SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 27
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHE S T E R
FACULTY OF BIOLOGY
“Surv e y of the River Ethero w ”
- POLLUTION DAMAGE -
By: Alvaro H. Pescador R.
To: Dr. Keith White
MSc.POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
MANCHESTER - 1996
SURVEY OF THE RIVER ETHEROW
OBJECTIVES
By analysing the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of samples
collected at different points of the river, the porpoise of this survey is to look
to organic pollution in fresh water quality, as well as the pollution caused by
heavy metals, studying the impact of the pollutants on the river’s
invertebrates biota.
This survey, looks on the one hand to key physical parameters of a running
water such as flow, temperature (which determines the water density and
influences its conductivity), and the river’s substract, that allows different
species of invertebrates to live inside it. The flow and the temperature were
established directly at each one of the sites that were monitored (1 to 9),
whereas the invertebrates were taken by the kick-sampling technique, once
the sample was taken they were killed and preserved “fixed” in a 4% water
solution of formaldehyde.
On the other hand, chemical parameters that influences the biota of the river
such as the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), the dissolved Oxygen
and the pH (Hydrogen Potential) were measured as well. Whereas the
dissolved oxygen and the pH can be done directly, the BOD have to be
established at the laboratory five days after the sample has been taken.
Being this a biological surveillance, one of the main objectives is to study
the invertebrates community of the river in order to establish the quality of
the water, through the determination of the BMWP (Biological Monitoring
Working Party Score) and the ASPT (Average Score per Taxa).
Some other parameters such as the total hardness were determined as well.
These, the heavy metals tests and the ammonia concentration are key
indicators to establish whether the water is potable or not.
1. IMPACT OF ORGANIC POLLUTION ON WATER QUALITY
The Table 1 provides the physical and chemical parameters that were
measured in order to analyse the current impact of organic pollution on the
river. The table shows the mean value between the samples taken on
November 15th an November 22nd of 1995. When there was only one data
available, as in the case of the BOD (the test were not established for the
samples taken on the 15 th of November) the value that appears was the
only one available.
The suspended solids, the dissolved oxygen, the temperature of the water
(which influences the maximum amount of dissolved oxygen in the water),
the BOD, and the pH are the key parameters that allow us to measure the
impact of the organic pollution on the water quality. In table 1, these values
appears, except the one for suspended solids, for all the sites that were
monitored, (site number 7 was not) in agreement with the map that appears
in Appendix 1.
TABLE 1 - ORGANIC POLLUTION INDICATORS
Parameter/Site S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9
Temperature (°C) 8.5 9.6 10.3 9.5 9.5 9.6 9.9 14.4
Dissolved O2 (mg/l) 17.6 17.3 18.1 17.4 12.6 12.1 19.5 15.8
Saturation of O2 % 88% 84% 86% 85% 61% 58% 93% 67%
BOD (mg/l) 6.5 1.5 1 7.8 1.6 2.6 15.9 6.4
pH (pH units) 5.4 7.5 7.4 7 7.4 7.5 7.3 7.1
Phosphate (mg/L) 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.5 0.04 0.04
Ammonia (mg/L) 0.08 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.05
Nitrate (mg/L) 0.90 0.75 1.15 1.66 1.24 1.12 3.16 0.41
Chloride (mg/l) 1.7 1.1 2.1 1.3 1.6 2.2 2.0 1.2
The Saturation of O2 as percentage has been obtained in agreement with the
ideal value (100% of saturation) that should be in the water at the
temperature given1
. The values are taken for an atmospheric pressure of 1
atm, the deviation is to little to be taken into account since none of the sites
is more than 1000 meters of altitude from the level of the sea (1 atm).
In agreement whit Ellis2
we can classify the river (classes 1 to 4) for the
quality of key values such as the Dissolved oxygen, the BOD5 and the
Ammonia concentration by using the next criteria:
1A: good quality:
Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation grater than 80%
BOD (five days): Not grater than 3 mg/l
Ammonia concentration: Not grater than 0.4 mg/l
1B
Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation between 60-80%
BOD (five days): Not grater than 5 mg/l
1
PERRY, Jhon, “Chemical Engeeniers’ Handbook”, New York, McGrw-Hill, 4a
ed.,
1963, p. 6-138.
2
ELLIS, K.V., “Surface Water Pollution and its Control”, London, Macmillan Press
Ltd., 1989, p. 109-113.
Ammonia concentration: Not grater than 0.9 mg/l
2. Fair quality
Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation between 40-60%
BOD (five days): Not grater than 9 mg/l
Ammonia concentration: Grater than 0.9 mg/l
3. Poor quality
Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation between 10-40%
BOD (five days): Not grater than 17mg/l
Ammonia concentration: Grater than 0.9 mg/l
4. Bad quality
Waters which are inferior to class 3 in terms of dissolved oxygen and likely
to be anaerobic at times.
In agreement with this, in terms of oxygen, From table 1 we could classify
sites 1 to 9 of the river Etherow as follows:
Good quality, 1A: Sites 2 and 3.
Good quality, 1B: Sites 1 and 5.
Fair quality: Sites 4, 6 and 9.
Poor quality: Site 8.
FIG 1. ORGANIC POLLUTION: SATURATION OF O2 %
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9
Saturation of O2 %
In spite of the high percentage of saturation of O2 in site 8 (93%), THE
HIGHEST of all the sites, the poor quality of the water is given for the high
value of the BOD5 obtained at the laboratory (Fig 2).
Fig 2. BOD (mg/l)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9
BOD (mg/l)
Perhaps there has been a mistake during the lecture of the dissolved O2 at
site 8 in the river, or the sample for the BOD could have been received some
other external influence (and therefore to be spurious). It is estrange to find
this high level of BOD (15.9 mg/l) in a place with such a high amount of
dissolved oxygen (19.5 mg/l).
Unfortunately we did not run a test for suspended solids, which is also
useful to establish the amount of organic pollution in the water. Any way, in
agreement with the classification stated by Ellis, as has been already
analysed, the pollution by organic material in the river Etherow is not high,
and the quality of the water in the different places that were monitored in
relation with the Oxygen tests is really good, just with the exception of site
8, for the possible reasons already explained.
2. CURRENT IMPACT OF THE ORGANIC POLLUTION ON THE
BIOTA.
In order to establish the current impact of the pollution on the biota, a
biological surveillance using invertebrates as bioindicatiors of the actual
state of the quality of the river has been done. The different taxa of
invertebrates that were identified at the laboratory appears in Table 2.
The BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party Score) will be used in
order to establish the quality of the river.
TABLE 2 - OCCURRENCE OF INVERTEBRATES, 1995.
TAXA/SITE BMW
p
Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9
PHYLUM ANNELIDA
Class Hirudinea (leeches)
Glosiphonia complanata 3 0 0 2 1 0 3 14 0
Erpobdella octoculata 3 0 0 26 9 3 0 3 1
Helobdella stagnallis 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Class Oligochaeta (worms) 1 0 0 0 38 0 0 0 0
Lumbricidae 1 7 16 0 0 0 0 0 0
Haplotaxidae 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Lumbricullidae 1 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tubificidae 1 0 10 15 0 0 0 0 0
PHYLUM MOLLUSCA
Class Gastropoda (Snails)
Ancylus fluviatilis
Unidentified 7
0
0
2
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
0
2
0
14
0
Limnaea peregra 3 0 10 0 0 0 0 2 0
Viviparidae 3 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
Physa fontinalis 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 0
Theodoxus fluviatilis 3 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0
Potamopyrgus jenkisi 3 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0
Lymnaea glabra 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 1
Class Bivalvia (Two-shelled
molluscs)
Pisidium 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sphaerium 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
TAXA/SITE BMWP
Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9
PHYLUM CRUSTACEA
(Shrimps and water lice)
Asellus aquaticus 3 0 1 0 2 26 48 24 13
Gammarus pulex 6 0 0 5 29 1 12 13 0
PHYLUM CHELICERATA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PHYLUM INSECTA
Order Coleoptera (Beetle,
Larvae and adults) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gyrinidae (Beetle) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Haliplidae (Beetle) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Order Hemiptera(Water bugs) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Order Neuroptera (Megalop-
tera-lace wings)
Sialis lutaria 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Order Tricoptera (Caddis fly
larvae) 1. Case caddis larvae
Limeneplius lunatus 7 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
2. Naked caddis larvae (u.spp.) 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rhyacophila dorsalis 7 3 0 0 0 2 0 3 1
Hydropsyche instabilis 5 1 36 3 11 56 9 6 0
Chironomiss sp. 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0
