  
G. D. Lewis

Faecal enterococci ecology outside the host is of great relevance when using these organisms as indicators of water quality. As a complement to New Zealand epidemiological studies of bathing water quality and health risk, a study of the environmental occurrence of these organisms has been undertaken. Specific concerns over the use of enterococci derive from the unique situation in New Zealand which has few chlorinated sewage effluents, a high ratio of grazing animals to humans, and significant inputs of animal processing effluents into the environment. Human and animal faecal wastes are the main sources, with 106–107cfu/100ml found in human sewage. Analysis of domestic and feral animal faeces found enterococci in the range of 101–106cfu/g with considerable variation between species. The latter observations support the notion that a considerable proportion of the load in urban/rural catchments and waterways (typically 102–103 enterococci cfu/100ml) is derived from non-human sources. Previous studies of enterococci quiescence in marine/fresh waters indicate that they enter a non-growth phase, exposure to sunlight markedly reducing culturability on selective and non-selective media. Enterococci were also found to survive/multiply within specific non-faecal environments. Enterococci on degrading drift seaweed at recreational beaches exceeded seawater levels by 2–4 orders of magnitude, suggesting that expansion had occurred in this permissive environment with resultant potential to contaminate adjacent sand and water. These studies suggest that multiple sources, environmental persistence, and environmental expansion of enterococci within selected niches add considerable complexity to the interpretation of water quality data.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 949-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Zheng ◽  
Yang Hong ◽  
Di Long ◽  
Hua Jing

Abstract. Surface water quality monitoring (SWQM) provides essential information for water environmental protection. However, SWQM is costly and limited in terms of equipment and sites. The global popularity of social media and intelligent mobile devices with GPS and photography functions allows citizens to monitor surface water quality. This study aims to propose a method for SWQM using social media platforms. Specifically, a WeChat-based application platform is built to collect water quality reports from volunteers, which have been proven valuable for water quality monitoring. The methods for data screening and volunteer recruitment are discussed based on the collected reports. The proposed methods provide a framework for collecting water quality data from citizens and offer a primary foundation for big data analysis in future research.


2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Neal ◽  
B. Reynolds ◽  
M. Neal ◽  
H. Wickham ◽  
L. Hill ◽  
...  

Abstract. Results for long term water quality monitoring are described for the headwaters of the principal headwater stream of the River Severn, the Afon Hafren. The results are linked to within-catchment information to describe the influence of conifer harvesting on stream and shallow groundwater quality. A 19-year record of water quality data for the Hafren (a partially spruce forested catchment with podzolic soil) shows the classic patterns of hydrochemical change in relation to concentration and flow responses for upland forested systems. Progressive felling of almost two-thirds of the forest over the period of study resulted in little impact from harvesting and replanting in relation to stream water quality. However, at the local scale, a six years’ study of felling indicated significant release of nitrate into both surface and groundwater; this persisted for two or three years before declining. The study has shown two important features. Firstly, phased felling has led to minimal impacts on stream water. This contrasts with the results of an experimental clear fell for the adjacent catchment of the Afon Hore where a distinct water quality deterioration was observed for a few years. Secondly, there are localised zones with varying hydrology that link to groundwater sources with fracture flow properties. This variability makes extrapolation to the catchment scale difficult without very extensive monitoring. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to strong support for the use of phased felling-based management of catchments and the complexities of within catchment processes. Keywords: deforestation, water quality, acidification, pH, nitrate, alkalinity, ANC, aluminium, dissolved organic carbon, Plynlimon, forest, spruce, Afon Hafren, podzol


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