GENOTOXICITY IN CHIRONOMUS KIIENSIS (CHIRONOMIDAE: DIPTERA) AFTER EXPOSURE TO POLLUTED SEDIMENTS FROM RIVERS OF NORTH PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: IMPLICATION FOR ECOTOXICOLOGICAL MONITORING

Rapid industrialization and urbanization has led to increasing input of chemical contaminants into the aquatic environment of Malaysia. Despite the threat civilization poses to the biota, there are still very few relevant studies on ecotoxicological testing of river ecosystems. To overcome this knowledge gap, we examined lethal and genotoxic effects of sediments from different rivers of the northern Malaysia against Chironomus kiiensis, a group well represented in the aquatic fauna of this region. We exposed the larvae to sediments from Selama River (SR), Permatang Rawa River (PRR) and Kilang Ubi River (KUR) at various durations (0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h). The larval mortality was monitored, whereas DNA damage in survivors' cells was determined using the comet assay. Pollution level indexed by the amounts of heavy metals and other organic contaminants in the sediment showed progressive increases from SR to PRR to KUR. Highly polluted sediments (PRR to KUR) were detrimental to C. kiiensis larvae, most of which did not survive following exposure for long periods. DNA analyses revealed greater damages in nuclei derived from larvae maintained on polluted sediments, in particular, those from KUR. The effects on the genomic material of C. kiiensis larvae occurred in a time‐dependent manner, with damage level increasing as exposure time progressed. Our results highlight the genotoxic properties of polluted sediments. More importantly, this study showed that C. kiiensis larvae could respond to different levels of pollution with respect to exposure time. It is concluded that C. kiiensis larvae is a potential candidate for river ecotoxicological monitoring. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Interplay between Environmental Conditions and Filamentous Algae Mat Formation in Two Agricultural Influenced South African Rivers

The regulation of nutrient inputs into rivers dominated by agriculture land use activities is an important aspect of ecological resilience of aquatic systems and the management of river eutrophication. The overabundance of benthic filamentous algae mats in river systems due to nutrient enrichment can modify the habitats of macroinvertebrate and fish communities as well as clogging irrigation crop sprayers of downstream water users. The current study examined over a period of 2 years (2013–2014) the interplay between physical and chemical river characteristics and epilithic filamentous algae biomass in two South African agricultural influenced rivers. The study area consisted of the Touw and Duiwe Rivers, which run into a proclaimed Ramsar site, namely, the Wilderness Lake System. A strong positive correlation was observed between the maximum filamentous algae biomass (97 chl‐a mg m^?2) observed during the dry season and the average water column alkalinity >30 mg l^?1. The benthic trophic status of the nine sampling sites during the dry seasons indicated the highest benthic algae biomass with mesotrophic (1.7–21 chl‐a mg m^?2) to hypertrophic (>84 chl‐a mg m^?2) conditions. During the dry season, only three sampling sites were below the suggested guideline value (35 µg l^?1) for total phosphorus (TP), while four sampling sites were below the total nitrogen guideline of 252 µg l^?1. In the wet season, two sites were below TP values with five sites below total nitrogen guideline values. From the data gathered, it was evident that water column alkalinity and hardness were the main drivers for the formation or absence of benthic filamentous algae mats in the two river systems and that nitrogen and/or phosphorus concentrations was overshadowed by the physical and chemical characteristics of the river systems at certain sites. Nutrient results for the river bottom sediments revealed that the sediment qualities were variable at the different sampling sites, but more specifically along the longitudinal paths of flow. It was apparent that the high TP concentrations in the water column and bottom sediment, which were lowest during the dry season, were associated with the highest epilithic filamentous algae mat formation. The outcome of the current study shows that a more holistic approach must be followed for the development of future eutrophication guidelines and nutrient thresholds in South African rivers influenced by agriculture land use activities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

污染河道水质强化脱氮生化工艺研究

应用生化工艺对河道污染水体进行修复是目前最经济的一条途径,但其面临的一个突出问题是在生物脱氮过程中可利用碳源不足,从而影响其处理效果。本研究采用分段进水生物接触氧化工艺来强化受污染水脱氮性能,与传统单点进水方式相比,两段进水对有机物和总氮去除率有显著提升,CODMn平均去除率从50.6%提升到66.3%;总氮平均去除率从31.4%提升到60.9%。沿程统计硝化细菌和反硝化细菌数量,硝化细菌主要集中在曝气区,数量为5.58×106,反硝化细菌主要集中在非曝气区的中后段,数量为6.49×105。同时检测沿程溶解氧和各氮素浓度,溶解氧浓度沿程降低,最后出水仅为0.2 mg/L;氨氮在曝气区转化为硝态氮,在非曝气区硝态氮还原成氮气,其结果进一步证实了硝化细菌和反硝化细菌的分布特征。     