Polycentropus flavomaculatus 7 22 4 4 9 0 0 0 0
Order Ephemeroptera (u.spp.) 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
Beatis rhodani 5 11 13 0 2 56 7 125 23
Paraleptophlebia submarginata 10 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
TAXA/SITE BMWP
Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9
PHYLUM INSECTA (Cont.)
Ecdyonurus venosus 10 1 0 0 0 1 4 5 1
Ephemerella ignita 10 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Habrophlebia tusca 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Order Plecoptera (u. spp.) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Protonemura meyeri 7 11 11 0 0 0 0 0 0
Anphinemura sulcicollis 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Perla bipunctata 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leuctra hippopus 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leuctra geniculata 10 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Order Diptera (fly larve)
Chironomidae 2 3 18 4 0 29 0 27 9
Simuliidae 5 2 14 1 0 0 0 0 0
Tipulidae 5 3 1 0 0 1 4 8 9
Thaumalidae 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
Ceratopognidae 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
OTHERS (give phyla)
Neuroptera sialis 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nematomorpha,class Gordidea
(hairworm)
1
1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
RESULTS
BMWP 64 45 42 28 39 47 63 39
No. of Taxa 11 9 10 7 9 6 14 9
ASPT 5,5 5 4.2 4 4,3 5 4,5 4,3
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
The data that appears at the bottom of Table 2 is the result of the biological
surveillance on 15 th and 22 th of November, 1995. In the case of sites 5, 8
and 9 there was only available the data on November 15 th and is the one
that appears there. On the other sites, the value of the BMWP is slightly
different for 15th and 22 th at each place. There has been taken the highest
values of BMWP for each site (e.g. in site 1 are 61 and 64 respectively,
therefore 64 is the one that appears here) as the current BMWP score of the
site. These results are plot in figure 3.
FIG 3. Current impact of the organic pollution on the biota of the
river Etherow.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7
BMWP
As can be seen from Fig. 3, the quality of the water decreases steadily
downstream from site 1 to site 4 where the BMWP score reaches its lowest
level (28), this is the place where the Zn leachate is located. Then, the
quality of the water increases from site 4 to 5, after the junction of the river
Glossop, there, the BMWP reaches a value of 39. Among other things, the
increasing of the quality of the water in site 5 is due to the good quality of
the water of the river Glossop in site 8, just before the linking to the
Etherow (BMWP=63). Finally, the quality of the water increases with the
distance downstream from site 5 to 7 (the data used for site 7 has been
calculated using Appendix 7, BMWP=76, in 1992).
The relationship between the BMWP Score, the typical biota and river
designation is given in the table 3.
Table 3. BMWP and river designation
TYPICAL BIOTA DESIGNATION BMWP SITE
Salmonis,Plecoptera,
Tricoptera, Amphipoda
Good Quality + 70
Coarse fish
All above group resticted
except Anphipoda and
Baetidae
Fair Quality 30-70 1,2,3,5,6,8
Few fish
Few Tricoptera&Baetidae
Asellus dominant.
Poor Quality 3-40 4,9
Very few fish if so.
Few or no Asellus
Chironomus dominant
Bad Quality 1-3
No fish. Oligochetes
dominat or no animals life.
To Bad. 0-1
In agreement with Table 3 and the results plotted in figure 3, sites 1 to 3
and 5 to 6 of the river Etherow have a fair quality (BMWP between 30-70),
the expected biota of the river in this places is summarised in table 3 as well.
On the other hand, the worst condition of the river is found in site 4, with a
BMWP score of 28: poor quality of the water, no fish will be found in this
place and Asellus will be dominant. The river can be classified as to have
good quality downstream from site 7(1992), with a BMWP score of 76.
On the other hand, the ASPT, which is not only independent of the sample
size (a larger sample is likely to include more families, inflating the BMWP
score), but also less influenced by the seasons. Mason3
has established that
the Lincoln Quality Index (LQI), inimically derived by Extence et al4
, using
both the BMWP score and the ASPT can be a more accurate way for the
surveillance in agreement with the River Quality Objectives (RQOs).
To standardised the data a X raiting is given for the BMWP scores, whereas
a Y rating is assigned to the ASPT. In agreement with the results, the scores
for the Habitat-poor rifles and pools might be used in the case of the river
Etherow:
Table 4. Standardised Rating for the OQR.
BMWP Score Rating X ASPT Rating Y
121+ 7 5.0+ 7
101-120 6 4.5-4.9 6
81-100 5 4.1-4.4 5
51-80 4 3.6-4.0 4
25-50 3 3.1-3.5 3
10-24 2 2.1-3.0 2
0-9 1 0-2.0 1
The Overall Quality Ranking is derived as:
OQR = (X + Y) / 2
3
MASON C.F., “Biology of freshwater pollution”, New York, Longman Scientific&
Technical, 2a ed, 1995, p. 234-239.
4
EXTENCE, C.A and FERGUSON A.J.D, “Aquatic invertebrate surveys as a water
quality management tool in the Anglian water region”, Regul Rivers 4, 139-146.
The table 5 shows the X and Y values that has been obtained using the
BMWP scores and the ASPT at the bottom of table 2:
Table 5. OQR for the rivers Etherow and Glossop
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9
BMWP 64 45 42 28 39 47 63 39
Rating X 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3
ASPT 5,5 5 4.2 4 4,3 5 4,5 4,3
Rating Y 7 7 5 4 5 7 6 5
OQR 5.5 5 4 3.5 4 5 5 4
The Overall quality ratings with their equivalent Lincoln Quality Index
values and interpretation of results are shown in table 6.
Table 6. OQR of the rivers Etherow and Glossop
OQR Index Interpretation Site
6+ A++ Excellent quality
5.5 A+ Excellent quality 1
5 A Excellent quality 2,6, 8
4.5 B Good quality
4 C Good quality 3,5
3.5 D Moderate quality 4, 9
3 E Moderate quality
2.5 F Poor quality
2 G Poor quality
1.5 H Very poor quality
1 I Very poor quality
The results are also plotted in Fig. 4, which shape is quite similar for the one
shown in Fig. 3 (BMWP scores). As can be seen from the figure in next
page, the OQR decreases steadily down stream from site 1 to site 4 where
the quality of the water shows its lowest level (Moderate quality), then the
river Etherow increases the quality of its water steadily downstream,
reaching in site 6 an excellent quality, almost as good as the one of site 1
(located 6.2 Km after its boring, just before of the reservoir).
Fig 4. OQR values of the river Etherow
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
OQR
3. LONG-TERM CHANGES IN THE WATER QUALITY ARISING
FROM ORGANIC POLLUTION.
The Appendix 3 provides information for the same parameters that appears
in Table 1, for sites 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8, for odd years from 1981 to 1991, and in
some cases (2, 4 and 7) until 1995. It can be seen from this data that the
Dissolved Oxygen has been between 10 and 11 (mg/l) during all these years
whereas the percentage of saturation never has been below 80% (just with
the exception of site 2 in 1995, that was 79.1% which is very close to 80%).
On the other hand, the BOD5 never has been grater than 6 mg/l during the
last 15 years, and shows its highest values at site 7 as can be seen in table 7
and fig. 5.
Table 7. BOD5 for the last twenty years at site 7.
Year BOD Year BOD Year BOD Year BOD
1973 2.6 1978 2.8 1983 - 1988 2.5
1974 4.4 1979 4.5 1984 - 1989 2.5
1975 4.2 1980 - 1985 3.4 1990 5.2
1976 3.8 1981 3.7 1986 3.3 1991 3.8
1977 3.2 1982 4.3 1987 3.0 1992 2.9
Fig. 5. BOD5 in site 7 from 1973 to 1992.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
73 81 91
BOD
As the highest BOD5 during the last years has happened in this site, and this
is an index of organic pollution, it will be interesting to study what has been
the impact on the biota in this place. Having in mind that site 7 measures the
quality of the water of the river Etherow before entering to the river Goyt
that in turn joins the Tame in Stockport, it is interesting as well to study
what has been the impact of the organic pollution on the biota at the end of
the river (site 7). Table 8 shows the occurrence of invertebrates in this site
from 1970 to 1992. At the bottom of the table the BMWP score and the
ASPT have been computed in each case.
Table 8. Occurrence of invertebrates at site 7 from 1970 to 1992.
TAXA / YEAR BMWP 1970 1975 1980 1985 1992
PLATHELMYTHES
Policelys sp. 5 3 0 0 0 1
ANNELIDA
Oligochaeta
Glosiphonia complanata
Erpobdella octoculata
1
3
3
3
0
0
3
0
1
3
1
0
3
2
3
3
1
2
MOLLUSCA
Gastropoda
Ancylus fluviatile
Lymnae peregra
Bivalvia
Sphaerium sp.
7
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
CRUSTACEA
Asellus aquaticus
Gammarus pulex
3
6
2
0
2
0
3
0
4
1
2
2
INSECTA
Plecoptera
Isoperla grammatica
Leutra sp.
Nemoura sp.
10
10
7
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
TAXA/SITE BMWP 1970 1975 1980 1985 1992
INSECTA (Cont.)
Ephemeroptera
Rhithrogena semicolorata
Ephemerella ignita
Baethis rhodani
10
10
5
0
0
3
0
0
3
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae 5 0 0 0 1 1
Tricoptera
Rhyacophila dorsalis
Polycentropus sp.
Hydrospsyche siltalai
Limnephilidae
7
7
5
7
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
2
2
0
0
0
2
2
2
0
1
1
2
0
Neuroptera
Sialis sp. 4 0 0 0 0 1
Diptera
Simulidae
Chironomidae
Tipulidae
5
2
5
0
4
0
3
