A computer-based program for the assessment of water-induced contamination in irrigated lands

The non-point characteristic of agrarian contamination hinders its quantification and assignation to a specific territory. The objectives of this work were to unify methodological criteria for agro-environmental evaluation and to propose indices to quantify irrigation-induced contamination. The computer program Irrigation Land Environmental Evaluation Tool (in Spanish, EMR; http://www.jcausape.es/investigacion/EMR.htm ) was developed to evaluate the quality of irrigation and the agro-environmental impacts, based on the water, salt, and nitrate balances in the hydrological irrigation basins. The behavior of the proposed indices was analyzed using data registered in various irrigation districts in the Ebro valley (Spain). The Salt and Nitrate Contamination Indices (SCI and NCI, respectively) were based on the unitary mass of exported pollutants, corrected by the "natural and socioeconomic" conditions of the irrigation districts evaluated. SCI and NCI were related to water and nitrogen use, key factors in minimizing contamination. SCI and NCI admit a greater mass of exported pollutants in disadvantaged irrigation districts, which does not allow the exclusion of adequate management in any evaluated irrigation lands. EMR is a user-friendly tool at the service of the agro-environmental surveillance of irrigation lands.     

The Pollution Load by Nitrogen and Phosphorus IN the Jadro River

The objective of the investigations of the Jadro River, located in Croatia, was to estimate the nitrogen and phosphorus loads in the Jadro River spring and its streamflow by calculating the load in kg/day or tons/year and to compare this with the load for the maximum allowed concentrations (MAC) for drinking water (Official Bulletin, No 46/94) expressed in kg/day or tons/year.Daily pollution loads at the Jadro River spring for total N ranged from 0 to 304 kg, for NH₃-N from 0 to 38 kg, for NO₃-N from 0–1321 kg and for PO₄-P from 0–92 kg in the period from September 1993 to September 2003. When compared with MAC loads the results prove that the Jadro River spring is not polluted by nitrogen compounds and phosphorus.The average annual load for total N ranged from 10 to 33 t, for NH₃-N from 0.25 to 5.15 t, for NO₃-N from 40 to 190 t, and for PO₄-P from 0.3 to 11.5 t. The nitrogen compounds and phosphorus loads vary from one year to another without any constant decreasing or increasing trends. The annual average loads compared with the average annual MAC loads (especially for NH₃-N and PO₄-P) show that there were no threats of constant pollution of the spring.The loads for total N and PO₄-P along the Jadro River flow from the spring to the fishpond entrance were monitored over a five year period from September 1999 to September 2004. The results show no regularities. The highest annual total nitrogen load of 45 t was recorded at the entrance to the fishpond during the 2002/2003 period. The highest annual PO₄-P load of 10 t was measured at the Vidović Bridge during the 2003/2004 period; however, the concentrations of N and P did not exceed the MAC concentrations which are prescribed for drinking water.According to the investigation results of the daily and average annual loads compared with MAC loads for drinking water, it can be concluded that the Jadro River spring and its streamflow are not polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus.     

沱江流域主要污染负荷预测及时空分布特征

耦合社会-经济因子探究工业点源和生活污染源污染负荷未来变化趋势,可为优化水环境规划和管理方案提供理论依据。选取沱江流域为研究区域,采用经济增长预测法、工业点源传统统计法、人口趋势灰色模型预测法和排污系数法分别计算了2020-2025年该区域28个县(市、区)的工业GDP值,工业点源废水排放量及主要污染负荷(COD、NH₃-N、TN、TP),农村与城镇人口及生活污染源的主要污染负荷,并利用ArcGIS技术探究了工业点源和生活污染源主要污染负荷空间分布特征。结果表明:2020-2025年,工业GDP值总体呈逐年增加趋势,而工业废水排放量总体呈逐年减少趋势,预计到2025年,流域工业GDP值将增加至2.52×10¹²元,而工业废水排放量将减少至0.64×10⁸ t。工业点源主要污染负荷表现为COD>NH₃-N>TN>TP。沱江流域总人口数与生活污染源污染负荷呈逐年增加趋势,其中城镇人口与生活污染源污染负荷呈逐年增加趋势,农村人口与生活污染源污染负荷呈逐年减少趋势,且城镇人口及生活污染源污染负荷增加量大于农村人口及生活污染源污染负荷减少量。城镇、农村生活污染源的主要污染负荷表现为COD>NH₃-N>TN>TP。工业点源和生活污染源主要污染负荷在空间上存在高度异质性。2025年,来自工业点源的主要污染负荷均呈上游较少,中、下游较多的特征;来自城市生活污染源的主要污染负荷均呈中、上游较多,下游较少的特征;来自农村生活污染源的主要污染负荷均呈中游较多,上、下游较少的特征。笔者提出耦合社会-经济因子预测流域污染负荷的方法可以推广到其他与社会经济指标相关联的流域工业点源、生活污染源污染负荷的预测研究中,以期为未来流域水环境管理与治理提供科学参考。     

