Discrete and time-integrated sampling for chromium load calculations in a watershed with an impoundment reservoir at an exceptionally low water level

Instantaneous (discrete) and time-integrated (composed) samples were collected during a 19-week period in a watershed impacted by discontinuous discharges from local tanneries (Carpathians Mountains, Poland). Existence of the impoundment reservoir in this watershed allowed investigation of its role in chromium transport. In collected samples, dissolved and particulate chromium concentrations were measured to apportion both loads. This study has demonstrated that the impoundment reservoir retains not only particulate but also a dissolved form of chromium and its efficiency reaches 74–94 %. Sampling results proved that chromium contamination in the investigated river is variable and discontinuous. Discrete sampling can lead to an underestimation of chromium contamination level (up to 78 %), especially when illegal/unexpected discharges occur in the watershed. A discrete sampling regime also produces less reliable data for contaminant budget calculations, especially in sites where strong variability of contamination is anticipated, while at the output from reservoirs, the load can be reasonably estimated using this mode of sampling.