A national strategy for identification, prioritisation and management of pollution from abandoned non-coal mine sites in England and Wales. I.: Methodology development and initial results

In regions affected by historic non-coal (principally metal) mining activity, government agencies are often faced with the challenge of deploying limited remedial resources at abandoned mine sites to achieve maximum improvements in the chemical and ecological quality of impacted ground and surface waters. As such, strategies for the defensible allocation of public funds require comprehensive and systematic frameworks by which to identify and prioritise polluting sites for remediation. This paper describes the development and initial findings of such a national initiative in England and Wales which allies catchment-scale environmental impact assessments using existing public archive data, with recognition of the uncertainty in impact appraisals arising from disparities in data availability between sites and regions. The methodology identifies polluting sites and takes account not only of the chemical and ecological impacts of mine water discharges on receiving watercourses, but also of socio-economic factors such as conservation and heritage concerns, which can both impede or complement efforts to remediate mine sites. Using a Geographic Information System database and a suite of spatial analyses employing Boolean operators, both the extent of the pollution problem from abandoned non-coal mines in England and Wales (6% of 7815 surface water bodies are affected nationally) and the insight that can be gleaned from systematic analyses of existing archive data are highlighted. The results of the nationwide survey can be used as a dynamic database to inform future remedial planning, in terms of prioritising impacted river basins and abandoned non-coal mine sites themselves for either remediation or future monitoring efforts. As the assessment framework is built upon existing water quality and ecological data and mine site/geological data, there is considerable scope for the approach to be applied elsewhere where the legacy of historic mining persists through the widespread pollution of the aquatic environment.     

The Impact of Intensive Dairy Farming Activities on River Quality: The Eastern Cleddau Catchment Study

Pollution from farm wastes has been one of the principal causes of deterioration in river quality in recent years. However, little is understood of how, and which, farming activities affect the chemical and biological quality of rivers. To address this problem, a field study has been initiated in the Eastern Cleddau catchment, West Wales, to investigate relationships between land use, farm waste management practices and river quality.
Water quality of small tributaries in this area is poor, and intensive chemical monitoring has shown that discharges from farmyards are a major source of pollution. Rainfall has been shown to exacerbate this effect either through field runoff or wastes washing directly from the farmyards. The status of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in these tributaries is poor and, typically, only a few pollution-tolerant species are present.
Small tributaries from farms appear to affect both the water chemistry and biology of larger watercourses, although this effect may be quite localized.
Future research will look at ways to reduce the impact of farm wastes on river quality. This will provide the basis for producing recommendations and guidelines for catchment management aimed at minimizing pollution of rivers from farming practices.     

Effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on the microplankton and microbial self-purification capabilities of the Biobío River, Chile

Most studies focus on the ecotoxicity of pulp and paper mill effluents, rather than on how they affect the physicochemical and biological structure and the intrinsic ecological capabilities of the receiving watercourses. We investigated the impact of such effluents on the water quality, microplankton system and microbial self-purification capacity (degradation of polymeric organic compounds via extracellular enzymes) of the Biobío River in Chile. The physicochemical impact on the water quality was indicated by raised conductivity, by the pollution of the water body with nitrate, nitrite and soluble reactive phosphorus, by the appearance of tannin and lignin, and by the steady accumulation of inorganic and organic suspended matter (SPM) along the river. From the biological structure of the microplankton system, very low and declining concentrations of chlorophyll a and heterotrophic flagellate densities were determined. The pulp and paper mill effluents introduced high bacterial abundances and biomass concentrations into the river water. This reflects the effective use made of the abundantly available inorganic and organic nutrients within this industrial and municipal process water by bacteria adapted to these extreme environments, additionally supported by concomitant low grazing pressure derivable from low heterotrophic flagellate abundances. Indeed, in one section of the river affected by a pulp mill, the plant was found to significantly contribute to the self-cleaning capacity of the river. However, this elevated degradation capacity was not enough to compensate for the additionally discharged organic material which, together with the toxic effects of the paper plant effluents, significantly interferes with the ecological status of the Biobío River.     