Inorganic nitrogen transformations in the treatment of landfill leachate with a high ammonium load: A case study

The inorganic nitrogen transformations occurring at a municipal waste leachate treatment facility were investigated. The treatment facility consisted of a collection well and an artificial wetland between two aeration ponds. The first aeration pond showed a decrease in ammonium (from 3480 (± 120) to 630(± 90) mg ⋅ L⁻¹), a reduction in inorganic nitrogen load (3480 to 1680 mg N ⋅ L⁻¹), and an accumulation of nitrite (< 1.3 mg-N ⋅ L⁻¹ in the collection well, to 1030 mg-N ⋅ L⁻¹). Incomplete ammonium oxidation was presumably the result of the low concentration of carbonate alkalinity (∼2 mg ⋅ L⁻¹), which may cause a limitation in the ammonium oxidation rate of nitrifiers. Low carbonate alkalinity levels may have been the result of stripping of CO₂ from the first aeration pond at the high aeration rates and low pH. Various chemodenitrification mechanisms are discussed as the reason for the reduction in the inorganic nitrogen load, including; the reduction of nitrite by iron (II) (producing various forms of gaseous nitrogen); and reactions involving nitrous acid. It is suggested that the accumulation of nitrite may be the result of inhibition of nitrite oxidizers by nitrous acid and low temperatures. Relative to the first aeration pond, the speciation and concentration of inorganic nitrogen was stable in the wetlands and 2nd aeration pond. The limited denitrification in the wetlands most probably occurred due to low concentrations of organic carbon, and short retention times.     

基于DPeRS模型的渭河典型断面汇水区面源污染评估及污染成因分析

近年来甘肃渭河桦林断面月度水质不稳定达标的问题引起了管理部门的广泛关注,掌握桦林断面汇水范围面源污染现状,对控制流域面源污染和促进水质稳定达标具有重要意义。采用遥感分布式污染估算（DPeRS）面源污染评估模型,对2018年黄河流域甘肃桦林断面汇水区面源污染空间分布特征进行分析,开展多类型污染量产排特征解析。结果表明：农业面源污染量方面,2018年甘肃桦林断面汇水区总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）、氨氮（NH⁺₄-N）、重铬酸盐指数（COD_Cr）面源污染排放量分别为11 591,2 697,7 141和1 458 t,入河量分别为2 184,512,1347,263 t;空间分布上,氮型（TN和NH⁺₄-N）排放负荷高值区主要分布在陇西县、武山县县段和岷县县段;武山县县段TP排放负荷较为突出;COD_Cr型面源污染高负荷区主要分布在陇西县、渭源县县段和武山县县段。农业面源污染物入河排放负荷空间分布差异明显,氮磷型（TN、NH⁺₄-N和TP）入河高负荷区主要分布在武山县县段、陇西县、临洮县县段;COD_Cr型面源污染入河高负荷区呈分散分布。漳县西部地区水土流失量较高,漳县西部、陇西县和渭源县县段北部局部地区泥沙负荷量较高。枯水期污染治理仍是保障水质稳定达标的关键期,农田径流是渭河桦林断面所在汇水区氮磷型面源污染的首要污染类型,畜禽养殖是COD_Cr型面源污染的首要污染类型。     

污灌区重金属污染对土壤的危害

由于土壤中重金属元素的含量对人体健康影响很大，淮阴市环境监测中心站于１９９３年至１９９７年造反某污灌区中０．６６７ｈｍ＾２的蔬菜田及其邻近的某一地下水灌区中０．６６７ｈｍ＾２的蔬菜田按梅花布点法分别布设８个测点，对其土壤中的总镉、总汞、总砷、总铬和总锅进行监测。结果表明，地下水藻区５年来综合污染指数变化不大，污染等级属安全级，说明该灌区没有受到重金属污染，而污灌区的综合污染指数逐年增高，１９９５年     

Water quality assessment: surface water sources used for drinking and irrigation in Zaria,Nigeria are a public health hazard