3
1
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
0
BMWP 36 43 64 99 88
Rating X 3 4 4 5 5
ASPT 4.4 4.3 4.9 5.2 5.0
Rating Y 5 5 6 7 7
OQR 4 4.5 5 6 6
As can be seen from the results, the quality of the river has been improving
from 1970 to 1992, the BMWP and the ASPT have been increasing almost
steadily, and therefore the OQR shows a continues recovering from the
organic pollution that river Etherow have achieved during the last 20 years.
This behaviour of recuperation can be seen clearly in Fig. 8.
Fig 8. Overall Quality Raiting showing the recovering of the river
Etherow from Organic Pollution between 1970 and 1992.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
1970 1975 1980 1985 1992
OQR
Since 1985 the water have achieved an excellent quality in agreement with
the interpretation given to the OQR, already described in table 6. This
excellent quality remained steady in 1992. Site 7 (Fig. 8) shows the long-
term recoverance of the river Etherow just before of the junction to the river
Goyt and therefore, the impact of the organic pollution on the biota at the
end of the river, as well as the impact that the Etherow will have in the
quality of the water of the river Goyt which in turn joins the Tame at
Stockport.
4. IMPACT ON HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON WATER
QUALITY AND THE BIOTA.
Table 9 shows the mean values of the concentration of heavy metals, the pH,
and Total Hardness that were measured from site 1 to 9 on 15 th and 22th of
November, 1995.
Table 9. Heavy Metal Concentration in the rivers Etherow and
Glossop
Parameter or Metal/Site S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9
Temperature (°C) 8.5 9.6 10.3 9.5 9.5 9.6 9.9 15.8
pH (pH units) 5.4 7.5 7.4 7 7.4 7.5 7.3 7.1
Conductivity (uS) 504 60 90 110 198 213 209 131
Copper (µg/l) 5 3 2.5 1.5 15 13.3 14.5 9.5
Zinc (µg/l) 55 31 21.5 31 46.5 53 55 50.5
Total Hardness (mg/l) 28 39.6 46.3 51 67 77 73 56
It is quite important to look to heavy metals due to they are conservative
pollutants, they do not break down and therefore they effectively become
permanent additions to the aquatic environment. They accumulate in
organisms and some may biomagnify in food chains.
The heavy metals of most widespread concern to human health are mercury,
cadmium and lead5
. Nevertheless copper and zinc belong to the “Gray List
Compounds” of the EEC. Fishes like salmon are more tolerant to zinc than
to copper, the incipient LC50 has been estimated at a concentration of 50 µg/l
for copper and 600 µg/l for zinc.
Table 10 show the presence of these metals in the rivers Etherow and
Glossop, whereas in figure 8 we can se the concentration down stream the
Etherow.
Fig 8. Concentration of zinc and copper downstream the Etherow
5
MASON, E.G., Ibid at p. 168.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
Copper ( g/l)
Zinc ( g/l)
It is really estrange that the river has a high concentration of zinc in site 1,
most probably the data at this site must be spurious. Any way it is
interesting to see that the concentration of zinc increases steadily from site 3
to site 6. The impact of the zinc leachate at site 4 is observed as the
concentration of zinc increases downstream in sites 5 and 6.
On the other hand, the concentration of copper is not as high as the one for
zinc, but copper has a more lethal effect upon the organisms than zinc. For
salmon, the incipient LC50 has been estimated to be a concentration of 50
µg/l for copper and 600 µg/l for zinc. As it is shown in Fig. 8, the highest
concentration of copper (15 µg/l at site 5) and the highest concentration of
zinc (55 µg/l at site 6) are below the incipient LC50 for the salmon.
It is important to see as well that the pH influences the toxicity of the metals.
If there is a little change in speciation and metal binding is weak at the
biological surface as in the case of zinc and copper, the toxicity of the metal
decreases when the pH decreases as well, due to competition for binding
sites from hydrogen ions. Figure 9 shows the pH condition of the river
Etherow.
Fig. 9. Hydrogen Potential of the river Etherow
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
pH (pH units)
As can be seen from figure 9, just with the exception of site 1 which shows
an acid level of pH (5.3), the pH increases downstream from site 1 to site 2
reaching a condition very close to the desirable neutral pH (7) for potable
water. This condition remains almost steadily through out the river; we can
say that the pH levels of the river are really good.
Impact on the river biota due to heavy metals pollution
Species diversity in metal-polluted water is reduced, but tolerant species can
be very abundant. Some species of invertebrates that are very sensitive to
organic pollution, such as stoneflies and casselies caddies, are tolerant to
heavy metal pollution.
Whereas copper affects the photosynthesis of some algae like cyanobacteria,
a concentration of 0.1 mg/l reduces the photosynthesis by 80% in Sprirulia
Plantesis, bioaccumulation occurs in the moss Fontinalis squammosa,
which concentration factor is 22.000 for zinc.
There is not doubt that the presence of Zinc in the food chain is the major
reason why site 4 has the worst biological indicators of the river Etherow
(BMWP=28, ASPT=4 and OQR=3.5) which in agreement with the BMWP
score can be interpreted as “poor condition” as was showed in table 5 and
figure 3, or as “moderate quality” (Index D in the equivalent Lincoln Quality
Index) as showed in table 6 and figure 4.
Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the leaching of Zinc that steel
happens in site 4 because it is the major responsible for the depression in
the quality of the water of the river, and absence of fish in sites 4 and 5. The
presence of copper has to be carefully monitored as well, due to its incipient
LC50 on salmons is just of 50 µg/l.
On the other hand, in order to establish whether the water could be potable
or not, it is important to look to the Total Hardness quality of the water. The
values of table 10 appears plotted in figure 10.
Figure 10. Total Hardness in the water of the river Etherow.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
Total Hardness (mg/l)
Figure 10 show us that the amount of ions of Ca++
and Mg++
in the river
Etherow increases steadily downstream. The highest values occurs once the
Glossop has joined the Etherow in sites 5 and 6. There is not doubt that the
total hardness in the water of the river Glossop (73) has a big influence in
the increment of the hardness in the water at site 5 of the river Etherow. In
agreement with its hardness the water could be potable, but the
concentration of Ammonia, the BOD tests and the presence of metals such
as zinc and copper do not allow us to reccomend Ehterow’s water as a
drinking one.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of invertebrates in biological surveillance is very helpful to monitor
the quality of running waters and work out Environmental Impact
Assessment for organic pollution and/or sewage pollution, but some species
that are very sensitive to organic pollution such as stoneflies and casselss
cadis are more tolerant to heavy metal pollution. The cladophora algae is
sensitive to zinc and can be used to monitor it, cladophora ausence could be
an indicator of heavy metal pollution.
As an empirical method, the Biological Monitoring Working Party score has
a degree of error due to the size of the samples and to changes in the
invertebrates population throughout the seasons of the year. These errors,
can at least be standardised using the ASPT as well as the OQR that may be
derived using both, the BMWP and the ASPT.
In agreement with biological survilliance and the chemical analysis mainly
sumaraized in tables 5 and 6, and clearly shown in figures 3 and 4, we can
synthetize the surveyllance clasifying each part of the river in agreement
with the NRA system, as it is show in table 12 of the next page.
Ussing the map that appears in Appendix 1, and looking to the distances
from one site to another, we can establish the conditions of the water in the
river Etherow in amount of Kilometers without taken into account the
distance of the Londendale Reservoir.
Fig 12 NRA Quality System applied to the river Etherow
WATER
QUALITY
CLASS SITE Distance
(Km)
POTENTAIL USES
Good quality 1a Water of high quality suitable for
potable supply abstractions and
other abstractions; game or other
high class fisheris; high amenity
value.
Good quality 1b 1,2,7*
7.5 Usuable for substantially the
same purposes as class 1a but
water of lower quality.
Fair quality 2 3,5,6 8.5 Water supporting reasonably
good coarse fisheries; water
suitable for potable supply after
advanced treatment; moderate
amenity value.
Poor qualituy 3 4 1.4 Waters which are polluted to an
extent that fish are absent or only
sporadically present; may be used
for low grade industrial
abstraction purposes. Considera-
ble potential for further use ir
cleaned up.
Bad quality 4 Waters which are grosly polluted
and are likelly to cause nuisance
----
*
This value comes from the survey of 1992 in site 7.
Finally, we can have a look to the water quality of the river Etherow as it is
shown in the figures 10 and 11.
Figure 10. The Quality of the water of the river Etherow
43%
49%
8%
Class 1b: 7.5 Km = 43%
Class 2: 8.5 Km = 49%
Class 3: 1.4 Km = 8%
Figure 11. The Class of the river Etherow in Kilometers.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Km
1b 2 3
APPENDIX 1. MAP OF THE RIVER ETHEROW
ETHEROWS.DOC