Implications of Genome Alterations in Chironomus bernensis Klȍtzli (Diptera) for Assessment of Trace Metal Pollution in Two Bulgarian Rivers

This study assesses the effect of sediment contaminants as indicated by the measurement of trace metal levels in two large Bulgarian rivers (river Maritsa and a tributary and the river Chaya) on the genome of the abundant chironomid species Chironomus bernensis Klȍtzli. Six trace metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn were analysed in the sediments plus the overlying water. The polytene chromosomes of C. bernensis were very sensitive to the pollutants on the basis of numerous somatic chromosome alterations. Two biomarkers based on the degree of somatic structural chromosome alterations—the somatic and cytogenetic indices were applied. Both indices are a sensitive and reproducible approach for assessing the genotoxic effect of contaminants in the sediments. The somatic index from the differentially contaminated sites varied from 1.93 to 2.61, indicating the sensitivity of the C. bernensis genome to anthropogenic stress. The cytogenetic index revealed a high level of pollution in the rivers with a score between 0.27 and 0.37 (<0.5 indicates ‘highly polluted’). The genome of C. bernensis responded to the trace metal pollution by the appearance of a ‘B’ chromosome in between 4.4% and 7.1% of the individuals and detected for the first time in this species. Pollution also induced a heterozygous state in one of the Nucleolar Organizers in up to 3% of the sampled populations. The sensitivity of the C. bernensis genome shows that this species is a good candidate for detecting the presence of genotoxic compounds in freshwater and assessing their genotoxic effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

海河流域主要河口水沙污染现状分析

2005年底,对海河流域海河口、独流减、子牙新河和北排河4个入海河口6处水域实地考察并取水沙样,进行重金属、砷、总氮和总磷含量分析。采用了《地表水环境质量标准》和水体综合污染指数法等对水域单个污染物污染、水体综合污染、水体富营养化现状及变化进行分析,采用《海洋沉积物质量》等对底泥污染进行分析,并与2001年实测数据进行比较。水质分析结果表明,海河流域4个河口的水污染严重,主要重金属污染物为汞(Hg)。子牙新河和北排河河口的氮磷污染严重,水体呈严重的富营养状态。与2001年水质相比,4个河口的重金属浓度几乎全部大幅度下降,海河口和独流减河口水质情况有很大改观,但子牙新河河口水污染加重,北排河河口水质状况则与2001年相近。从底质分析来看,4个河口的底质重金属污染尚不严重,但底泥均存在严重的氮磷污染。与2001年相比,底泥中污染物含量大多变化不大,略有下降。这些数据反映出近年来海河流域在水污染治理、工业废水排放控制等方面的成效,但远离城市局部水域的水污染和富营养化加剧的趋势值得关注。     

Benthic invertebrates community of the River Euphrates upstream and downstream sectors of Al-Qadisia dam,Iraq

The benthic fauna of the river Euphrates upstream and downstream sectors of Al-Qadisia dam, mid Iraq, was studied for a period of two years (1993 and 1994). Five sampling stations were selected. One station was located upstream the dam, while the other four stations were downstream. A total of 65 taxa were identified. It was clear that the station located immediately downstream (station 2) showed the highest total mean annual density (individuals/m²) represented by higher number of taxa. The benthic community was dominated by oligochaetes especially of families Naididae and Tubificidae as well as chironomid larvae of which the genus Polypedilum was the most dominant one. Seasonal fluctuation of the community showed that the peak of the total number of individuals had appeared during autumn and winter months. Community index of similarity (ISE) was computed for faunal comparison between station 1 and the other stations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An eutrophication index for lowland sandy rivers in Mediterranean coastal climatic regions of Southern Africa

