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The objective of this work was to investigate electrochemical removal of nitrate from a high salinity waste stream generated by Donnan dialysis. Donnan dialysis for nitrate removal is a promising technique. It produces a distinctive composition of a high salinity waste stream of NaCl or Na2SO4 that requires a viable disposal method. The waste stream has the full anionic composition of contaminated groundwater, but the only cation is sodium. Experiments were conducted in a batch system setup. A copper cathode was chosen over brass, aluminum and graphite cathodes. A dimensionally stable anode (DSA), Ti/PbO2, was selected over a Ti/Pt anode. Electrochemical denitrification of high salinity Donnan dialysis nitrate wastes was successfully achieved, with different behavior exhibited in high salinity NaCl solution than in high salinity Na2SO4 solution. NaCl inhibited nitrate removal at high salinities while Na2SO4 did not. The maximum removals after 4 h operation in the high salinity wastes were 69 and 87% for the NaCl and Na2SO4 solutions respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess the performance of a distributed hydrological model for simulating the transport of various heavy metals in rivers, to enhance and support environmental monitoring strategies for rivers in developing countries. In this context, we evaluated the performance of the Geophysical flow Circulation (GeoCIRC) model based on Object-Oriented Design (OOD) for the simulation of contamination from multiple heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cr, and Zn) in Harrach River in Algeria. The results of the case study were in good agreement with the observations. Methodology for the assessment of data quality control and the improvement of monitoring procedures was proposed by using the hydrological model to simulate different scenarios. The GeoCIRC-model-based OOD allowed the prediction of the concentrations of heavy metals with minimal input data. Also, various heavy metals could be numerically treated simultaneously because the OOD increases the model's flexibility to allow the handling of many transportable materials. Therefore, the GeoCIRC model is a powerful tool for the monitoring of environmental contamination in rivers by various heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total phosphorus (TP) standards for lakes differ from those for rivers in GB3838-2002. This disjunction may lead to the failure of lake-water quality improvement plans that control nutrient inputs from inflow rivers. With monthly monitoring data for the period 2009-2015, Northwest Lake Taihu was regarded as a case study and the BATHTUB model was utilised to simulate the correspondence between concentrations of TP in the lake and in its inflow rivers. A control plan for TP in Northwest Lake Taihu's inflow rivers is proposed. To guarantee the fulfillment of the control goals of TP in the lake, concentration of TP in the inflow rivers of North Zone, Zhushan Bay, Meiliang Bay and Gonghu Bay should be reduced by 50%, 58%, 18% and 11%, respectively, and TP flux loads should be maintained under 227.35, 173.39, 113.69 and 90.62 ta-1, respectively. Meanwhile, total TP influxes from Northwest Lake Taihu should be maintained under 604.63 ta-1. A control plan that is more restrictive than GB3838-2002 should be proposed to address the TP pollution of the lake. This research provides the foundation for quantifying reduction of the nutrient loading from the catchment and for maintaining Lake Taihu and other typical eutrophic lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the levels of toxic metals like arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in water and sediments of the Pasur River in Bangladesh. The ranges of Cr, As, Cd, Pb in water were 25.76-77.39, 2.76-16.73, 0.42-2.98 and 12.69-42.67 μg/L and in sediments were 20.67-83.70, 3.15-19.97, 0.39-3.17 and 7.34-55.32 mg/kg. The level of studied metals in water samples exceeded the safe limits of drinking water, indicating that water from this river is not safe for drinking and cooking. Certain indices, including pollution load index (PLI) and contamination factor (Cif ) were used to assess the ecological risk. The PLI indicated progressive deterioration of sediments by the studied metals. Potential ecological risks of metals in sediment indicated low to considerable risk. However, the Cif values of Cd ranged from 0.86 to 8.37 revealed that the examined sediments were strongly impacted by Cd. Considering the severity of potential ecological risk (PER) for single metal (Eri ), the descending order of contaminants was Cd >Pb> As> Cr. According the results, some treatment scheme must formulate and implement by the researchers and related management organizations to save the Pasur River from metals contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four conventional activated sludge sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Southern India were chosen to investigate the occurrence of major ions and trace metals in dissolved fraction of the wastewater. Samples were collected from inlet and outlet of STPs during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Except for a few elements (Mn, Mo and Ni), the concentrations of the rest increased at the outlet of STPs, suggesting that there is an addition of these elements during the treatment process. The increase in concentrations at the STP outlet ranged from 1.25 times for Mn to 3,254 times for Ag during the pre-monsoon. In the monsoon, the increase ranged from 1.75 (Fe) to 1,510 (Ag). This suggests that there is a substantial anthropogenic input of these elements as they pass through the treatment process. Removal rates of elements in STPs also varied. 59% of Mn was removed during the treatment process during pre-monsoon as compared to 67% removal during monsoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black-odor mechanism of Yitong River was analyzed based on survey and monitoring results. We found that organic matter is the main pollution source of Yitong River and its tributaries. A black-odor evaluation model that can describe the pollution of the Yitong River water system was developed, and this model has the parameters I = 0.21 [CODCr] + 0.18 [DO] -- 0.36[NH3-N] + 0.91. The model performance was satisfactory with a black-odor defining accuracy of 69%. Moreover, we found that CODCr, NH3-N, and DO are the influential factors of the Yitong River black-odor water body and that their threshold values when the water body transitioned to black odor were 109.2, 1.90, and 7.50 mg·L-1, respectively. We found that most of the Yitong River was polluted by six heavy metals, namely, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. We used the Nemerow method to calculate the heavy metal pollution degree of each sampling point and found that 60% of the points were seriously polluted. Furthermore, we drew the heavy metal pollution distribution map of the Yitong River. Finally, we proposed an effective measure called new-type multistep constructed wetland to improve the water quality of Yitong River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Payatas landfill in Quezon City, Philippines, releases leachate to the Marikina River through a creek. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to study temporal and spatial variations in water quality of a segment of the Marikina River. The data set included 12 physico-chemical parameters for five monitoring stations over a year. Cluster analysis grouped the monitoring stations into four clusters and identified January-May as dry season and June-September as wet season. Principal components analysis showed that three latent factors are responsible for the data set explaining 83% of its total variance. The chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, Cl- and PO43- are influenced by anthropogenic impact/eutrophication pollution from point sources. Total suspended solids, turbidity and SO42- are influenced by rain and soil erosion. The highest state of pollution is at the Payatas creek outfall from March to May, whereas at downstream stations it is in May. The current study indicates that the river monitoring requires only four stations, nine water quality parameters and testing over three specific months of the year. The findings of this study imply that Payatas landfill requires a proper leachate collection and treatment system to reduce its impact on the Marikina River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of the pollutant mixing zone (PMZ) near the discharge outfall in Huangshaxi shows large error when using the methods based on the constant lateral diffusion assumption. The discrepancy is due to the lack of consideration of the diffusion coefficient variation. The variable lateral diffusion coefficient is proposed to be a function of the longitudinal distance from the outfall. Analytical solution of the two-dimensional advection-diffusion equation of a pollutant is derived and discussed. Formulas to characterize the geometry of the PMZ are derived based on this solution, and a standard curve describing the boundary of the PMZ is obtained by proper choices of the normalization scales. The change of PMZ topology due to the variable diffusion coefficient is then discussed using these formulas. The criterion of assuming the lateral diffusion coefficient to be constant without large error in PMZ geometry is found. It is also demonstrated how to use these analytical formulas in the inverse problems including estimating the lateral diffusion coefficient in rivers by convenient measurements, and determining the maximum allowable discharge load based on the limitations of the geometrical scales of the PMZ. Finally, applications of the obtained formulas to onsite PMZ measurements in Huangshaxi present excellent agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new methodology is proposed for waste load allocation in river systems using the decision support system (DSS) for the graph model for conflict resolution II (GMCRII), multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) analysis and the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm. Minimization of total treatment and penalty costs and minimization of biological oxygen demand violation of standards at the check point are considered as the main objectives of this study. At first, the water quality along the river was simulated using the Streeter-Phelps (S-P) equation coupled with the MOPSO model. Thereby a trade-off curve between the objectives is obtained and a set of non-dominated solutions is selected. In the next step, the best alternative is chosen using MCDM techniques and the GMCRII DSS package and non-cooperative stability definitions. The applicability and efficiency of the methodology are examined in a real-world case study of the Sefidrud River in the northern part of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water transparency is an important ecological indicator for shallow lakes. The largest shallow lake, Poyang Lake, as well as the most typical river-connected lake in China was selected as the research area. In view of the complicated water-sediment conditions induced by its frequent water exchange with external rivers, the dominant factors driving water transparency were determined against the field investigated data from 2003 to 2013 and a specific driving function was established. A numerical model coupling suspended sediment, Chl-a and chemical oxygen demand was developed and validated, and the spatial water transparency distributions under three typical current structures in Poyang Lake, Gravity-style, Jacking-style and Backflow-style, were quantitatively estimated. The following results stood out: water transparency in the lake varied distinctly with the current status; Backflow-style current was basically characterized by the lowest water transparency, while that under Jacking-style was the highest due to the lower sediment carrying capacity. In some outlying regions in the lake, where the water current is hardly influenced by the mainstream, the water transparency was always kept at a stable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River classification is a very useful tool for rivermanagement yet still a difficult task. This paper proposed a new decision classifier (DCF) to classify rivers for Chinese river management based on existing classification systems. Aimed at river function management, the DCF with the five-layers frame was developed on reach level in a spatially nested pattern that fromtop to bottomare natural province, basin, valley, reach, habitat and microhabitat. Five indexes (artificial degree, closeness, sinuosity, bed material texture, geomorphic units (GUs)) were selected and organized into the DCF according to the importance of the influence on river structure from macro to micro, large to small and top to bottom, because they represent main aspects of river structures and are easy to obtain. In addition, the closeness index is another good connector between valley level and reach level, and the GUs index links reach level to habitat level. The overall procedure to use DCF includes primary indoor classification and field validation. Remote sensing, geographical information system and global positioning system technologies were adopted in the process to dramatically reduce workload, especially fieldwork. Finally, the approach was applied to the Yongding river as a good example, and 17 river styles were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the effects of Fe(III) and anthropogenic ligands on the bioavailability of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb, concentrations of bioavailable metals were measured by the DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) method in some urban rivers, and were compared with concentrations calculated by a chemical equilibrium model (WHAM 7.0). Assuming that dissolved Fe(III) (<0.45 µm membrane filtered) was in equilibrium with colloidal iron oxide, the WHAM 7.0 model estimated that bioavailable concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Zn were slightly higher than the corresponding values estimated assuming that dissolved Fe(III) was absent. In contrast, lower levels of free Pb were predicted by the WHAM 7.0 model when dissolved Fe(III) was included. Estimates showed that most of the dissolved Pb was present as colloidal iron-Pb complex. Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) concentrations at sampling sites were predicted from the relationship between EDTA and the calculated bioavailable concentration of Zn. When both colloidal iron and predicted EDTA concentrations were included in the WHAM 7.0 calculations, dissolved metals showed a strong tendency to form EDTA complexes, in the order Ni>Cu >Zn>Pb. With the inclusion of EDTA, bioavailable concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Zn predicted by WHAM 7.0 were different from those predicted considering only humic substances and colloidal iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the dynamic adsorption of methylene blue dye onto CuO-acid modified sepiolite was investigated. Meanwhile, the equilibrium and kinetic data of the adsorption process were studied to understand the adsorption mechanism. Furthermore, a high-temperature gas stream was applied to regenerate the adsorbent. The results showed that the Langmuir isotherm model was applied to describe the adsorption process. The positive value of enthalpy change indicated that the adsorption process was endothermic in nature. In the dynamic adsorption process, the best adsorption performance was achieved when the ratio of column height to diameter was 2.56 and the treatment capacity was 6 BV/h. The optimal scenario for regeneration experiments was the regeneration temperature of 550-650 °C, the space velocity of 100 min-1 and the regeneration time of 10 min. The effective adsorption of CuO-acid modified sepiolite was kept for 12 cycles of adsorption and regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections can occur throughout the year. Cases of HAdV-associated respiratory disease have been more common in the late winter, spring, and early summer. In this study, to provide viral pollution