More Related Content

What's hot

Food microbiology mcq
Food microbiology mcqFood microbiology mcq
Food microbiology mcqAfra Fathima
 
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...ijtsrd
 
Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...
Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...
Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...Dadu Mal DK
 
Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...
Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...
Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...iosrjce
 
Assessment of the Plankton Biodiversity, Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Assessment of the Plankton Biodiversity,Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, BangladeshAssessment of the Plankton Biodiversity,Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Assessment of the Plankton Biodiversity, Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, BangladeshAbuMusa51
 
Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...
Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...
Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...University of Malaya
 
Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...
Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...
Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...Innspub Net
 
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...Mohamed Fathi
 
A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...
A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...
A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...IOSR Journals
 
Isolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture medium
Isolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture mediumIsolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture medium
Isolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture mediumAlexander Decker
 
INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY
INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY
INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY Dr. Naveen BP
 
The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...
The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...
The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...Avishkaarsgrowup
 
combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)
combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)
combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)IJEAB
 
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...Jorge Casado Agrelo
 
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...Dr. Naveen BP
 
Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...
Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...
Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...bivimalvare
 
pH meter Use, Calibration and application
pH meter Use, Calibration and applicationpH meter Use, Calibration and application
pH meter Use, Calibration and applicationVeena Dongare
 
Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...
Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...
Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
 
SETAC meeting 2014
SETAC meeting 2014SETAC meeting 2014
SETAC meeting 2014Sam Supowit
 
Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...
Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...
Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...IJERA Editor
 

What's hot (20)

Food microbiology mcq
Food microbiology mcqFood microbiology mcq
Food microbiology mcq
 
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Untreated Pa...
 
Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...
Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...
Hg analysis from the fish and their effect on human life by using Cold Vapor ...
 
Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...
Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...
Heavy Metals in organs and endoparasites of Oreochromisniloticus, Sediment an...
 
Assessment of the Plankton Biodiversity, Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Assessment of the Plankton Biodiversity,Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, BangladeshAssessment of the Plankton Biodiversity,Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Assessment of the Plankton Biodiversity, Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
 
Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...
Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...
Pathogenic and Saprophytic Leptospira species in water and soils from selecte...
 
Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...
Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...
Mycological flora of Clarias gariepinus exposed to an oilfield wastewater in ...
 
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Edible Tissues of Nile ...
 
A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...
A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...
A preliminary study on the toxic potentials of shea butter effluent using Cla...
 
Isolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture medium
Isolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture mediumIsolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture medium
Isolation and identification of bacteria in the rotifer mass culture medium
 
INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY
INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY
INFLUENCE OF LEACHATE MIGRATION ON GROUND WATER QUALITY
 
The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...
The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...
The chemical investigation on water pollution of kurnool district by water qu...
 
combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)
combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)
combined toxicity and bioconcentration of fluoride and arsenic in african (3)
 
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in water by solid-phase extraction couple...
 
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM MUNCIPAL LANDFILL AND ITS EFFECT ON SURROUN...
 
Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...
Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...
Nitrogen removal and mass balance in newly formed myriophyllum aquaticum meso...
 
pH meter Use, Calibration and application
pH meter Use, Calibration and applicationpH meter Use, Calibration and application
pH meter Use, Calibration and application
 
Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...
Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...
Hepatitis A virus and environmental quality indicators in aquatic ecosystems ...
 
SETAC meeting 2014
SETAC meeting 2014SETAC meeting 2014
SETAC meeting 2014
 
Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...
Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...
Application of Rapid Bioassay Method for Assessing Its Water Purification by ...
 

Similar to ETHEROWS.DOC

W1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report Final
W1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report FinalW1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report Final
W1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report FinalRon Zurawell
 
Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...
Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...
Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...RSIS International
 
Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in Akure
Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in AkureWater Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in Akure
Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in AkureAgriculture Journal IJOEAR
 
Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015
Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015
Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015sidi mohammed RAOUI
 
ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...
ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...
ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...Sadia Rahat
 
ABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptx
ABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptxABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptx
ABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptxAbrahamFlomo2
 
Analiza apei
Analiza apeiAnaliza apei
Analiza apeictta
 
Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...
Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...
Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...IOSR Journals
 
Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...
Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...
Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...Alexander Decker
 
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...ijac123
 
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...ijac123
 
Physiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptx
Physiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptxPhysiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptx
Physiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptxGovt.college,Nagda, ujjain.M.P
 
Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...
Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...
Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...Alexander Decker
 
Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accident
Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accidentRadioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accident
Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accidenttrabajomuestreo
 
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)inventionjournals
 

Similar to ETHEROWS.DOC (20)

W1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report Final
W1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report FinalW1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report Final
W1001 Cyanotoxin Program Status Report Final
 
Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...
Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...
Determination of Bacteriological and Physiochemical Properties of Som-Breiro ...
 
Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in Akure
Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in AkureWater Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in Akure
Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in Akure
 
Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015
Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015
Article Raoui S.M. aascit vol 1, n°2, 2015
 
ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...
ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...
ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER ...
 
ABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptx
ABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptxABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptx
ABRAHAM FLOMO PRESENTATION.pptx
 
Analiza apei
Analiza apeiAnaliza apei
Analiza apei
 
Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...
Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...
Toxicological Effect of Effluents from Indomie Plc on Some Biochemical Parame...
 
Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...
Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...
Preliminary investigation of some physicochemical parameters and water qualit...
 
Phytoplankton
PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton
Phytoplankton
 
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
 
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
REMOVAL OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS FROM GROUNDWATER WELLS U...
 
Physiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptx
Physiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptxPhysiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptx
Physiological and histopathological effects of Bisphenol A.pptx
 
Water quality- Awais
Water quality- AwaisWater quality- Awais
Water quality- Awais
 
Hydrological Parameters of East Kolkata Wetlands: Time Series Analysis
Hydrological Parameters of East Kolkata Wetlands: Time Series AnalysisHydrological Parameters of East Kolkata Wetlands: Time Series Analysis
Hydrological Parameters of East Kolkata Wetlands: Time Series Analysis
 
Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...
Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...
Assessment of pesticide residues in sediments collected from river ravi and i...
 
Lab Report 1
Lab Report 1Lab Report 1
Lab Report 1
 
Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accident
Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accidentRadioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accident
Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystemsfollowing the chernobyl accident
 
H0413437
H0413437H0413437
H0413437
 
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI)
 

More from Alvaro H. Pescador

MSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UK
MSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UKMSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UK
MSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UKAlvaro H. Pescador
 
PWHC Certification Oil & Gas BP
PWHC Certification Oil & Gas BPPWHC Certification Oil & Gas BP
PWHC Certification Oil & Gas BPAlvaro H. Pescador
 
5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank
5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank
5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World BankAlvaro H. Pescador
 
Chemical Engineering National Award Winner
Chemical Engineering National Award WinnerChemical Engineering National Award Winner
Chemical Engineering National Award WinnerAlvaro H. Pescador
 
Desing and Development of a Steady State System Simulator
Desing and Development of a Steady State System SimulatorDesing and Development of a Steady State System Simulator
Desing and Development of a Steady State System SimulatorAlvaro H. Pescador
 
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...Alvaro H. Pescador
 
EMP for 220,000 BPD Oil Refinery
EMP for 220,000 BPD Oil RefineryEMP for 220,000 BPD Oil Refinery
EMP for 220,000 BPD Oil RefineryAlvaro H. Pescador
 
Aviation Lead Environmental Assessor Course
Aviation Lead Environmental Assessor CourseAviation Lead Environmental Assessor Course
Aviation Lead Environmental Assessor CourseAlvaro H. Pescador
 
La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo
La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo
La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo Alvaro H. Pescador
 
Drinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPA
Drinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPADrinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPA
Drinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPAAlvaro H. Pescador
 
AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11
AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11
AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11Alvaro H. Pescador
 

More from Alvaro H. Pescador (20)

MSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UK
MSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UKMSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UK
MSc Studies Poll & Env Control Univ of Manchester, UK
 
PWHC Certification Oil & Gas BP
PWHC Certification Oil & Gas BPPWHC Certification Oil & Gas BP
PWHC Certification Oil & Gas BP
 
Audit Report RA PoMC Portrait
Audit Report RA PoMC PortraitAudit Report RA PoMC Portrait
Audit Report RA PoMC Portrait
 
Alvaro reference 11 Dec 15
Alvaro reference 11 Dec 15Alvaro reference 11 Dec 15
Alvaro reference 11 Dec 15
 
Al H Pescador Reference
Al H Pescador ReferenceAl H Pescador Reference
Al H Pescador Reference
 
5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank
5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank
5th Convention on Sust Dev. - World Bank
 
Chemical Engineering National Award Winner
Chemical Engineering National Award WinnerChemical Engineering National Award Winner
Chemical Engineering National Award Winner
 
6.. EPE OF EMS ISO 14001
6.. EPE OF EMS ISO 140016.. EPE OF EMS ISO 14001
6.. EPE OF EMS ISO 14001
 
SGQ Certified ISO 9001 by SGS
SGQ Certified ISO 9001 by SGSSGQ Certified ISO 9001 by SGS
SGQ Certified ISO 9001 by SGS
 
EPE OF EMS ISO 14001
EPE OF EMS ISO 14001EPE OF EMS ISO 14001
EPE OF EMS ISO 14001
 
Desing and Development of a Steady State System Simulator
Desing and Development of a Steady State System SimulatorDesing and Development of a Steady State System Simulator
Desing and Development of a Steady State System Simulator
 
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...
 
EMP for 220,000 BPD Oil Refinery
EMP for 220,000 BPD Oil RefineryEMP for 220,000 BPD Oil Refinery
EMP for 220,000 BPD Oil Refinery
 
Assessment Proposal NLWRA
Assessment Proposal NLWRAAssessment Proposal NLWRA
Assessment Proposal NLWRA
 
HSEQ Management Oil & Gas
HSEQ Management Oil & GasHSEQ Management Oil & Gas
HSEQ Management Oil & Gas
 
Aviation Lead Environmental Assessor Course
Aviation Lead Environmental Assessor CourseAviation Lead Environmental Assessor Course
Aviation Lead Environmental Assessor Course
 
CAREER EPISODES E-1
CAREER EPISODES E-1CAREER EPISODES E-1
CAREER EPISODES E-1
 
La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo
La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo
La Obra Narrativa de Andrés Caicedo
 
Drinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPA
Drinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPADrinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPA
Drinking Water Quality Indexes A & B used by USA-EPA
 
AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11
AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11
AER Strategic plan and work program 2009-11
 