The eutrophication of waterways has become an endemic global problem. Nutrient enrichment from agriculture activities and waste water treatment plants are major drivers, but it remains unclear how lowland sandy rivers respond to eutrophication. The objective of this study was the development and verification of eutrophication index for sandy rivers (EISR) to prioritize nutrient enrichment river stretches caused by different land use activities that include point and nonpoint sources of nutrient enrich water. The Berg River drainage system in South Africa served as a case study area for this purpose during the dry seasons (December and January) of 2015 and 2016. In the initial EISR development phase, periphyton, benthic biomass (chl‐a mg m^?2), and macroinvertebrate families were employed as benthic bioindicators of river bedforms, whereas in the second phase, physicochemical and abiotic variables were used as target indicator. Using a weight of support approach, the site receiving sewage effluent was categorize as heavily polluted whereas sites impacted by agriculture land use activities were polluted. The EISR that focuses strongly on benthic bioindicators, which are close to the transfer of nutrients and energy in the food web, showed a distinct difference between river bedform impacted by sewage effluent and agriculture none point source. A maximum benthic algae biomass of 110 mg m^?2 chl‐a was recorded with higher sediment orthophosphate concentration at sewage‐impacted sites. The outcome of the proposed EISR showed that it can be employed as a decision support tool for eutrophication management of sandy rivers.     

周村水库大气湿沉降氮磷及溶解性有机物特征

为揭示周村水库大气湿沉降中污染物的污染特征,通过收集周村水库2016年3月至2017年2月大气湿沉降样品,测定了大气湿沉降中氮磷以及溶解性有机物的质量浓度,分析了污染物的污染特征及大气湿沉降量的变化规律。结果表明:周村水库的降水主要集中在夏秋季,占全年的68.50%;降水中总氮质量浓度在1.67~7.63 mg/L之间,氨氮和硝氮是其主要组分,分别占总氮的52.91%和28.49%;降水中的硝氮和氨氮年湿沉降通量分别为772.45mg/m^2和1411.99 mg/m^2,且与降水量呈显著正相关关系(P<0.01);单因子水质评价法和综合污染指数法评价得出大气湿沉降中的降水大多为劣Ⅴ类的重度污染水体;总磷和有机物的湿沉降通量最大值出现在夏季,与降水量也呈显著正相关关系(P<0.01);大气湿沉降中的溶解性有机物以富里酸为主,呈现较强的自生源特征。     

Compartmental Distribution of Organochlorine Contaminants in the Niagara River and the Western Basin of Lake Ontario

Ten chlorobenzenes, hexachlorobutadiene, and PCBs were measured in Niagara River water and suspended solids, and in western Lake Ontario sediments and benthic fauna. High levels of these contaminants were found on all fractions of the river suspended solids, but the larger particles contained much higher concentrations than the smaller particles. A portion of the CBs, HCBD, and PCBs present in the lake sediments was available to benthic organisms. A trend toward greater bioaccumulation for compounds having higher octanol-water partition coefficients was observed at all trophic levels.     

Hydrologic and Hydrogeologic Characterization of a Deltaic Aquifer System in Orissa, Eastern India

The present study focuses on the in-depth hydrologic and hydrogeologic analyses of Kathajodi-Surua Inter-basin within the Mahanadi deltaic system of Orissa, eastern India to explore the possibility of enhanced and sustainable groundwater supply. The results of 6 years (2001–2006) streamflow analysis indicated that the river flow is highly seasonal and it reduces to almost no flow during summer seasons. Land use map of the study area for the monsoon (Kharif) and post-monsoon (Rabi) seasons was developed by remote sensing technique and runoff estimation was done by curve number method. The runoff estimated for the 20-year period (1990–2009) varied from a minimum of 10.2% of the total monsoon rainfall in 1995 to a maximum of 43.3% in 2003. The stratigraphy analysis indicated that a leaky confined aquifer comprising medium to coarse sand exists at depths of 15 to 50 m and has a thickness of 20 to 55 m. The analysis of pumping test data at 9 sites by Aquifer-Test software indicated that the aquifer hydraulic conductivity ranges from 11.3 to 96.8 m/day, suggesting significant aquifer heterogeneity. Overall groundwater flow is from north-west to south-east direction. There is a 5 to 6 m temporal variation and 3 to 4 m spatial variation of groundwater levels over the basin. The rainfall-groundwater dynamics and stream-aquifer interaction in the river basin were studied by correlation analysis of groundwater level with weekly rainfall and river stage. The correlation between the weekly rainfall and weekly groundwater level was found to vary from ‘poor’ to ‘fair’ (r = 0.333 to 0.659). In contrast, the weekly groundwater level was found to be strongly correlated with the weekly river stage (r = 0.686 to 0.891). The groundwater quality was found suitable for both irrigation and drinking purposes. It is recommended that a simulation-cum-optimization modeling following an integrated approach is essential for efficient utilization of groundwater resources in the study area.     