data for further epidemiological studies and governmental actions, the presence of HAdV in the aquatic environment was quantitatively surveyed in the summer. This study was conducted to compare the efficiencies of nested-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and qPCR (quantitative PCR) for detecting HAdV in environmental waters. A total of 73 water samples were collected from Puzi River in Taiwan and subjected to virus concentration methods. In the results, qPCR had much better efficiency for specifying the pathogen in river sample. HAdV41 was detected most frequently in the river water sample (10.9%). The estimated HAdV concentrations ranged between 6.75 × 10² and 2.04 × 109 genome copies/L. Significant difference was also found in heterotrophic plate counts, conductivity, water temperature, and water turbidity between presence/absence of HAdV. HAdV in the Puzi River may pose a significant health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transit data analysis and artificial neural networks (ANNs) have proven to be a useful tool for characterizing and modelling non-linear hydrological processes. In this paper, these methods have been used to characterize and to predict the discharge of Lor River (North Western Spain), 1, 2 and 3 days ahead. Transit data analyses show a coefficient of correlation of 0.53 for a lag between precipitation and discharge of 1 day. On the other hand, temperature and discharge has a negative coefficient of correlation (-0.43) for a delay of 19 days. The ANNs developed provide a good result for the validation period, with R2 between 0.92 and 0.80. Furthermore, these prediction models have been tested with discharge data from a period 16 years later. Results of this testing period also show a good correlation, with R2 between 0.91 and 0.64. Overall, results indicate that ANNs are a good tool to predict river discharge with a small number of input variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on isolation of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cr(VI) resistant bacteria to assess their exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and related bioremoval capacities. Mixed cultures had higher heavy metal removal capacity in media with molasses (MAS) than the control cultures lacking this carbon (AS) containing 50 mg/l of heavy metal. The yields were 32%, 75.7%, and 51.1% in MAS, while the corresponding values were 29%, 55.1%, and 34.5% in AS, respectively. Purification of the strains 1, 5 and 6 present in the mixed cultures decreased the bioremoval capacities of the mixed culture samples, although these strains produced higher EPS amounts in MAS agar. Strain 5 had the highest Cu(II) (69.1%) and Cr(VI) (43.1%) removal rates at 25 mg/l initial concentration of each pollutant with EPS amounts of 0.74 g/l and 1.05 g/l, respectively. This strain was identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The presented data show that especially mixed and also pure cultures of bacterial strains isolated from Ankara Stream could be assessed as potential bioremoval agents in the treatment of Cu(II) or Cr(VI) containing wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stream ecosystems may suffer from the effects of multiple stressors. Planning restoration actions without knowing the relative weight of each stressor might lead to disproportionately costly or ecologically meaningless measures. This is particularly relevant under the EU Water Framework Directive where economic considerations play a role in justifying exemptions from the overarching aim of the directive of achieving the good ecological status in all the EU water bodies by 2015. In this study, we correlated the status of macroinvertebrate assemblages with many environmental variables at 120 monitoring stations (surveyed in 2009-2011) in the streams of Lombardy, Italy. We used a combination of regression techniques to disentangle the effects of the different stressors. Furthermore, different profiles of ecological quality were associated with the dominant stressors. Finally, examples are given about how these study findings provide elements to identify restoration scenarios that maximize the effectiveness/cost ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a Guelph Permeameter, the soil water infiltration processes were analyzed in the Babao River of the Qilian Mountain in China. The results showed that the average soil initial infiltration and the steady infiltration rates in the upstream reaches of the Babao River are 1.93 and 0.99 cm/min, whereas those of the middle area are 0.48 cm/min and 0.21 cm/min, respectively. The infiltration processes can be divided into three stages: the rapidly changing stage (0-10 min), the slowly changing stage (10-30 min) and the stabilization stage (after 30 min). We used field data collected from lawn soils and evaluated the performances of the infiltration models of Philip, Kostiakov and Horton with the sum of squared error, the root mean square error, the coefficient of determination, the mean error, the model efficiency and Willmott's index of agreement. The results indicated that the Kostiakov model was most suitable for studying the infiltration process in the alpine lawn soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the problem of automatic control of pollutant on a shallow river using surface water systems is addressed using a benchmark test case based in the Ebro River. The Ebro River presents flooding episodes in the city of Zaragoza in Spring when snow melts in the Pyrenees. To avoid flooding and high pollutant levels in living areas, some lands outside the city are prepared to be flooded. Going one step further, this paper is focused on the pollutant level control at a certain point downstream of the river under flooding episodes, and several control strategies for that purpose are presented and tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water quality status of the Kouris river in Cyprus was examined in order to fulfil the requirements for ecological quality as defined by the Water Framework Directive-2000/60/EC. Nitrate concentration (mean value) was increased in the Limnatis (2.8 mg L-1) tributary in comparison with the Kryos (2.1 mg L-1) and Kouris (1.0 mg L-1) tributaries depicting the influence of anthropogenic activities. The total maximum daily nutrients loads (TMDLs) based on the flow duration curves approach, showed that nutrients loads exceeded threshold values (33.3-75.6% in all hydrologic condition classes in the Kouris tributary, and 65-78% in the Limnatis tributary) especially under low flow conditions. The TMDL graph is intended to guide the temporal schedule for chemical sampling in all hydrologic classes. Kouris reservoir is an oligotrophic system, strongly influenced by the river's flash-flood character but also by the implemented management practices. Kouris river outflow, which was reduced to one-tenth in the post dam period altered the wetland hydrologic network and contributed to the decrease of aquifer thickness. Continuous evaluation and update of the River Basin Management Plans will be the basis for the sustainable development of the Kouris basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many rivers in the region of northwest China are drying up, and the ecological environment is getting worse. Studying methods of calculating the ecological water requirement (EWR) for dried-up rivers will help to slow down the deterioration of the ecological environment and conserve biodiversity. The water requirement of vegetation and infiltration (WRVI) method is proposed in this paper. This method focuses on dried-up rivers and takes the water requirement of vegetation and river bed infiltration into consideration. This is different from the conventional methods, which only focus on the rivers that have a flow rate. Due to drying, the ecological environment is worsening year by year in the lower reaches of the Zhang River in the Haihe River Basin in northwest China. This river is used as an example to determine the EWR, and the results are compared with another method. The results show that the WRVI method can calculate