ETHEROWS.DOC

  • 1. THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHE S T E R FACULTY OF BIOLOGY “Surv e y of the River Ethero w ” - POLLUTION DAMAGE - By: Alvaro H. Pescador R. To: Dr. Keith White MSc.POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MANCHESTER - 1996
  • 2. SURVEY OF THE RIVER ETHEROW OBJECTIVES By analysing the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of samples collected at different points of the river, the porpoise of this survey is to look to organic pollution in fresh water quality, as well as the pollution caused by heavy metals, studying the impact of the pollutants on the river’s invertebrates biota. This survey, looks on the one hand to key physical parameters of a running water such as flow, temperature (which determines the water density and influences its conductivity), and the river’s substract, that allows different species of invertebrates to live inside it. The flow and the temperature were established directly at each one of the sites that were monitored (1 to 9), whereas the invertebrates were taken by the kick-sampling technique, once the sample was taken they were killed and preserved “fixed” in a 4% water solution of formaldehyde. On the other hand, chemical parameters that influences the biota of the river such as the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), the dissolved Oxygen and the pH (Hydrogen Potential) were measured as well. Whereas the dissolved oxygen and the pH can be done directly, the BOD have to be established at the laboratory five days after the sample has been taken. Being this a biological surveillance, one of the main objectives is to study the invertebrates community of the river in order to establish the quality of
  • 3. the water, through the determination of the BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party Score) and the ASPT (Average Score per Taxa). Some other parameters such as the total hardness were determined as well. These, the heavy metals tests and the ammonia concentration are key indicators to establish whether the water is potable or not. 1. IMPACT OF ORGANIC POLLUTION ON WATER QUALITY The Table 1 provides the physical and chemical parameters that were measured in order to analyse the current impact of organic pollution on the river. The table shows the mean value between the samples taken on November 15th an November 22nd of 1995. When there was only one data available, as in the case of the BOD (the test were not established for the samples taken on the 15 th of November) the value that appears was the only one available. The suspended solids, the dissolved oxygen, the temperature of the water (which influences the maximum amount of dissolved oxygen in the water), the BOD, and the pH are the key parameters that allow us to measure the impact of the organic pollution on the water quality. In table 1, these values appears, except the one for suspended solids, for all the sites that were monitored, (site number 7 was not) in agreement with the map that appears in Appendix 1. TABLE 1 - ORGANIC POLLUTION INDICATORS
  • 4. Parameter/Site S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 Temperature (°C) 8.5 9.6 10.3 9.5 9.5 9.6 9.9 14.4 Dissolved O2 (mg/l) 17.6 17.3 18.1 17.4 12.6 12.1 19.5 15.8 Saturation of O2 % 88% 84% 86% 85% 61% 58% 93% 67% BOD (mg/l) 6.5 1.5 1 7.8 1.6 2.6 15.9 6.4 pH (pH units) 5.4 7.5 7.4 7 7.4 7.5 7.3 7.1 Phosphate (mg/L) 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.5 0.04 0.04 Ammonia (mg/L) 0.08 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.05 Nitrate (mg/L) 0.90 0.75 1.15 1.66 1.24 1.12 3.16 0.41 Chloride (mg/l) 1.7 1.1 2.1 1.3 1.6 2.2 2.0 1.2 The Saturation of O2 as percentage has been obtained in agreement with the ideal value (100% of saturation) that should be in the water at the temperature given1 . The values are taken for an atmospheric pressure of 1 atm, the deviation is to little to be taken into account since none of the sites is more than 1000 meters of altitude from the level of the sea (1 atm). In agreement whit Ellis2 we can classify the river (classes 1 to 4) for the quality of key values such as the Dissolved oxygen, the BOD5 and the Ammonia concentration by using the next criteria: 1A: good quality: Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation grater than 80% BOD (five days): Not grater than 3 mg/l Ammonia concentration: Not grater than 0.4 mg/l 1B Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation between 60-80% BOD (five days): Not grater than 5 mg/l 1 PERRY, Jhon, “Chemical Engeeniers’ Handbook”, New York, McGrw-Hill, 4a ed., 1963, p. 6-138. 2 ELLIS, K.V., “Surface Water Pollution and its Control”, London, Macmillan Press Ltd., 1989, p. 109-113.
  • 5. Ammonia concentration: Not grater than 0.9 mg/l 2. Fair quality Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation between 40-60% BOD (five days): Not grater than 9 mg/l Ammonia concentration: Grater than 0.9 mg/l 3. Poor quality Dissolved Oxygen: Saturation between 10-40% BOD (five days): Not grater than 17mg/l Ammonia concentration: Grater than 0.9 mg/l 4. Bad quality Waters which are inferior to class 3 in terms of dissolved oxygen and likely to be anaerobic at times. In agreement with this, in terms of oxygen, From table 1 we could classify sites 1 to 9 of the river Etherow as follows: Good quality, 1A: Sites 2 and 3. Good quality, 1B: Sites 1 and 5. Fair quality: Sites 4, 6 and 9. Poor quality: Site 8. FIG 1. ORGANIC POLLUTION: SATURATION OF O2 %
  • 6. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 Saturation of O2 % In spite of the high percentage of saturation of O2 in site 8 (93%), THE HIGHEST of all the sites, the poor quality of the water is given for the high value of the BOD5 obtained at the laboratory (Fig 2). Fig 2. BOD (mg/l) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 BOD (mg/l) Perhaps there has been a mistake during the lecture of the dissolved O2 at site 8 in the river, or the sample for the BOD could have been received some other external influence (and therefore to be spurious). It is estrange to find this high level of BOD (15.9 mg/l) in a place with such a high amount of dissolved oxygen (19.5 mg/l). Unfortunately we did not run a test for suspended solids, which is also useful to establish the amount of organic pollution in the water. Any way, in
  • 7. agreement with the classification stated by Ellis, as has been already analysed, the pollution by organic material in the river Etherow is not high, and the quality of the water in the different places that were monitored in relation with the Oxygen tests is really good, just with the exception of site 8, for the possible reasons already explained. 2. CURRENT IMPACT OF THE ORGANIC POLLUTION ON THE BIOTA. In order to establish the current impact of the pollution on the biota, a biological surveillance using invertebrates as bioindicatiors of the actual state of the quality of the river has been done. The different taxa of invertebrates that were identified at the laboratory appears in Table 2. The BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party Score) will be used in order to establish the quality of the river. TABLE 2 - OCCURRENCE OF INVERTEBRATES, 1995. TAXA/SITE BMW p Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 PHYLUM ANNELIDA Class Hirudinea (leeches) Glosiphonia complanata 3 0 0 2 1 0 3 14 0 Erpobdella octoculata 3 0 0 26 9 3 0 3 1 Helobdella stagnallis 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Class Oligochaeta (worms) 1 0 0 0 38 0 0 0 0 Lumbricidae 1 7 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 Haplotaxidae 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Lumbricullidae 1 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
  • 8. Tubificidae 1 0 10 15 0 0 0 0 0 PHYLUM MOLLUSCA Class Gastropoda (Snails) Ancylus fluviatilis Unidentified 7 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 14 0 Limnaea peregra 3 0 10 0 0 0 0 2 0 Viviparidae 3 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 Physa fontinalis 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 Theodoxus fluviatilis 3 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 Potamopyrgus jenkisi 3 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 Lymnaea glabra 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 1 Class Bivalvia (Two-shelled molluscs) Pisidium 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sphaerium 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 TAXA/SITE BMWP Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 PHYLUM CRUSTACEA (Shrimps and water lice) Asellus aquaticus 3 0 1 0 2 26 48 24 13 Gammarus pulex 6 0 0 5 29 1 12 13 0 PHYLUM CHELICERATA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PHYLUM INSECTA Order Coleoptera (Beetle, Larvae and adults) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gyrinidae (Beetle) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Haliplidae (Beetle) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Order Hemiptera(Water bugs) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Order Neuroptera (Megalop- tera-lace wings) Sialis lutaria 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Order Tricoptera (Caddis fly larvae) 1. Case caddis larvae Limeneplius lunatus 7 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2. Naked caddis larvae (u.spp.) 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rhyacophila dorsalis 7 3 0 0 0 2 0 3 1