Water quality before and after dam building on a heavily polluted river in semi‐arid Algeria

The impact of the construction and management of a reservoir on a polluted stream in a semi‐arid region has been highlighted using physico‐chemical indicators. The Tafna river (Algeria) collects heavily polluted wastewater from the town of Maghnia and from several factories. Organic pollution comes from domestic sewage and from food industries. Ore treatment industries discharge very acidic wastewater. Temperature, pH, conductivity, chloride, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and nitrogen compounds have been surveyed between 1996 and 2001, before and after the construction of the dam. The change in each parameter is compared between sites located upstream and downstream from the dam. The spatio‐temporal evolution of the organic pollution indicators was highlighted by ANOVA and principal component analysis. By enhancing sedimentation of the organic matter, the reservoir makes possible a significant decline in the BOD downstream of the dam, but increases NH₄ concentration at the downstream sites. The pollution is diluted during high flows and dam releases. Conversely, during low flow periods, mineralization of organic matter is higher in the lower Tafna. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil Erosion Assessment in a Hilly Catchment of North Eastern India Using USLE, GIS and Remote Sensing

In the present study, soil erosion assessment of Dikrong river basin of Arunachal Pradesh (India) was carried out. The river basin was divided into 200 × 200 m grid cells. The Arc Info 7.2 GIS software and RS (ERDAS IMAGINE 8.4 image processing software) provided spatial input data and the USLE was used to predict the spatial distribution of the average annual soil loss on grid basis. The average rainfall erositivity factor (R) for Dikrong river basin was found to be 1,894.6 MJ mm ha⁻¹ h⁻¹ year⁻¹. The soil erodibility factor (K) with a magnitude of 0.055 t ha h ha⁻¹ MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹ is the highest, with 0.039 t ha h ha⁻¹ MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹ is the least for the watershed. The highest and lowest value of slope length factor (LS) is 53.5 and 5.39 respectively for the watershed. The highest and lowest values of crop management factor (C) were found out to be 0.004 and 1.0 respectively for the watershed. The highest and lowest value of conservation factor (P) were found to be 1 and 0.28 respectively for the watershed. The average annual soil loss of the Dikrong river basin is 51 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. About 25.61% of the watershed area is found out to be under slight erosion class. Areas covered by moderate, high, very high, severe and very severe erosion potential zones are 26.51%, 17.87%, 13.74%, 2.39% and 13.88% respectively. Therefore, these areas need immediate attention from soil conservation point of view.     

底栖动物监测在洋河水库水质评价的应用

为了掌握秦皇岛洋河水库底栖动物分布状况,并据此进行水质评价,设置了6个采样点,分别于2006年5月、8月、9月和11月四个时间段共采集了24个样品。分析结果表明:在洋河水库底泥中共发现底栖动物11种,其中10种能够指示污染程度,耐污种类占绝对优势;所有样点的底栖动物个体密度介于680～5 920个/m2,全库平均为1 924个/m2,水库整体处于中-富营养水平;底栖动物生物量介于1.68～38.76g/m2,全库平均为8.53g/m2;底栖动物生物多样性指数介于0.64～1.89,水库整体水质介于中度污染-重度污染。鉴于底栖动物在水质评价方面不可替代的作用,建议该水库每隔5～10年做一次系统的底栖动物调查。     

Variations in trace elements in bottom sediments of major rivers in Lake Victoria's basin, Kenya