the EWR more accurately by considering various factors in different years and months for dried-up rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the prevalence of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in river water samples (n = 56) and suspended solids (n = 5) from three major Western Cape rivers, in South Africa. Solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using an analytical method developed in ISO 25101 (2009), PFOS and PFOA concentration in river water and in suspended solids from the rivers was investigated and quantified. From the results, PFOA and PFOS were detected in all the river water samples and were found in concentrations up to 314 and 182 ng/L for Diep River; 390 and 47 ng/L for Salt River; and 146 and 23 ng/L for Eerste River, respectively. In suspended solids, concentrations for PFOS and PFOA were 28 and 26 ng/g for Diep River; 16 and less than limit of detection for Eerste River; and 14 and 5 ng/g for Salt River, respectively. Some of these concentrations are higher than those previously reported in similar studies in various countries, and this suggests there is a cause for concern, in the Western Cape, South Africa, particularly in catchments where river and ground water is drawn for agricultural purposes in the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ continuous monitoring at high frequency is used to collect water quality information about water bodies. However, it is crucial that the collected data be evaluated and validated for the appropriate interpretation of the data so as to ensure that the monitoring programme is effective. Software tools for data quality assessment with a practical orientation are proposed. As water quality data often contain redundant information, multivariate methods can be used to detect correlations, pertinent information among variables and to identify multiple sensor faults. While principal component analysis can be used to reduce the dimensionality of the original variable data set, monitoring of some statistical metrics and their violation of confidence limits can be used to detect faulty or abnormal data and can help the user apply corrective action(s). The developed algorithms are illustrated with automated monitoring systems installed in an urban river and at the inlet of a wastewater treatment plant [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revision of existing methodologies for generating monthly-flow series at ungauged basins based on multivariate nonlinear correlation has led to a simple two-parameter model. While the existing methodology used hydrological, meteorological and geomorphologic input data, the proposed model requires hydrological and geomorphologic input data only. The proposed methodology requires formation of separate pools of donor catchments for model parameter estimates. The proposed two-parameter model and improvement in the sphere of homogeneous region identification were verified using 195 runoff data sets from hydrologic stations in Serbia in the 1961-2005 period, divided into three non-overlapping 15-year periods. Nash-Sutcliffe's model efficiency coefficient (NSE) was used to assess the: (1) quality of proposed model with identified model parameters; (2) quality of a nonlinear multivariate equation for standard normal variables estimation with identified model parameters; (3) quality of proposed model with model parameter estimates. Generated time-series statistics and nonlinear multivariate equation quality are also evaluated. Five model calibration and validation results are shown. Generated flow series variation coefficient is the best replicated statistics with relative absolute error less than 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over a 2-year period, from January 2009 to December 2010, water samples were collected from three rivers (Klip, Rietspruit and Suikerbosrand) in the Vaal River System, South Africa. Enteric viruses were recovered by a glass wool adsorption-elution method and concentrated using polyethylene glycol/sodium chloride precipitation. Sapoviruses (SaVs) were detected using published sapovirus (SaV)-specific primers and Taqman probes in a two-step real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Based on sequence analysis of the 5-end of the capsid gene, SaVs were genotyped. In 2009, SaVs were detected in 39% (15/38) of samples from the Klip river, 83% (5/6) from the Rietspruit and 14% (1/7) of samples from the Suikerbosrand river. In 2010, SaVs were detected in 54% (14/26) of Klip river samples, 92% (11/12) from the Rietspruit and 20% (2/10) of samples from the Suikerbosrand river. SaV strains identified in the water samples were characterised into several GI and GII genotypes. The presence of SaVs in these rivers indicates human faecal contamination which may pose a potential health risk to persons exposed to these water sources during domestic or recreational activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of river pollution and assessment of spatial and temporal variation in hydrochemistry are essential to river water pollution control in the context of rapid economic growth and growing pollution threats in China. In this study, we focused on hydrochemical characteristics of the Luanhe River Basin (China) and evaluation of 12 hydrochemical variables obtained from 32 monitoring stations during 2001-2010. In each study year, the streams were monitored in the three hydrological periods (April, August, and October) to observe differences in the impacts of agricultural activity and rainfall pattern. Multivariate statistical methods were applied to the data set, and the river water hydrochemical characteristics were assessed using the water quality identification index (WQIIM). The results showed that parameters had variable contribution to water quality status in different months except for ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N) and total nitrogen (TN), which were the most important parameters in contributing to water quality variations for all three periods. Results of WQIIM revealed that 18 sites were classified as 'meeting standard' while the other 14 sites were classified as 'not meeting standard', with most of the seriously polluted sites located in urban area, mainly due to discharge of wastewater from domestic and industrial sources. Sites with low pollution level were located primarily in smaller tributaries, whereas sites of medium and high pollution levels were in the main river channel and the larger tributaries. Our findings provide valuable information and guidance for water pollution control and water resource management in the Luanhe River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the ecological environment of plain rivers within Haihe River basin is questionable because of severe water shortages. Most of the rivers dry up regularly and it is therefore necessary to take measures to improve the river ecological environment. Meanwhile, flood control is the principal function for most of the dried-up rivers, so river regulation works for flood control also should be undertaken. In this paper, some measures of river regulation were selected applied to the Haihe River basin, taking these measures not only ensure the river security but also realize its ecological benefit. Examples of the application of selected measures for the representative rivers, Yongding River and Hutuo River, both located within the Haihe River basin, are also assessed. These measures provide practical solutions to ecological and flood control problems of dried-up rivers, are generic in nature, and could therefore be applied to other same type rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic musks (PMs), widely used in the cosmetic and perfume industries, are gaining attention as a new type of persistent organic pollutant (POP). The related contamination in developing countries, such as China, where the use of these compounds is increasing, needs to be closely monitored. This work systematically studied the distribution profile (water-suspended particulate-sedimentporewater) of PMs in Haihe River, China. The average concentrations of