  • 9. Hydropsyche instabilis 5 1 36 3 11 56 9 6 0 Chironomiss sp. 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 Polycentropus flavomaculatus 7 22 4 4 9 0 0 0 0 Order Ephemeroptera (u.spp.) 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 Beatis rhodani 5 11 13 0 2 56 7 125 23 Paraleptophlebia submarginata 10 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 TAXA/SITE BMWP Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 PHYLUM INSECTA (Cont.) Ecdyonurus venosus 10 1 0 0 0 1 4 5 1 Ephemerella ignita 10 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Habrophlebia tusca 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Order Plecoptera (u. spp.) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Protonemura meyeri 7 11 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 Anphinemura sulcicollis 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Perla bipunctata 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leuctra hippopus 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leuctra geniculata 10 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Order Diptera (fly larve) Chironomidae 2 3 18 4 0 29 0 27 9 Simuliidae 5 2 14 1 0 0 0 0 0 Tipulidae 5 3 1 0 0 1 4 8 9 Thaumalidae 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 Ceratopognidae 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 OTHERS (give phyla) Neuroptera sialis 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nematomorpha,class Gordidea (hairworm) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 RESULTS BMWP 64 45 42 28 39 47 63 39 No. of Taxa 11 9 10 7 9 6 14 9 ASPT 5,5 5 4.2 4 4,3 5 4,5 4,3 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
  • 10. The data that appears at the bottom of Table 2 is the result of the biological surveillance on 15 th and 22 th of November, 1995. In the case of sites 5, 8 and 9 there was only available the data on November 15 th and is the one that appears there. On the other sites, the value of the BMWP is slightly different for 15th and 22 th at each place. There has been taken the highest values of BMWP for each site (e.g. in site 1 are 61 and 64 respectively, therefore 64 is the one that appears here) as the current BMWP score of the site. These results are plot in figure 3. FIG 3. Current impact of the organic pollution on the biota of the river Etherow. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 BMWP As can be seen from Fig. 3, the quality of the water decreases steadily downstream from site 1 to site 4 where the BMWP score reaches its lowest level (28), this is the place where the Zn leachate is located. Then, the quality of the water increases from site 4 to 5, after the junction of the river Glossop, there, the BMWP reaches a value of 39. Among other things, the increasing of the quality of the water in site 5 is due to the good quality of
  • 11. the water of the river Glossop in site 8, just before the linking to the Etherow (BMWP=63). Finally, the quality of the water increases with the distance downstream from site 5 to 7 (the data used for site 7 has been calculated using Appendix 7, BMWP=76, in 1992). The relationship between the BMWP Score, the typical biota and river designation is given in the table 3. Table 3. BMWP and river designation TYPICAL BIOTA DESIGNATION BMWP SITE Salmonis,Plecoptera, Tricoptera, Amphipoda Good Quality + 70 Coarse fish All above group resticted except Anphipoda and Baetidae Fair Quality 30-70 1,2,3,5,6,8 Few fish Few Tricoptera&Baetidae Asellus dominant. Poor Quality 3-40 4,9 Very few fish if so. Few or no Asellus Chironomus dominant Bad Quality 1-3 No fish. Oligochetes dominat or no animals life. To Bad. 0-1 In agreement with Table 3 and the results plotted in figure 3, sites 1 to 3 and 5 to 6 of the river Etherow have a fair quality (BMWP between 30-70), the expected biota of the river in this places is summarised in table 3 as well. On the other hand, the worst condition of the river is found in site 4, with a BMWP score of 28: poor quality of the water, no fish will be found in this place and Asellus will be dominant. The river can be classified as to have good quality downstream from site 7(1992), with a BMWP score of 76.
  • 12. On the other hand, the ASPT, which is not only independent of the sample size (a larger sample is likely to include more families, inflating the BMWP score), but also less influenced by the seasons. Mason3 has established that the Lincoln Quality Index (LQI), inimically derived by Extence et al4 , using both the BMWP score and the ASPT can be a more accurate way for the surveillance in agreement with the River Quality Objectives (RQOs). To standardised the data a X raiting is given for the BMWP scores, whereas a Y rating is assigned to the ASPT. In agreement with the results, the scores for the Habitat-poor rifles and pools might be used in the case of the river Etherow: Table 4. Standardised Rating for the OQR. BMWP Score Rating X ASPT Rating Y 121+ 7 5.0+ 7 101-120 6 4.5-4.9 6 81-100 5 4.1-4.4 5 51-80 4 3.6-4.0 4 25-50 3 3.1-3.5 3 10-24 2 2.1-3.0 2 0-9 1 0-2.0 1 The Overall Quality Ranking is derived as: OQR = (X + Y) / 2 3 MASON C.F., “Biology of freshwater pollution”, New York, Longman Scientific& Technical, 2a ed, 1995, p. 234-239. 4 EXTENCE, C.A and FERGUSON A.J.D, “Aquatic invertebrate surveys as a water quality management tool in the Anglian water region”, Regul Rivers 4, 139-146.
  • 13. The table 5 shows the X and Y values that has been obtained using the BMWP scores and the ASPT at the bottom of table 2: Table 5. OQR for the rivers Etherow and Glossop S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 BMWP 64 45 42 28 39 47 63 39 Rating X 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 ASPT 5,5 5 4.2 4 4,3 5 4,5 4,3 Rating Y 7 7 5 4 5 7 6 5 OQR 5.5 5 4 3.5 4 5 5 4 The Overall quality ratings with their equivalent Lincoln Quality Index values and interpretation of results are shown in table 6. Table 6. OQR of the rivers Etherow and Glossop OQR Index Interpretation Site 6+ A++ Excellent quality 5.5 A+ Excellent quality 1 5 A Excellent quality 2,6, 8 4.5 B Good quality 4 C Good quality 3,5 3.5 D Moderate quality 4, 9 3 E Moderate quality 2.5 F Poor quality 2 G Poor quality 1.5 H Very poor quality 1 I Very poor quality The results are also plotted in Fig. 4, which shape is quite similar for the one shown in Fig. 3 (BMWP scores). As can be seen from the figure in next page, the OQR decreases steadily down stream from site 1 to site 4 where
  • 14. the quality of the water shows its lowest level (Moderate quality), then the river Etherow increases the quality of its water steadily downstream, reaching in site 6 an excellent quality, almost as good as the one of site 1 (located 6.2 Km after its boring, just before of the reservoir). Fig 4. OQR values of the river Etherow 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 OQR 3. LONG-TERM CHANGES IN THE WATER QUALITY ARISING FROM ORGANIC POLLUTION. The Appendix 3 provides information for the same parameters that appears in Table 1, for sites 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8, for odd years from 1981 to 1991, and in some cases (2, 4 and 7) until 1995. It can be seen from this data that the Dissolved Oxygen has been between 10 and 11 (mg/l) during all these years whereas the percentage of saturation never has been below 80% (just with the exception of site 2 in 1995, that was 79.1% which is very close to 80%).
  • 15. On the other hand, the BOD5 never has been grater than 6 mg/l during the last 15 years, and shows its highest values at site 7 as can be seen in table 7 and fig. 5. Table 7. BOD5 for the last twenty years at site 7. Year BOD Year BOD Year BOD Year BOD 1973 2.6 1978 2.8 1983 - 1988 2.5 1974 4.4 1979 4.5 1984 - 1989 2.5 1975 4.2 1980 - 1985 3.4 1990 5.2 1976 3.8 1981 3.7 1986 3.3 1991 3.8 1977 3.2 1982 4.3 1987 3.0 1992 2.9 Fig. 5. BOD5 in site 7 from 1973 to 1992. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 73 81 91 BOD As the highest BOD5 during the last years has happened in this site, and this is an index of organic pollution, it will be interesting to study what has been the impact on the biota in this place. Having in mind that site 7 measures the quality of the water of the river Etherow before entering to the river Goyt that in turn joins the Tame in Stockport, it is interesting as well to study what has been the impact of the organic pollution on the biota at the end of
  • 16. the river (site 7). Table 8 shows the occurrence of invertebrates in this site from 1970 to 1992. At the bottom of the table the BMWP score and the ASPT have been computed in each case. Table 8. Occurrence of invertebrates at site 7 from 1970 to 1992. TAXA / YEAR BMWP 1970 1975 1980 1985 1992 PLATHELMYTHES Policelys sp. 5 3 0 0 0 1 ANNELIDA Oligochaeta Glosiphonia complanata Erpobdella octoculata 1 3 3 3 0 0 3 0 1 3 1 0 3 2 3 3 1 2 MOLLUSCA Gastropoda Ancylus fluviatile Lymnae peregra Bivalvia Sphaerium sp. 7 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 CRUSTACEA Asellus aquaticus Gammarus pulex 3 6 2 0 2 0 3 0 4 1 2 2 INSECTA Plecoptera Isoperla grammatica Leutra sp. Nemoura sp. 10 10 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 TAXA/SITE BMWP 1970 1975 1980 1985 1992 INSECTA (Cont.) Ephemeroptera Rhithrogena semicolorata Ephemerella ignita Baethis rhodani 10 10 5 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 Coleoptera