We assessed the quality and pollution status of source surface waters in Zaria, Nigeria by monitoring the nature, cause and extent of pollution in Samaru stream, Kubanni River and Kubanni dam over a period of 10 months, between March and December 2002. A total of 228 water samples was collected from 12 sites and analysed for a total of ten physicochemical and one bacteriological quality indicators, using standard methods. Aesthetic water quality impairment parameters were also observed. The mean values of most water quality parameters were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the stream and river than in the dam. There was no significant correlation between faecal coliform counts (FCC) and water temperature (in the range 15–33°C); pH (5.77–7.32); and turbidity (1.4–567 NTU). The high FCC ranged from 2.0 × 10¹ to 1.6 × 10⁶ MPN/100 ml and exceeded the WHO standards for drinking water and water used for fresh-produce irrigation, and correlated positively (P < 0.05) with conductivity (in the range 68–1,029 μS/cm); TDS (10.0–70.0 mg/l); TSS (10.0–70.0 mg/l); Cl (7.5–181 mg/l); PO₄⁻P (0.01–0.41 mg/l); NO₃⁻N (0.6–3.8 mg/l) and BOD₅ (0.1–14.9 mg/l). The main pollution sources were municipal wastewater, stormwater runoffs, the ABU sewage treatment plant, abattoir effluents and irrigation farms treated with chemical fertilisers. We conclude that these water bodies are potentially hazardous to public health and that proper sewage treatment and river quality monitoring are needed to warn against hazards to public health.     

杭州市大气污染物排放清单及特征

以杭州市区为研究区域,通过调查整合多套污染源数据库及其他统计资料,研究文献报道及模型计算的各种污染源排放因子,获得杭州市区各行业PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NOx、CO、VOCs、NH3等污染物的排放量,建立了杭州市区2010年1 km×1 km大气污染物排放清单。结果表明,2010年杭州市区PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NOx、CO、VOCs和NH3的排放总量分别为7.96×104、4.02×104、7.23×104、8.98×104、73.90×104、39.56×104、3.32×104t。从排放源的行业分布来看,机动车尾气排放是杭州市区大气污染物最重要排放源之一,对PM10、PM2.5、NOx、CO和VOCs的贡献分别达到14.4%、27.1%、40.3%、21.4%、31.1%。道路扬尘、电厂锅炉、工业炉窑、植被、畜禽养殖对不同污染物分别有着重要贡献,道路扬尘对PM10和PM2.5的贡献分别为44.6%和20.0%、电厂锅炉对SO2和NOx的贡献分别为37.0%和25.7%、工业炉窑对CO的贡献为41.5%、植被排放对VOCs的贡献为27.1%、畜禽养殖对NH3的贡献为76.5%。从空间分布来看,萧山区和余杭区对SO2、NH3和植被排放BVOC的贡献要显著高于主城区;而主城区机动车对PM2.5、NOx和VOCs的贡献分别达到36.3%、56.0%和47.4%,较市区范围内显著增加,表明机动车尾气排放已成为杭州主城区大气污染最重要的来源之一。     

Quality of Shallow Groundwater and Drainage Water in Irrigated Agricultural Lands in A Mediterranean Coastal Region of Turkey

Spatial and seasonal differences in water quality of drainage water and unconfined shallow groundwater were related to irrigation in Samandağ, a Mediterranean coastal region. Eighteen wells, seven drainage points and Orontes River were monitored bimonthly for one year for analyses of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), cations (Na, K, Ca + Mg) and anions (CO₃, HCO₃, Cl and SO₄). Agricultural irrigation using saline groundwater decreased water quality of Orontes River during the irrigation season (May to September) more than during the non-irrigation season (October to April). Seasonal fluctuations in water quality of shallow groundwater were greater during the irrigation season than the non-irrigation season in the study area. Excessive use of groundwater resulted in a decline in the water table levels in the irrigation season. Water table level rose up to the soil surface in areas where there was a lack of drainage or poor drainage, due to the impact of precipitation in the winter. SAR and pH values of drainage water increased in the irrigation season, while the other properties of drainage water decreased. Irrigation water quality of Orontes River was classified as C₃S₁ in both seasons. Irrigation water quality of shallow groundwater and drainage water varied from C₂S₁ to C₄S₂ in one year. Drainage and well waters were found to be different on yearly basis in terms of Na, SAR (p<0.01) and Ca + Mg concentrations (p<0.001). Ca + Mg concentrations for both sources were different for all sampling dates (p<0.001).     