PMs were comparable to those of the traditional POPs. The typical PMs (galaxolide and tonalide) exhibited different environmental behaviors in various media. Water played a more significant role than suspended particulates in the transport of pollutants. Importantly, this work explored the relationships among PMs, surfactant, phosphorus, carbon, salinity, heavy metals and pesticides. Unlike previous reports focusing on the relationships among PMs, wastewater discharge and population distribution, this work innovatively studied the distribution characteristics of pollutants by principal components analysis. The results suggest that PMs can be used as a chemical marker indicating domestic contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of visual clarity in streams by diffuse sources of fine sediment is a cause of water quality impairment in New Zealand and internationally, in this paper we introduce the concept of a load of optical cross section (LOCS), which can be used for load-based management of light-attenuating substances and for water quality models that are based on mass accounting. In this approach, the beam attenuation coefficient (units of m-1) is estimated from the inverse of the visual clarity (units of m) measured with a black disc. This beam attenuation coefficient can also be considered as an optical cross section (OCS) per volume of water, analogous to a concentration. The instantaneous 'flux' of cross section is obtained from the attenuation coefficient multiplied by the water discharge, and this can be accumulated over time to give an accumulated `load' of cross section (LOCS). Moreover, OCS is a conservative quantity, in the sense that the OCS of two combined water volumes is the sum of the OCS of the individual water volumes (barring effects such as coagulation, settling, or sorption). The LOCS can be calculated for a water quality station using rating curve methods applied to measured time series of visual clarity and flow. This approach was applied to the sites in New Zealand's National Rivers Water Quality Network (NRWQN). Although the attenuation coefficient follows roughly a power relation with flow at some sites, more flexible bess rating curves are required at other sites. The hybrid mechanistic-statistical catchment model SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes), which is based on a mass balance for mean annual load, was then applied to the NRWQN dataset. Preliminary results from this model are presented, highlighting the importance of factors related to erosion, such as rainfall, slope, hardness of catchment rock types, and the influence of pastoral development on the load of optical cross section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence and distribution of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in surface water of the Weihe River basin (eight mainstream sampling points and 15 tributary sampling points) in the Shaanxi section were investigated during the dry season, level period (spring), wet season and level period (autumn). The PAEs tested for were diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The testing proceeded by millipore filtration, then solid phase extraction and then gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination for all examined PAEs. The monitoring results indicated that, in terms of seasonal changes, concentration of the PAEs in the mainstream is: Dry season> Level period (spring)> wet season≈ Level period (autumn). An environmental risk assessment was then performed on PAE pollution levels of the weihe River basin. This paper employed a risk assessment methodology to evaluate the potential adverse health effects of the individual PAE compounds according to their carcinogenicities. For DEP, DBP and DEHP, a low Risk Index (all of them were lower than the specified level of 1.0) reveals that small non-carcinogenic risks exist resulting from the presence of trace concentrations in the surface water of the Weihe River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in the impervious area due to urbanisation have been shown to have negative impacts on the physical and ecological condition of streams, primarily through increased volume and frequency of runoff. The harvesting and detention of runoff has a potential to decrease this impact. This paper describes the effects of urbanisation on catchment flow and of stormwater harvesting on reducing those adverse impacts on a stream in South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia. A largely undeveloped catchment located southeast of Brisbane city was calibrated and validated using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM). This model was used to investigate the effect of a range of future increases in urbanisation (represented by impervious area) on stream hydrology as well as the potential of stormwater harvesting to return the catchments to predevelopment flow conditions. Stormwater harvesting was modelled according to flow frequency measures specified in current SEQ development guidelines. These guidelines stipulate the capture of the first 10 mm of runoff from impervious areas of 0-40% and the first 15mm from impervious areas of 40% or greater for urban developments, we found that increases in the impervious area resulted in increases in the mean, frequency and duration of high flows, and an increase in the mean rate of rise and fall for storm events in the catchment. However, the predevelopment (non-urbanised) flow distribution was very flashy in comparison with all urbanised scenarios; i.e. it had the quickest response to rainfall indicated by a high rate of rise to and fall from peak flow volume, followed by a return to zero flow conditions, Capturing the runoff according to the development guidelines resulted in a reduction in flow towards the flow distribution of a lower impervious area, however this was insufficient to meet predevelopment conditions. This suggests a stronger influence of impervious areas in this catchment on the volume of runoff than flow frequency measures are able to ameliorate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydromorphological deficits of European rivers and creeks are a major reason for the fact that the good ecological status stipulated by the European Water Framework Directive has not been achieved. In order to overcome these deficits, the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia calls for the implementation of a radiating effect concept to facilitate the planning of cost-effective restoration measures. The radiating effect concept states that natural or near-natural sections of water bodies have a positive impact on adjacent hydromorphologically altered sections. Transforming this concept into concrete measures will contribute to creating and boosting such radiating effects. We have applied the radiating effect concept to 11 small streams in a low mountain range and assessed its efficiency by comparing the biological and hydromorphological data of 48 sampling sites. Our findings show that near-natural stream sections have a positive effect on the ecological status of adjacent hydrornorphologically altered sections. This study provides an innovative approach to the implementation of Integrated River Basin Management at a local scale. Its results are potentially of major interest to water managers dealing with the challenge of prioritizing river restoration measures. Nevertheless, specific issues such as assessing the influence of artificial barriers limiting the radiating effects need to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the computed nitrogen retention, the distribution and the extent of riparian floodplains of three German rivers, as input data and application of the retention model has not been carried out on landscape scale so far. The Software FLYS 2.1.3 was used for the calculation of the floodplain extent and depth at certain discharges. Thus a first empirical approach is suggested to quantify the share of load that enters the floodplain (incoming load) and the extent of floodplain as variables depending on discharge ratios. Measured loads have subsequently been applied