Agriculture and Water Quality: A Regional Study

Water quality, measured on a fisheries ecosystem scale of 1 (good/salmonid) to 6 (bad/fish absent), of forty-two lowland streams in two Northern Ireland river catchments was inversely correlated with the stocking rate of grazing animals. A decrease in water quality of one class was associated with an increase in the combined grazing/stocking rate of cattle and sheep of 0.6 dairy cow equivalents/ha. This dairy cow equivalent stocking rate was significantly correlated with maximum BOD and total amm.N concentrations and minimum dissolved-oxygen levels. The worst pollution events, with BOD concentrations in excess of 100 mg/1, occurred at the end of May and were caused by discharges of silage effluent. Smaller BOD peaks, which occurred in late winter and early spring, were related to the land spreading of animal slurries. It was concluded that poultry and pig farms were not having a major impact on water quality.     

In situ biomonitoring of freshwater quality using the New Zealand mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) exposed to waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluent discharges

Mollusk species have been shown to be sensitive to various endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) at environmentally relevant concentrations. Waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are a major source of potential or known EDC in the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to develop an in situ exposure method using the New Zealand mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Molluska, Hydrobiidea) to assess the impact of water quality on the life traits of this species, by focusing on its reproduction. The impact of three WWTP discharges on three different receiving rivers was studied. The effects of WWTP effluent on adult survival, weight, reproduction and vertebrate-like sex-steroid levels in snails were monitored for three to four weeks. Although the physicochemical and hydrological parameters varied greatly between the rivers, the caging experiments allowed us to detect significant impairment of the life traits of snails when exposed downstream of the WWTPs discharge. While adult survival was not affected by exposure, reproduction was significantly impacted downstream from the WWTP effluent discharges (60-70% decrease of embryos without shells after three to four weeks exposure) independently of the river. Modulations of steroid levels proved to be an informative parameter with an increase of testosterone downstream of the discharges, and increases and decreases of 17β-estradiol levels according to site. The endpoints used proved to be an adapted method for field exposures and allowed the discrimination between upstream and downstream sites.     

Plasma vitellogenin levels and gonadal morphology of wild carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in a receiving rivers downstream of sewage treatment plants

A field study was carried out in order to assess, in a wild cyprinid fish, the biological effects related to the exposure to estrogenic compounds. The gonadosomic index (GSI), plasma vitellogenin (VTG) level and histological observations of gonads were performed to evaluate the reproductive health in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from three rivers receiving sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents (Guadarrama, Henares and Jarama rivers, Spain) and from a reference site (Lozoya river). No significative differences in male GSI between sites were described. Only in the 18% of fish from Guadarrama river were elevated plasma VTG levels detected. The presence of oocytes in the testis was not found in any of males examined. The results suggest that the released estrogenic compounds by STPs effluents are not enough capable to adversely affect the gonadal development of the fish studied. Additional studies will be required to assess the risk of estrogenic compounds on fish from other sites of this area.     

Stream quality in a small urbanised catchment

River-length patterns in the chemistry and biology of the Charlton Brook, an unclassified watercourse in Sheffield, England, have been examined. Five sampling sites for macroinvertebrates and pollutant analysis were used, in conjunction with Environment Agency's General Quality Assessment (GQA) methodologies and hydraulic analysis of the catchment. Sites were strategically located to account for the tributaries and the brook downstream of their confluence, to assess the potential impact from surface water outfalls (SWOs). Variations in GQA parameters indicate a significant drop in quality downstream of the SWOs that discharge to the study watercourse, with a marked drop in biological diversity noted at the onset of urbanisation. The decline in biological quality however is greater than that suggested by physicochemical analysis alone. There was a significant inverse relationship between impermeable area and biological diversity. Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals in sediment from the watercourse showed significant yet irregular variations between sites. The potential toxicity of instream metal concentrations was determined using cumulative criterion unit (CCU) scores, which highlighted cadmium, copper and lead as the major sources of potential chronic instream toxicity. The threshold for likely harm to aquatic life is exceeded at all sites. In the absence of different physical characteristics, comparisons of the chemical and biological data indicate that the benthic macroinvertebrate population of such watercourses are adversely affected by the stormwater inputs.     