黄河流域甘肃段面源污染估算与空间分析

采用遥感分布式面源污染评估模型（DPeRS）,对2018年黄河流域(甘肃段)面源污染空间分布特征进行分析,具体包括多类型污染量产排特征解析和流域优先管控单元识别。结果表明,污染量上,2018年黄河流域（甘肃段）总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、氨氮(NH₃^-N)、化学需氧量(COD_Cr)的面源污染排放负荷分别为65.6,11.8,19.1和77.2 kg/km²,入河量分别为836.7,33.3,220.2和1 353.3 t;空间分布上,氮型(TN和NH₃^-N)排放负荷高值区主要分布在流域中部和东部局部地区,流域大部分地区TP排放负荷均较高,COD_Cr面源污染排放负荷高值区分布较为零散。与排放负荷相比,黄河流域（甘肃段）面源污染入河负荷并不突出,这与该地区水资源量少有密切关系。筛选出黄河流域（甘肃段）面源污染优先控制单元15个,面积占比为85.2%,I类优控单元主要分布在庆阳市、天水市、兰州市和白银市等地区,II类优控单元主要分布在甘南藏族自治州,且TN、TP、NH₃^-N和COD_Cr面源污染优控单元识别结果的平均精度达到80%。     

Spatial concentration distributions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in Patras, Greece, in a winter period

An economic and quick methodology for performing a preliminary spatial assessment of a city air quality with the purpose to identify locations and zones susceptible to high pollution levels is proposed. A Patras case-study is selected, regarding the air pollutants of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x). A total number of 451 samples of short duration, of which 225 were randomly picked in morning rush hours and 226 within evening rush hours, were collected from 50 locations of the major Patras area during a year period, when peaks of primary air pollutants usually occur. Concentration measurements at prescribed locations used to statistically calculate spatial average concentrations approximating 1-h mean values with mean probable errors less than 25.9% for SO₂, NO and NO_x and less than 15.5% for NO₂. Then iso-concentration contour diagrams plotted indicate high pollution zones and possibly appropriate locations for continuous or random monitoring according to the European Community (EC) Directives. The 1-h mean concentrations were in good correlation to the corresponding traffic rates and useful relationships are given (0.54 ≤ r ≤ 0.63). In addition, comparisons with data available for other cities, as well as with the limit and guide values provided by the EC and the World Health Organization (WHO) were given. The present data could be useful for the design and optimization of a city network of stations for monitoring air quality, for environmental impact assessments, future reference and comparisons due to city development needs, as well as for validating dispersion models.     

Impact Assessment and Recommendation of Alternative Conjunctive Water Use Strategies for Salt Affected Agricultural Lands through a Field Scale Decision Support System – A Case Study

Conjunctive use of saline/non-saline irrigation waters is generally aimed at minimizing yield losses and enhancing flexibility of cropping, without much alteration in farming operations. Recommendation of location-specific suitable conjunctive water use plans requires assessment of their long-term impacts on soil salinization/sodification and crop yield reductions. This is conventionally achieved through long-term field experiments. However such impact evaluations are site specific, expensive and time consuming. Appropriate decision support systems (DSS) can be time-efficient and cost-effective means for such long-term impact evaluations. This study demonstrates the application of one such (indigenously developed) DSS for recommending best conjunctive water use plans for a, rice-wheat growing, salt affected farmer’s field in Gurgaon district of Haryana (India). Before application, the DSS was extensively validated on several farmers and controlled experimental fields in Gurgaon and Karnal districts of Haryana (India). Validation of DSS showed its potential to give realistic estimates of root zone soil salinity (with R = 0.76–0.94; AMRE = 0.03–0.06; RMSPD = 0.51–0.90); sodicity (with R = 0.99; AMRE = 0.02; RMSPD = 0.84) and relative crop yield reductions (AMRE = 0.24), under existing (local) resource management practices. Long term (10 years) root zone salt build ups and associated rice/wheat crop yield reductions, in a salt affected farmer’s field, under varied conjunctive water use scenarios were evaluated with the validated DSS. It was observed that long-term applications of canal (CW) and tube well (TW) waters in a cycle and in 1:1 mixed mode, during Kharif season, predicted higher average root zone salt reductions (2–9%) and lower rice crop yield reductions (4–5%) than the existing practice of 3-CW, 3-TW, 3-CW. Besides this, long-term application of 75% CW mixed with 25% TW, during Rabi season, predicted about 17% lower average root-zone salt reductions than the cyclic applications of (1-CW, 1-TW, 2-CW) and (2-CW, 1-TW, 1-CW, i.e., existing irrigation strategy). However, average wheat crop yield reductions (16–17%) simulated under all these strategies were almost at par. In general, cyclic-conjunctive water use strategies emerged as better options than the blending modes. These results were in complete confirmation with actual long-term conjunctive water use experiments on similar soils. It was thus observed that such pre-validated tools could be efficient means for designing, local resource and target crop yield-specific, appropriate conjunctive water use plans for irrigated agricultural lands.     