River sediments collected between March 1994 and January 1995 were analysed for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), aluminium (Al) and cadmium (Cd) in the less than 63 μm grain‐size fraction. The river sediments were characterized by a sandy texture, with a relatively low organic matter (as percentage loss on ignition), ranging 3.5–9.6%. The metal mean range values in μg/g dry weight for the river sediments were: Mn (836–2.10 × 10⁴), Fe (1.09 × 10⁴–9.22 × 10⁴), Al (2.86 × 10³–7.77 × 10³), Zn (34–130), Cu (11–78), Cr (not detected ND–125); Pb (ND–100) and Cd (ND). Temporal variations were significant for Zn, Cr and Pb. There were no significant longitudinal differences in all the elements in rivers Nyando, Nzoia, Yala and Sondu‐Miriu, apart from sediment Fe contents. Relatively high sediment Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr and Al were observed in river Kasat. River Kasat was considered polluted with respect to Mn, Zn and Cr, which were comparatively higher than unpolluted sediments and geochemical background values. This supports similar results on surface water trace element levels. Most of the rivers drain an area of relatively similar lithological characteristics. Therefore, apart from the direct waste input into Kasat river from municipal and industrial sources, lack of specific point sources indicate lithological metal origins with localized variations. A final comparative evaluation of the river sediments’ trace metal pollution was made from the study results. The data is vital for pollution management of the lake as information about metal loadings into the lake ecosystem is lacking.     

The Potential Link Between El Nino and Water Hyacinth Blooms in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, East Africa: Evidence from Satellite Imagery

This study evaluates the link between the occurrence of El Nino events in East Africa and water hyacinth blooms in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria using remote sensing technology. A time-series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analyzed from data acquired by the multispectral Aqua/Terra sensors aboard the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite are used to monitor areal extent and density of the aquatic plants. We related the NDVI derived from MODIS imagery to data on El Ni?o South Oscillation (ENSO) events that were obtained from NOAA and rainfall data from the study site. Our results from the 11-year time-series data show a statistically significant positive correlation (R = 0.6, P = 0.021) between the occurrence of El Ni?o events and water hyacinth blooms in Winam Gulf. The proliferation of water hyacinth rafts in Winam Gulf may be a response to dramatic environmental and water quality changes in Lake Victoria. The patterns of impact of ENSO events and rainfall show spatial and temporal variation patterns in the region, depending on the time and space evolution of each individual ENSO event that could explain the differences in general patterns of water hyacinth cover in Lake Victoria during different El Ni?o events. Although the problems eutrophication and water hyacinth are severe in the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria some of the solutions to the problem are located several hundreds of kilometers away in the rich agricultural farmlands of the Lake Victoria catchment area. These include better land management practices and strategies aimed at limiting pollution and soil erosion within the lake’s drainage basin.     

Adaptation to Climate Change in the Management of a Canadian Water-Resources System Exploited for Hydropower

The management adaptation potential of the Peribonka River water resource system (Quebec, Canada) is investigated in the context of the evolution of climate change. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts on hydropower, power plant efficiency, unproductive spills and reservoir reliability due to changes in the hydrological regimes. The climate change projections used here are from the Canadian regional climate model (CRCM) nested by the Canadian-coupled global climate model (CGCM3) forced with the SRES A2 greenhouse gas emission scenario. The hydrological regimes were simulated with the distributed hydrological model Hydrotel. They were incorporated into a dynamic and stochastic optimization model in order to adapt the operating rules of the water resource system annually, according to the evolution of the climate. The impacts were analyzed over the years 1961–2099, split into four periods for comparison purposes: control period (1961–1990), horizon 2020 (2010–2039), horizon 2050 (2040–2069) and horizon 2080 (2070–2099). The main results indicate that annual mean hydropower would decrease by 1.8% for the period 2010–2039 and then increase by 9.3% and 18.3% during the periods 2040–2069 and 2070–2099, respectively. The trend to increase is statistically significant starting from 2061 (Mann–Kendall with p = 5%). The change in the mean annual production is statistically significant for the 2040–2069 and 2070–2099 periods (t-test with p = 5%). Also, the change in the variance is significant for the periods 2010–2039, 2040–2069 and 2070–2099 (F-test). Annual mean unproductive spills would increase from 1961–2099, but the trend is not statistically significant. However, the changes in the variance of the annual mean spills are significant in the periods 2010–2039, 2040–2069 and 2070–2099. Overall, the reliability of a reservoir would decrease and the vulnerability increase as the climate changes.     