The river landscapes of London and the Thames catchment: their status and future

Recent river landscape assessments of the eastern part of the Thames catchment have enabled a better understanding of their landscape status and value. These rivers have formed the focal point for human settlement and have been extensively affected by their use. Flood defence through channelization and surfacing of the watercourses has been highly detrimental to their landscape quality. Flooding has itself been exacerbated by catchment urbanization and by land drainage systems. The issues affecting the landscape planning and design of river systems are examined and suggestions made as to how they can be addressed.     

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR MINEWATER TREATMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND ECOLOGICAL RECOVERY

The ecology of the River Pelenna (in South Wales) was impoverished by polluted discharges from abandoned coal mines. A series of passive constructed wetlands was created in order to treat these discharges and to improve the ecology of the river. A three-year Environment Agency R&D project investigated the performance, environmental benefits and sustainability of the constructed wetlands. It showed that the treatment systems were removing most of the iron contamination. In the reaches downstream from the minewaters, the dissolved-iron concentration quickly dropped below the target level. Invertebrate abundance, trout and riverine bird populations increased in following years. However, occasional overflows from the systems have significantly affected the ecology of one stretch of river. The research work has provided an insight into the potential for ecological recovery associated with future minewater treatment.     

Water quality assessment of the River Kabul at Peshawar, Pakistan: Industrial and urban wastewater impacts

Untreated wastewater discharges may have significant short term and long term effects on the quality of a river system. Present study was undertaken to assess the present status of the water quality of the River Kabul near Peshawar in Pakistan. Seven sites were sampled upstream and downstream in the River Kabul in 2009. Samples were also taken from waste water channel (Budni Drain) that carries waste-water of Peshawar Industrial Estate as well as the domestic sewers to assess the pollution contribution of these sources to the River Kabul. Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the samples were analyzed during the study, as well as possible sources of contamination were investigated. The study showed that the pollution level in river is rising from upstream (at city entrance) to downstream (at city exit) due to discharge of domestic waste water effluents, agricultural activities, and solid waste dumping directly into the river.     

Metal contamination in sediments from a desalination plant effluent outfall area

To assess the impact of seawater desalination effluent discharges on the receiving water body, the outfall area of a small desalination facility on the northwestern coast of the Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia) was investigated for metal contamination. Sediment samples were collected from a 6 x 6 km2 area and were analyzed for metal concentrations. Cadmium, cobalt, copper, mercury, vanadium, iron, phosphorus and zinc were very high in the sediment samples from the immediate vicinity of the outfall, and decreased progressively away from it. Contour maps of elemental concentrations confirm the above conclusions. Barium and chromium showed a decreasing trend towards the outfall, but this could be related to drilling activities in a nearby oil field (barium and chromium were high in the drilling mud). Concentrations of nickel, lead, and titanium exhibited no general trend in the sediment samples.     

Statutory Water Quality Objectives on the River Cam

The Government has announced its wishes to gradually introduce statutory water quality objectives in pilot catchments, commencing in late 1993. The River Cam is one of the catchments under consideration.
The paper describes the main physical features of the River Cam and its uses, which include salmonid and cyprinid fisheries, agricultural and industrial abstraction, and recreational pursuits.
Significant sewage and industrial discharges in the catchment, and their impact on water quality, are discussed, and current river quality is compared with established river quality objectives, EC requirements and proposed statutory water quality objectives. Procedures for setting the latter objectives are considered, together with monitoring and compliance assessment. Future effluent discharge standards are proposed, and options to achieve long-term water quality targets are suggested as part of a catchment management action plan.     