河源市2014-2017年空气污染特征及天气类型分析

利用2014—2017年河源城区环境空气自动监测站数据和气象数据，对期间出现的污染天气过程进行统计，对影响污染的天气类型进行分类。结果表明，2014—2017年，河源城区累计出现污染天气65 d，超标污染物主要为PM_2.5和O₃，O₃超标比例逐年上升成为达标率首要影响因子。PM_2.5易污染天气型中冷高压出海占比最多（38.2%），其次为冷锋前（17.7%）和均压场（14.8%）；O₃易污染天气型中副高控制占比最多（31.0%），其次为副高叠加台风外围（24.1%）和冷高压出海（13.8%）及均压场（13.8%）。河源城区低程度污染（AQI值101～110）占比较大。     

辛集市"十三五"期间空气质量特征分析

重点对河北省辛集市"十三五"期间整体空气质量变化情况以及影响辛集市优良天数的2个重要参数O₃和PM_2.5的污染规律进行了分析。结果表明,辛集市"十三五"期间空气质量改善明显,优良天数整体增加,污染天数整体减少。O₃浓度及其作为首要污染物出现的天数整体呈现上升趋势,对综合指数的贡献率逐年增加;O₃污染高发期主要集中在4—9月,高值区域分布差距较大,但市区污染持续突出。PM_2.5浓度逐年下降,以PM_2.5为首要污染物的天数逐年减少;PM_2.5浓度季节变化特征整体呈现"秋冬高、春夏低"的分布特点,空间分布呈"南北高、中间低"的污染特征。     

石家庄市大气颗粒物元素组分特征分析

为研究石家庄市大气颗粒物的污染特征及其来源,于2013年4—5月在主城6区分别采集TSP、PM10和PM2.5颗粒物样品,利用ICP-MS分析其中的22种元素浓度。结果表明,石家庄市城区Ca、Fe元素在各粒径颗粒物中含量都较高,PM2.5中的S、K含量较高,PM10和TSP中Mg、Al的浓度相对较高。颗粒物的主要来源为燃煤尘、道路尘和建筑尘,TSP、PM10和PM2.5具有较好的统计相关性和同源性。     

基于GIS的唐山地区大气污染物时空分布研究

应用数据统计和ArcGIS对北方重工业城市唐山地区2014年14个县(区)18个空气自动监测站的数据进行时空分布特征分析,监测的污染物为PM_(10)、SO_2、NO_2、PM_(2.5)、O_3、CO共6项。利用ArcGIS对各个自动监测站污染物数据建立网格模型,采用反距离权重法分别对年均、采暖期、非采暖期的环境空气质量综合指数和6项污染因子浓度的空间分布进行估算,直观比较了污染物在不同时期内的空间分布状况。结果表明,空气质量时间分布较为明显,非采暖期明显好于采暖期。同时,计算出每个网格单元污染指数的标准偏差,结合气象气候、地形地势、工业发展等情况,分析得出北部山区、市中心区附近区域空气质量波动较大。为区域大气污染有针对性的综合防治、联防联控及污染物区域削减计划打下数据基础。     

Impact of Post-Methanation Distillery Effluent Irrigation on Groundwater Quality

Molasses-based distilleries generate large quantities of effluent, which is used for irrigation in many countries including India. The effluent is rich in organic and inorganic ions, which may leach down and pollute the groundwater. An on-farm experiment was conducted to assess the impact of long-term irrigation with post-methanation distillery effluent (PMDE) on nitrate, sulphate, chloride, sodium, potassium, and magnesium contents in the groundwater of two sites in northwest India. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and colour were also determined to assess the chemical load in the groundwater. Nitrate content in the groundwater samples ranged from 16.95 mg L⁻¹ in the unamended fields to 59.81 mg L⁻¹ in the PMDE-amended fields during the 2-year study (2001–2002). Concentrations of TDS in water samples from tubewell of the amended field was higher by 40.4% over the tubewell water of the unamended field. Colour of the water samples of the amended fields was also darker than that of the unamended fields. The study indicated that the organic and inorganic ions added through the effluent could pose a serious threat to the groundwater quality if applied without proper monitoring.     