吉林市排污河底泥的污染状况及其生态风险评价

以吉林市排污河中底泥为主要研究对象,布置12个监测断面35个代表性采样点,采集并分析了河道内底泥样品中8种重金属及16种USEPA优先控制的多环芳烃的含量,并分别采用地质累积指数法(I_(geo))、潜在生态风险评价法(PERI)、沉积物质量基准法(SQGs)对排污河底泥中污染物进行了生态风险评价。结果表明,该排污河底泥中重金属及多环芳烃均不同程度超过松花江水系沉积物背景值,其中Hg、Pb、Cu、As、NAP、ANT超标倍数分别为87.5、10.2、6.18、5.90、115.6和228.5;I_(geo)显示Hg的生态风险最大,I_(geo)达到了5.82,而Cd和Ni的风险较小,这与PERI中Hg风险最大的结果一致;SQGs评价结果表明由重金属及多环芳烃引起的污染会产生生物毒性,且不利生物毒性将频繁发生;(3)以上结果说明,该排污河呈现以Hg为主要风险因子的重金属与多环芳烃复合污染现象,在今后应加强底泥监测和定期清淤,从而推动区域生态环境的治理与恢复。     

Water quality assessment of rivers in Mongolia.

A study was made on the water quality of the rivers in Mongolia over the years 1949-1990 for the three river basins in the country. In most of the 72 monitoring stations, the water quality is governed by geological and hydrological characteristics; bicarbonate and calcium are the most abundant major ions. No significant trends were observed between river discharges and total dissolved solids contents. The sediment yields (expressed in the run-off of total suspended solids, TSS) were always low, viz. between 0.02 and 20 x 10(3) kg TSS/km2 yr. In general, the rivers in Mongolia showed low pollution levels for organic pollution, phosphorus, nitrogen, etc., and no time trends were observed in this respect. This does not hold, however, for the northern Tul River, where especially high BOD and ammonium values were found. This can probably be ascribed to the presence of industries and larger cities, as well as agricultural practices. The rivers in Mongolia can generally be classified as "clean" or "of acceptable quality". In contrast, the Tuul River was shown to be "moderately polluted", with a deteriorating trend in water quality over recent years.     

The distribution and turnover of benthic organic matter in a lowland river: influence of hydrology,seston load and impoundment

The standing stocks of benthic organic matter (BOM) and some of its biochemical compounds (particulate organic carbon, particulate nitrogen, protein, and chlorophyll a) were investigated in the upper 12 cm of the sediments at several sampling sites in a free‐flowing and in an impounded river section of the lowland River Spree (Germany). Several environmental variables were recorded, in order to determine their potential influence on the organic matter content in the sediments. It was shown that the organic matter content in the upper sediment layers was mainly determined by the local hydrological regime, which was best reflected by the particle size distribution at the sampling sites. For the deepest investigated sediment strata, no influencing factors could be determined. The amount and quality of suspended matter was of minor importance to sediment composition. Also seasonal effects could not be detected. The impounded river section exhibited less seasonal variation in organic matter storage, as well as shorter carbon turnover lengths, longer carbon turnover times and lower rates of annual organic matter recycling than the free‐flowing river section, which indicates that changes in river hydraulics result in alterations to the organic matter budget. These alterations could be related to the changed mesohabitat composition and to the higher standing stocks of organic matter in the impounded river reach. We conclude that both morphological and hydrological alterations affect the structure and function of running water ecosystems because of their negative effect on the organic matter cycling. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrate in the Water-Supply Wells in the Mancha Oriental Hydrogeological System (SE Spain)

This study determines the spatial and temporal distribution of nitrate content within the water-supply wells in the Mancha Oriental System (MOS) for the period 1998–2003 and presents an example of the multiple nitrate pollution sources in the El Salobral–Los Llanos Domain (SLD, southwestern Albacete). The groundwater resources of the MOS are used to maintain approximately 800 km² of irrigated crops and are the sole water supply for a total population of 275,000 inhabitants. The average nitrate content varies from <0.5 mg l^− 1 (detection limit) to 125 mg l^− 1. In some areas of the MOS statistical analyses show a growing tendency between 2001 and 2003. Nitrate content shows a heterogeneous spatial distribution but the highest levels can be associated with large areas of irrigated crops. However, there are also points in which nitrate has been detected in significant quantities which are not found to be spatially linked to this kind of crop. The presence of nitrate in these areas can be explained considering other sources of pollution, such us wastewater, or due to pollutant transport from contaminated areas through groundwater flow in a multiple-layered karstic aquifer. These results lead necessarily to reconsider the agricultural-derived nitrate as the sole source of pollution and to analyze the effectiveness of the current wastewater treatment practices from effluents in the MOS.