to the presented approach to calculate incoming loads on a monthly and yearly basis for the years 1999 and 2002. Finally, linear and exponential yearly retention models were applied, obtained from the literature. Large variations in the retention results were found between the years and the models and between monthly and yearly calculations. in hydrologically average years, calculated retention rates are in the range of reported values (440-670 kg N ha-1 yr-1), whereas for wet years, retention values account for 1,400 kg N ha-1 yr-1. Consequently, this approach needs to be improved to reduce overestimation by considering more complex characteristics of the floodplain, but generally its application is possible on the landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational boating represents a major human use of inland waters in many regions. However, boating tourism may affect the ecological integrity of surface waters in multiple ways. In particular, surface waves produced by boating may disturb freshwater invertebrates, such as interrupting the filtration activity of benthic mussels. As mussels may significantly contribute to self-purification, disturbance may have crucial impacts on water quality, and thus on water tourism. In this paper we calculate the carrying capacity of a river section for sustainable boating tourism based on the preservation of water quality. This approach is complemented by spatial and social approaches for carrying capacity estimates. The ecological carrying capacity significantly decreases with lower water levels during summer. Hence, the analysis of variables that influence the river's carrying capacity allows the formation of recommendations for management measures that integrate social, touristic and ecological aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contents of 16 priority water-borne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, potential external pollution sources and sediment from the famous landscape of the Qinghuai River were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The distribution, composition, source and ecological risk of PAHs were analyzed. The following results were obtained: (1) Benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[ghi] perylene were not detected in all samples. The total contents of 16 priority PAHs (PAH16) varied from 52.5 to 745.3 ng l(-1) with the average of 174.0 ng l(-1) in water, from 96.0 to 1,064.6 ng l(-1) with the average of 329.2 ng l(-1) in potential sources, from 931.7 to 15,295.5 ng g(-1) with the average of 7,133.6 ng g(-1) in sediments. (2) The concentration of PAH16 in water is lower than in sediment and higher rings are more easily detected in sediment. The percentage of higher ring (four- to six-rings) PAHs accounted for more than 55.6% of PAHs in sediment. (3) The value of FLA/(FLA+Pyr) was higher than 0.5 at most sampling points which illustrated the source was related with petrogenic such as liquid fossil fuel combustion. (4) The potential ecosystem risk of low ring PAH for upstream conflux of external Qinhuai River was less than 10%, while it was 10-50% for other sampling points; The four rings PAH shows lower potential ecosystem risk than other ring PAH in this study area; Dibenzo [ah] anthracene (DahA) shows high potential ecosystem risk at all sampling points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undular hydraulic jumps are characterized by a smooth rise of the free surface, followed by a train of stationary waves. These jumps sometimes occur in natural waterways and rivers. Numerical difficulties are especially distinct when the flow condition is close to the critical value because of the high sensitivity of the near-critical flow field to flow and channel conditions. Furthermore, the free surface has a wavy shape, which may indicate the occurrence of several transitions from supercritical to subcritical states and vice versa (i.e., undular hydraulic jumps). In this study, a flow model is used to predict an undular hydraulic jump in a rectangular open channel. The model is based on the general two-dimensional, Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes flow equations. The resulting set of partial differential equations is solved using the FLOW-3D solver. The results are compared with the experimental data to validate the model. The comparative analysis shows that the proposed model yields good results. Several types of undular hydraulic jumps occurring in different situations are then simulated to prove the potential application of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important causes for poor water quality in urban rivers in Brazil is the low collection efficiency of the sewer system due to unforeseen interconnections with the stormwater drainage system. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Brazilian cities have adopted separate systems for sanitary sewers and stormwater runoff. Gradually these two systems became interconnected. A major challenge faced today by water managers in Brazil is to find efficient and low cost solutions to deal with this mixed system. The current situation poses an important threat to the improvement of the water quality in urban rivers and lakes. This article presents an evaluation of the water quality parameters and the diffuse pollution loads during rain events in the Pinheiros River, a tributary of the Tietê River in Sã o Paulo. It also presents different types of integrated solutions for reducing the pollution impact of combined systems, based on the European experience in urban water management. An evaluation of their performance and a comparison with the separate system used in most Brazilian cities is also presented. The study is based on an extensive water quality monitoring program that was developed for a special investigation in the Pinheiros River and lasted 2.5 years. Samples were collected on a daily basis and water quality variables were analyzed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Two hundred water quality variables were monitored at 53 sampling points. During rain events, additional monitoring was carried out using an automated sampler. Pinheiros River is one of the most important rivers in the Sã o Paulo Metropolitan Region and it is also a heavily polluted one [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's water resources are unequally distributed over space and time and an already stressed water resource situation will only be exacerbated by climate change if current predictions are correct. The potential for conflict over increasingly strained water resources in South Africa is thus very real. In order to deal with these complex problems, national legislation is demanding that water resource management be decentralized to the local level where active participation can take place in an integrated manner in accordance with the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). However, administrative and political boundaries rarely match those of catchments as, throughout South Africa, rivers have been employed extensively to delineate administrative and political boundaries at a number of spatial scales. The aim of this research is to determine if rivers act as dividing or uniting features in a socio-political landscape and whether topography will influence their role in this context. The Orange-Senqu River is used as a case study. This paper goes on to consider the implications of this for catchment management in South Africa. No study known to the authors has explored the effect of the river itself, and its topographic setting, on the drivers that foster either conflict or cooperation, and allow for participatory management. This study presents evidence that the topography of a catchment has the ability to aggravate or reduce the impact of the variables considered by water managers and thereby influence the role of a river as a dividing or uniting feature. South Africa's proposed form of decentralized water management will have to contend with the effects of different topographies on the way in which rivers are perceived and utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, δ15N