Determination of road dust loadings and chemical characteristics using resuspension

The contribution of fugitive dust from traffic to air pollution can no longer be ignored in China. In order to obtain the road dust loadings and to understand the chemical characteristics of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from typical road dust, different paved roads in eight districts of Beijing were selected for dust collection during the four seasons of 2005. Ninety-eight samples from 28 roads were obtained. The samples were resuspended using equipment assembled to simulate the rising process of road dust caused by the wind or wheels in order to obtain the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 filter samples. The average road dust loading was 3.82 g m^− 2, with the highest of 24.22 g m^− 2 being in Hutongs in the rural–urban continuum during winter. The road dust loadings on higher-grade roads were lower than those on lower-grade roads. Attention should be paid to the pollution in the rural–urban continuum areas. The sums of element abundances measured were 16.17% and 18.50% for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in road dust. The average abundances of OC and EC in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in road dust were 11.52%, 2.01% and 12.50%, 2.06%, respectively. The abundance of elements, water-soluble ions, and OC, EC in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 resuspended from road dust did not change greatly with seasons and road types. The soil dust, construction dust, dust emitted from burning coal, vehicle exhaust, and deposition of particles in the air were the main sources of road dust in Beijing. Affected by the application of snow-melting agents in Beijing during winter, the amount of Cl⁻ and Na⁺ was much higher during that time than in the other seasons. This will have a certain influence on roads, bridges, vegetations, and groundwater.     

Deposition in boreal forests in relation to type, size, number and placement of collectors

Open precipitation and throughfall was collected at a Norway spruce stand in Finland using funnel-type collectors and at a black spruce stand in Canada using trough-type collectors. The presence or absence of a rim on the funnel, funnel diameter (9, 14 and 20 cm) and length of sampling period (1, 2 and 4 weeks) on monthly values were evaluated at the Norway spruce stand, and the number of collectors required for defined levels of accuracy and precision of throughfall loads to be reached and the influence of the spatial arrangement of collectors on solute concentrations was studied at both stands. The presence of a rim had no significant effect on open precipitation and throughfall amounts, but did on throughfall DOC, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ion loads. Deposition loads increased with decreasing funnel diameter; for open precipitation, this was due to increased catch efficiency while for throughfall the increase was attributed to canopy interaction and leaching of litter trapped in the collectors. Calculated monthly H⁺ loads decreased and those for all other constituents increased with collection period length. Using 15 collectors at the Norway spruce stand would allow throughfall loads to be determined to within 20% of the true mean weekly value with a confidence level of 95% for most solute, but not for NH₄ ⁺–N, NO₃ ⁻–N, Mg²⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻-S. Using 15 trough collectors, the same confidence level at the more heterogeneous black spruce stand would only be achieved for H⁺, Cl⁻, DOC and SO₄ ²⁻-S loads. In both stands, using either random or systematic placements of throughfall collectors gave similar results.     

Hydrogeochemistry and Groundwater Quality Assessment of Lower Part of the Ponnaiyar River Basin, Cuddalore District, South India

The Lower Ponnaiyar River Basin forms an important groundwater province in South India constituted by Tertiary formations dominated by sandstones and overlain by alluvium. The region enjoyed artesian conditions 50 years back but at present frequent failure of monsoon and over exploitation is threatening the aquifer. Further, extensive agricultural and industrial activities and urbanization has resulted in the increase in demand and contamination of the aquifer. To identify the sources and quality of groundwater, water samples from 47 bore wells were collected in an area of 154 km² and were analysed for major ions and trace metals. The results reveal that the groundwater in many places is contaminated by higher concentrations of NO₃, Cl, PO₄ and Fe. Four major hydrochemical facies Ca–Mg–Cl, Na–Cl, Ca–HCO₃ and Na–HCO₃ were identified using Piper trilinear diagram. Salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, and sodium percentage indicate that most of the groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation as well as for domestic purposes and far from drinking water standards. The most serious pollution threat to groundwater is from nitrate ions, which are associated with sewage and fertilizers application. The present state of the quality of the lower part of Ponnaiyar River Basin is of great concern and the higher concentration of toxic metals (Fe and Ni) may entail various health hazards.