The Effects of Motorway Runoff on Watercourses in South-West Scotland

The paper examines the potential pollution of rivers due to surface-water discharges from newly-built sections of the A74(M) motorway in south-west Scotland. A method for assessing the theoretical risks of pollution of road drainage is compared with the results of discharge monitoring. The impact of motorway runoff on the invertebrate fauna of watercourses is also investigated.     

Extent of sewage pollution in coastal environment of Mumbai,India: an object‐based image analysis

The coastal water quality of Mumbai is deteriorating by receiving partially treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities, sewage discharges from ocean outfalls and discharges from point and non‐point sources in the creek and coast. A novel approach of object‐based image analysis has been used in this research study to assess the extent of sewage pollution in the coastal environment of Mumbai. For this, Indian Remote Sensing P6 Linear Imaging Self Scanning IV image was used for multiresolution segmentation and rule‐based image classification as per normalised difference water index and normalised difference turbidity index. Water quality regions as per classification were strongly correlated with observed water quality parameters. Based on classified regions and water quality parameters, extent of sewage pollution in the coast was ranked from high to least polluted. The approach developed in this methodology should be tested in similarly polluted waters to ascertain its adaptability for assessing the spatial extent of sewage pollution.     

Survey of priority substances entering thirty English wastewater treatment works

Crude influent sewages were collected from 30 English wastewater treatment works representing rural, urban and industrial catchments as part of a screening study to assess the significance of the concentrations of substances from the Water Framework Directive priority pollutants list in crude sewage. Composite samples were analysed for a range of determinands including metals and organic compounds. Of the determinands quantified, the pesticides were almost exclusively below the limit of detection. Most trace metals (with the exception of mercury) were detectable in all wastewaters, reflecting their ubiquitous nature. Organic determinands detected in the influent at μg/L levels included surfactants (linear alkylbenzene sulphonates and nonylphenol ethoxylates), phthalates (diethylhexyl phthalate), polynuclear hydrocarbons and solvents. Trace concentrations of trichlorobenzene, tributyltin and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 were detected in a limited number of works. Little correlation was observed between runoff or trade effluent inputs entering the works and determinand concentration (chromium being the only exception).     

Design of a monitoring network and assessment of the pollution on the Lerma river and its tributaries by wastewaters disposal

While the 2005 progress report of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals stresses out the need of a dramatic increase in investment to meet the sanitation target in the third world, it is important to anticipate about some parallel negative impacts that may have this optimistic programme (extension of sewer networks without sufficient treatment works). Research was initiated on Lerma River (Mexico), subjected to many rejects disposal, to design a monitoring network and evaluate the impact of wastewaters on its water quality. The discharges was inventorized, geo-positioned with a GPS and mapped, while the physico-chemical characteristics of the river water, its tributaries and main rejects were evaluated. Microtox system was used as an additional screening tool. Along the 60 km of the High Course of Lerma River (HCLR), 51 discharges, with a diameter or width larger than 0.3 m (including 7 small tributaries) were identified. Based on the inventory, a monitoring network of 21 sampling stations in the river and 13 in the important discharges (>2 m) was proposed. A great similitude was found between the average characteristics of the discharges and the river itself, in both the wet and dry seasons. Oxygen was found exhausted (<0.5 mg/L) almost all along the high course of the river, with COD and TDS average levels of 390 and 1980 mg/L in the dry season, against 150 and 400 mg/L in the wet season. In the dry season, almost all the sites along the river revealed some toxicity to the bacteria test species (2.9 to 150 TU, with an average of 27 TU). Same septic conditions and toxicity levels were observed in many of the discharges. Four of the six evaluated tributaries, as well as the lagoon (origin of the river), were relatively in better conditions (2 to 8 mg/L D.O., TU<1) than for the Lerma, acting as diluents and renewal of the HCLR flow rate. The river was shown to be quite a main sewer collector. The high surface water contamination by untreated wastewaters that is depicted in this research should be taken into account in the Millennium Goals strategies, by promoting treatment plan works simultaneously, when sewer networks in the third world would extend.     