and δ18O-NO3- values, as well as concentrations of some major ion tracers were determined in seasonal water samples from Taihu Lake and major watersheds to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of nitrate sources and assess the underlying nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry process. The results lead to the conclusion that the nitrate concentrations in Taihu Lake are lower in summer than that in winter due to the dilution effect of wet deposition. In winter, sewage and manure were the primary nitrate sources in major inflow rivers and North Taihu Lake (NTL), while nitrate sources in East Taihu Lake (ETL) probably derived from soil organic N. In summer, atmospheric deposition and sewage/manure inputs appear to play an important role in controlling the distribution of nitrates in the whole lake. The δ18O-NO3- values suggest that the nitrate produced from microbial nitrification is another major nitrate source during both winter and summer months. The variations in isotopic values in nitrate suggest denitrification enriched the heavier isotopes of nitrate in NTL in winter and in ETL in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends previous work comparing the response of water quality models under uncertainty. A new model, the River Water Quality Model no. 1 (RWQM1), is compared to the previous work of two commonly used water quality models. Additionally, the effect of conceptual model scaling within a single modelling framework, as allowed by RWQM1, is explored under uncertainty. Model predictions are examined using against real-world data for the Potomac River with a Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation used to assess model response surfaces to uncertainty. Generally, it was found that there are tangible model characteristics that are closely tied to model complexity and thresholds for these characteristics were discussed. The novel work has yielded an illustrative example but also a conceptually scaleable water quality modelling tool, alongside defined metrics to assess when scaling is required under uncertainty. The resulting framework holds substantial, unique, promise for a new generation of modelling tools that are capable of addressing classically intractable problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing concern about occurrences of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the environment due to their persistent, bioaccumulation, and potentially toxic effects. We investigated contamination of 11 PFCs (C4-C12) in the Yodo River system, which is a major source of drinking water for more than 11 million people of Kansai region in Japan. PFCs were detected in higher concentration even exceeding more than 1000 ng/L in some cases. Composition profile of total PFCs concentration showed that PFOS, PFHxA, PFOA, and PFNA were occurring dominantly in the river system. PFOS and PFOA concentration were nearly proportional to a previous study in the same river system, indicating continuous sink of the compounds into the river system. Although discharge of PFCs from wastewater effluents at upstream could be one of the major point sources, concentration did not exceed 29.4 ng/L at the downstream of main Yodo River, possibly, due to dilution effects. Total mass load of PFCs in mainstream of Yodo River was estimated 451.7 g/d based on observed river discharge and PFCs concentration. Results showed that Yodo River system could have a unique upstream-downstream linkage of PFCs contamination and the river could be a continuous pathway of PFCs exposure to the people of Kansai region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five dominant microorganisms including four kinds of Pseudomonas and one kind of Bacillus were isolated from the Songhua River. The organic pollutants removal potential and communitycomposition of these five dominant microorganisms immobilized on activated carbon filter, which is called the bio-enhanced activated carbon filter (BEAC), were investigated to compare with the naturally formed biological activated carbon (BAC) filter. Songhua River was used as the raw water. The pilot scale test results showed the biomass in the BEAC filter increased initially and then stabilized after 45 d of operation with an average value of 192 nmolPO4/g carbon. The corresponding biological activity reached 1,368 ng ATP/g carbon. The gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) results showed that the BEAC filter degraded the toxic organic substances more effectively than the BAC filter, especially for halogenated hydrocarbons and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis revealed the eco-system of five dominant microorganisms did not change in the BEAC filter even on 180 d of operation. Two of the five dominant microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas balearica, had high biological activity and were more adaptable to the surface of the carbon media than the other three dominant microorganisms. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph showed a large quantity of microorganisms developed on the BEAC filter. The toxicity test using Deltatox Bioassay Technology Analyzer indicated that the dominant microorganisms were safe to be applied in drinking water treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the Hirose River and its tributaries, located in the upper Tone River basin, in the Kanto region of Japan, was investigated. NDMA was detected at high levels in the Arato River, one of the tributaries of the Hirose River, at high concentrations (up to 2,100 ng/L). Due to the confluence of the Arato River, NDMA concentration in the Hirose River increased (up to 61 ng/L). The NDMA in the Arato River was due to industrial discharge from a livestock processing plant located near the river. There were three discharges at the plant, with NDMA concentrations of 78, 11, and 33,000 ng/L. The industrial discharges from the livestock processing plant did not contain significant amounts of NDMA precursors on chioramination. On the other hand, sewage effluent was shown to contain NOMA precursors. The amounts of NDMA precursors in the sewage effluent that were rapidly transformed into NDMA were considered to be lower than those slowly transformed into NDMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan, more than 20% of the major rivers are mildly to heavily polluted by domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastewaters due to the low percentage of sewers connected to wastewater treatment plants. Thus, constructed or engineered wetlands have been adopted as the major alternatives to clean up polluted rivers. Constructed wetlands are also applied as the tertiary wastewater treatment systems for the wastewater polishment to meet water reuse standards with lower operational costs. The studied Kaoping River Rail Bridge Constructed Wetland (KRRBCW) is the largest constructed wetland in Taiwan. It is a multi-function wetland and is used for polluted creek water purification and secondary wastewater polishment before it is discharged into the Kaoping River. Although constructed wetlands are feasible for contaminated water treatment, wetland sediments are usually the sinks for organics and metals. In this study, water and sediment samples were collected from the major wetland basins in KRRBCW. The investigation results show that more than 97% of total coliforms (TC), 55% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and 30% of nutrients [e.g. total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP)] were removed via the constructed wetland system. However, results from the sediment analyses show that wetland sediments contained high concentrations of metals (e.g. Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Mn), organic contents (sediment oxygen demand = 1.7 to 7.6 g O2/m2 d), and nutrients (up to 18.7 g/kg of TN and 1.22 g/kg of TN). Thus, sediments should be excavated periodically to prevent the release the pollutants into the wetland system and causing the deterioration of wetland water quality. Results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and nucleotide sequence analysis reveal that a variation in microbial diversity in the wetland systems was observed. Results from the DGGE analysis indicate that all sediment samples contained significant amounts of microbial ribospecies, which might contribute to the carbon degradation and nitrogen removal. Gradual disappearance of E. coli was also observed along the flow courses through natural attenuation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to carry out water quality assessment and to identify sources responsible for deterioration of quality in the Malad creek, Mumbai, India. Creek receives sewage and wastewater from various drains and partially treated effluent from Malad and Versova treatment facilities. To assess the water quality, sampling locations were identified in the creek based on discharges of wastewater and sewage. Identified locations were traced in physical space by a global positioning system. Samples were collected during low and high tides and analyzed for physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters such as pH, Turbidity, DO, BOD, NH3-N, PO4 and FC and compared with SW-II Standards. Parameters were also analyzed statistically and correlated to determine the relationship amongst the parameters using SPSS software. The idea was to determine the probable causes contributing to the pollution in the creek. Various options were suggested for improvement in the creek quality based on water quality assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the occurrence and the removal of a wide spectrum of pesticides in municipal wastewaters from the Agrinio region, Greece. Analytical determination was carried out by means of solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography equipped with flame thermionic and mass spectrometric detection. The herbicides atrazine, alachlor, isoproturon, and s-metolachlor and the insecticides diazinon, methidathion, fenthion and chlorpyriphos, were more frequently detected in influent and effluent samples while they were also detected in river samples. Isoproturon and diazinon showed the highest concentrations in influent samples that reached concentrations up to 2,328 and 1,486 ng L-1, respectively. Secondary treatment and cumulative removal rates for herbicides and insecticides ranged between 23-91%, 21- > 99% and 36- > 99%, 38- > 99%, respectively. The data demonstrate that there are significant levels of pesticides entering river waterways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Runoff in North China has been dramatically declining in recent decades. Although climate change and human activity have been recognized as the primary driving factors, the magnitude of impact of each of the above factors on runoff decline is still not entirely clear. In this study, Mian River Basin (a watershed that is heavily influenced by human activity) was used as a proxy to quantify the contributions of human and climate to runoff decline in North China. SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model was used to isolate the possible impacts of man and climate. SWAT simulations suggest that while climate change accounts for only 23.89% of total decline in mean annual runoff, human activity accounts for the larger 76.11% in the basin. The gap between the simulated and measured runoff has been widening since 1978, which can only be explained in terms of increasing human activity in the region. Furthermore, comparisons of similar annual precipitation in 3 dry-years and 3 wet-years representing hydrological processes in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s were used to isolate the magnitude of runoff decline under similar annual precipitations. The results clearly show that human activity, rather than climate, is the main driving factor of runoff decline in the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, cross-section method was used to estimate the groundwater and nutrients discharge fluxing to the Bohai Sea from the Yellow River Delta. The flux of shallow phreatic groundwater (within 10 m) in the Yellow River Farm discharging into sea was 2.9 × 10-5 m³/m d in 2004 and 3.1 × 10-5 m³/m d in 2005. Time distribution monthly mean flux is consistent with the Yellow River's runoff but taking on lag effect. And the volume of the phreatic water discharging from the whole delta is 3.71-3.77 × 10-3 m³, which is 2 × 1025% of the Yellow River's annual runoff. The transport amount of shallow confined water (buried depth 15-20 m) from 2004 to 2005 was 5.7-6.2 × 10-3 m³/m d in the Yellow River delta, 0.0037-0.004% of the runoff of Yellow River. There is low concentration of NO3- , NH4+ and PO43- but high dissolved SiO2 in the shallow confined aquifer. Despite the high concentration of phreatic nitrate, it weakly influences the seawater because of the little flux of discharge into sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the framework of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) the nutrient and heavy metal levels within the Kharaa river basin were investigated. By the application of the MONERIS model, which quantifies nutrient emissions into river basins, various point and diffuse pathways, as well as nutrient load in rivers, could be analysed. Despite seasonal variations and inputs of point sources (e.g. Wastewater Treatment Plant Darkhan) the nutrient concentrations in most of the subbasins are on a moderate level. This shows evidence for a nutrient limited ecosystem as well as dilution effects. However, in the middle and lower reaches heavy metal concentrations of arsenic and mercury, which are linked to mining activities in many cases, are a point of concern. Thus measures are necessary to protect the valuable chemical and ecological status of the Kharaa River and its tributaries. As a result of the growing economic pressure Mongolia will enhance the agricultural production by irrigation. Until 2015 about 60% of the agricultural land shall be irrigated. In addition the gold mining activities shall increase by 20% a year. Both sectors have a high demand for water quantity and quality. The model MONERIS allows the assessment of measures which are inevitable to protect the water quality under shrinking water availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical modelling can be a useful tool to assess a receiving water body's quality state. Indeed, the use of mathematical models in river water quality management has become a common practice to show the cause-effect relationship between emissions and water body quality and to design as well as assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures. In the present study, a hydrodynamic river water quality model is presented. The model consists of a quantity and a quality sub-model. The quantity sub-model is based on the Saint Venant equations. The solution of the Saint Venant equations is obtained by means of an explicit scheme based on space-time conservation. The method considers the unification of space and time and the enforcement of flux conservation in both space and time. On the other hand, the quality sub-model is based on the advection dispersion equation. Particularly, the principle of upstream weighting applied to finite difference methods is employed. This method enable us to reduce the numerical dispersion avoiding oscillation phenomena. The optimal weighting coefficient was calculated on the basis of the mesh Peclet number. Regarding the quality processes, the model takes into account the main physical/chemical processes; these are degradation of dissolved carbonaceous substances, ammonium oxidation, algal uptake and denitrification, dissolved oxygen balance, including depletion by degradation processes and supply by physical reaeration and photosynthetic production. To properly simulate the river water quality, four state variables were considered: DO, BOD, NH4, and NO. The model was applied to the Savena River (Italy), which is the focus of a European-financed project for which quantity and quality data were gathered. A sensitivity analysis of the model output compared to the model input or parameters was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]