  • 17. Dytiscidae 5 0 0 0 1 1 Tricoptera Rhyacophila dorsalis Polycentropus sp. Hydrospsyche siltalai Limnephilidae 7 7 5 7 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 1 1 2 0 Neuroptera Sialis sp. 4 0 0 0 0 1 Diptera Simulidae Chironomidae Tipulidae 5 2 5 0 4 0 3 3 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 0 BMWP 36 43 64 99 88 Rating X 3 4 4 5 5 ASPT 4.4 4.3 4.9 5.2 5.0 Rating Y 5 5 6 7 7 OQR 4 4.5 5 6 6 As can be seen from the results, the quality of the river has been improving from 1970 to 1992, the BMWP and the ASPT have been increasing almost steadily, and therefore the OQR shows a continues recovering from the organic pollution that river Etherow have achieved during the last 20 years. This behaviour of recuperation can be seen clearly in Fig. 8. Fig 8. Overall Quality Raiting showing the recovering of the river Etherow from Organic Pollution between 1970 and 1992.
  • 18. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1970 1975 1980 1985 1992 OQR Since 1985 the water have achieved an excellent quality in agreement with the interpretation given to the OQR, already described in table 6. This excellent quality remained steady in 1992. Site 7 (Fig. 8) shows the long- term recoverance of the river Etherow just before of the junction to the river Goyt and therefore, the impact of the organic pollution on the biota at the end of the river, as well as the impact that the Etherow will have in the quality of the water of the river Goyt which in turn joins the Tame at Stockport. 4. IMPACT ON HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON WATER QUALITY AND THE BIOTA. Table 9 shows the mean values of the concentration of heavy metals, the pH, and Total Hardness that were measured from site 1 to 9 on 15 th and 22th of November, 1995. Table 9. Heavy Metal Concentration in the rivers Etherow and Glossop Parameter or Metal/Site S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9
  • 19. Temperature (°C) 8.5 9.6 10.3 9.5 9.5 9.6 9.9 15.8 pH (pH units) 5.4 7.5 7.4 7 7.4 7.5 7.3 7.1 Conductivity (uS) 504 60 90 110 198 213 209 131 Copper (µg/l) 5 3 2.5 1.5 15 13.3 14.5 9.5 Zinc (µg/l) 55 31 21.5 31 46.5 53 55 50.5 Total Hardness (mg/l) 28 39.6 46.3 51 67 77 73 56 It is quite important to look to heavy metals due to they are conservative pollutants, they do not break down and therefore they effectively become permanent additions to the aquatic environment. They accumulate in organisms and some may biomagnify in food chains. The heavy metals of most widespread concern to human health are mercury, cadmium and lead5 . Nevertheless copper and zinc belong to the “Gray List Compounds” of the EEC. Fishes like salmon are more tolerant to zinc than to copper, the incipient LC50 has been estimated at a concentration of 50 µg/l for copper and 600 µg/l for zinc. Table 10 show the presence of these metals in the rivers Etherow and Glossop, whereas in figure 8 we can se the concentration down stream the Etherow. Fig 8. Concentration of zinc and copper downstream the Etherow 5 MASON, E.G., Ibid at p. 168.
  • 20. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 Copper ( g/l) Zinc ( g/l) It is really estrange that the river has a high concentration of zinc in site 1, most probably the data at this site must be spurious. Any way it is interesting to see that the concentration of zinc increases steadily from site 3 to site 6. The impact of the zinc leachate at site 4 is observed as the concentration of zinc increases downstream in sites 5 and 6. On the other hand, the concentration of copper is not as high as the one for zinc, but copper has a more lethal effect upon the organisms than zinc. For salmon, the incipient LC50 has been estimated to be a concentration of 50 µg/l for copper and 600 µg/l for zinc. As it is shown in Fig. 8, the highest concentration of copper (15 µg/l at site 5) and the highest concentration of zinc (55 µg/l at site 6) are below the incipient LC50 for the salmon. It is important to see as well that the pH influences the toxicity of the metals. If there is a little change in speciation and metal binding is weak at the biological surface as in the case of zinc and copper, the toxicity of the metal decreases when the pH decreases as well, due to competition for binding sites from hydrogen ions. Figure 9 shows the pH condition of the river Etherow.
  • 21. Fig. 9. Hydrogen Potential of the river Etherow 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 pH (pH units) As can be seen from figure 9, just with the exception of site 1 which shows an acid level of pH (5.3), the pH increases downstream from site 1 to site 2 reaching a condition very close to the desirable neutral pH (7) for potable water. This condition remains almost steadily through out the river; we can say that the pH levels of the river are really good. Impact on the river biota due to heavy metals pollution Species diversity in metal-polluted water is reduced, but tolerant species can be very abundant. Some species of invertebrates that are very sensitive to organic pollution, such as stoneflies and casselies caddies, are tolerant to heavy metal pollution. Whereas copper affects the photosynthesis of some algae like cyanobacteria, a concentration of 0.1 mg/l reduces the photosynthesis by 80% in Sprirulia
  • 22. Plantesis, bioaccumulation occurs in the moss Fontinalis squammosa, which concentration factor is 22.000 for zinc. There is not doubt that the presence of Zinc in the food chain is the major reason why site 4 has the worst biological indicators of the river Etherow (BMWP=28, ASPT=4 and OQR=3.5) which in agreement with the BMWP score can be interpreted as “poor condition” as was showed in table 5 and figure 3, or as “moderate quality” (Index D in the equivalent Lincoln Quality Index) as showed in table 6 and figure 4. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the leaching of Zinc that steel happens in site 4 because it is the major responsible for the depression in the quality of the water of the river, and absence of fish in sites 4 and 5. The presence of copper has to be carefully monitored as well, due to its incipient LC50 on salmons is just of 50 µg/l. On the other hand, in order to establish whether the water could be potable or not, it is important to look to the Total Hardness quality of the water. The values of table 10 appears plotted in figure 10. Figure 10. Total Hardness in the water of the river Etherow.
  • 23. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 Total Hardness (mg/l) Figure 10 show us that the amount of ions of Ca++ and Mg++ in the river Etherow increases steadily downstream. The highest values occurs once the Glossop has joined the Etherow in sites 5 and 6. There is not doubt that the total hardness in the water of the river Glossop (73) has a big influence in the increment of the hardness in the water at site 5 of the river Etherow. In agreement with its hardness the water could be potable, but the concentration of Ammonia, the BOD tests and the presence of metals such as zinc and copper do not allow us to reccomend Ehterow’s water as a drinking one. CONCLUSIONS The use of invertebrates in biological surveillance is very helpful to monitor the quality of running waters and work out Environmental Impact Assessment for organic pollution and/or sewage pollution, but some species that are very sensitive to organic pollution such as stoneflies and casselss cadis are more tolerant to heavy metal pollution. The cladophora algae is
  • 24. sensitive to zinc and can be used to monitor it, cladophora ausence could be an indicator of heavy metal pollution. As an empirical method, the Biological Monitoring Working Party score has a degree of error due to the size of the samples and to changes in the invertebrates population throughout the seasons of the year. These errors, can at least be standardised using the ASPT as well as the OQR that may be derived using both, the BMWP and the ASPT. In agreement with biological survilliance and the chemical analysis mainly sumaraized in tables 5 and 6, and clearly shown in figures 3 and 4, we can synthetize the surveyllance clasifying each part of the river in agreement with the NRA system, as it is show in table 12 of the next page. Ussing the map that appears in Appendix 1, and looking to the distances from one site to another, we can establish the conditions of the water in the river Etherow in amount of Kilometers without taken into account the distance of the Londendale Reservoir. Fig 12 NRA Quality System applied to the river Etherow WATER QUALITY CLASS SITE Distance (Km) POTENTAIL USES Good quality 1a Water of high quality suitable for potable supply abstractions and other abstractions; game or other high class fisheris; high amenity value. Good quality 1b 1,2,7* 7.5 Usuable for substantially the same purposes as class 1a but water of lower quality.
  • 25. Fair quality 2 3,5,6 8.5 Water supporting reasonably good coarse fisheries; water suitable for potable supply after advanced treatment; moderate amenity value. Poor qualituy 3 4 1.4 Waters which are polluted to an extent that fish are absent or only sporadically present; may be used for low grade industrial abstraction purposes. Considera- ble potential for further use ir cleaned up. Bad quality 4 Waters which are grosly polluted and are likelly to cause nuisance ---- * This value comes from the survey of 1992 in site 7. Finally, we can have a look to the water quality of the river Etherow as it is shown in the figures 10 and 11. Figure 10. The Quality of the water of the river Etherow 43% 49% 8% Class 1b: 7.5 Km = 43% Class 2: 8.5 Km = 49%
  • 26. Class 3: 1.4 Km = 8% Figure 11. The Class of the river Etherow in Kilometers. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Km 1b 2 3 APPENDIX 1. MAP OF THE RIVER ETHEROW