An approach to setting ecological flow thresholds for southern English chalk streams

This paper presents a study of 10 English chalk streams in the River Thames Basin historically affected by abstraction of groundwater. Using macroinvertebrates, macrophytes and river discharge records from across 76 monitoring sites, and spanning the period 1992–2009 we assess how the communities change over time. River discharge is seen to be the most influential variable in biological community composition, and is used to calculate the annual average river discharge (in m³/s) needed to sustain different biological assemblages at each study site, from the lowest to the highest expression of fluvial aquatic community development. This represents a bottom‐up or site‐specific approach to the determination of ecological flow thresholds, from which more empirical trends may be inferred at regional level. The approach also provides a useful understanding of the timescales involved in the recovery of communities from drought.     

The effects of water management on annual maximum floods of Lake Como and River Adda at Lecco (Italy)

This paper presents the results of an analysis aimed to assess the impact exerted on the flood regime of Lake Como and its emissary by different kinds of waterworks in the Adda basin (Italy). This includes construction of reservoirs in the Alps, increase in flow capacity of the exutory and regulation of Lake Como. The assessment of the management effect on peak floods is of particular interest as flood damages could be particularly heavy in densely populated areas along the lake banks and in the river flood plain downstream of the lake. The analysis is carried out by comparing the annual maxima of Lake Como levels and the river Adda discharges at Lecco, at the lake exutory, in different real and hypothetical situations. Both the construction of alpine reservoirs and the improvement of flow capacity of the exutory decrease lake levels and flood discharges, while lake regulation (for irrigation and power production) increases them. The overall effect is a generalised reduction of the flood levels and a slight increase in the discharges with return periods lower than 10 years. The discharges with higher return periods, instead, remain unchanged. The difference between peak and mean daily discharges negligible in all cases disappears altogether for return periods higher than 10 years.     

Recovery of chromium(VI) from wastewaters with iron(III) hydroxide—I: Adsorption mechanism of chromium(VI) on iron(III) hydroxide

Chromium(VI) [Cr(VI)] is adsorbed as HCrO⁻₄ on iron(III) hydroxide at pH below 8.5. The Cr(VI) adsorption is suppressed by the presence of other anions such as SO²⁻₄ and SCN⁻, and enhanced by the presence of metal ions such as Cd(II) and Pb(II). The suppression is due to the competitive adsorption of other anions, depending upon the stability of their iron complexes. The enhancement is probably due to the increase in adsorption sites as a result of coprecipitation of metal ion with iron(III) hydroxide.     

Indicator compounds for assessment of wastewater effluent contributions to flow and water quality

Numerous studies have reported the presence of trace (i.e., ng/L) organic chemicals in municipal wastewater effluents, but it is unclear which compounds will be useful to evaluate the contribution of effluent to overall river flow or the attenuation processes that occur in receiving streams. This paper presents a new approach that uses a suite of common trace organic chemicals as indicators to assess the degree of impact and attenuation of trace organic chemicals in receiving streams. The utility of the approach was validated by effluent monitoring at ten wastewater treatment plants and two effluent-impacted rivers with short retention times (<17 h). A total of 56 compounds were particularly well suited as potential indicators, occurring frequently in effluent samples at concentrations that were at least five times higher than their limit of quantification. Monitoring data from two effluent-impacted rivers indicated that biotransformation was not important for these two river stretches, whereas photolysis attenuation was possibly important for the shallow river. The application of this approach to receiving waters and water reclamation and reuse systems will allow for more effective allocation of resources in future monitoring programs.