Anthropogenic impacts on the distribution and biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality of the Langat River, Peninsular Malaysia

A study of the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the distribution and biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality of the Langat River (Peninsular Malaysia) was conducted. Four pristine stations from the upstream and 4 stations at the downstream receiving anthropogenic impacts were selected along the river. For 4 consecutive months (March-June 1999), based on the Malaysian DOE (Malaysia Environmental Quality Report 2000, Department of Environment, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment Malaysia. Maskha Sdn. Bhd. Kuala Lumpur, 86pp; Malaysia Environmental Quality Report 2001, Department of Environment, Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment Malaysia) water quality index classes, the upstream stations recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher Biological Monitoring Working Party scores and better water quality indices than those of the downstream. The total number of macrobenthic taxa and their overall richness indices and diversity indices were significantly (P<0.05) higher at the upstream stations (54 taxa) than at the downstream stations (5 taxa). The upstream of the Langat River was dominated by Ephemeroptera and chironomid dipterans while other orders found in small quantities included Trichoptera, Diptera, Plecoptera, Odonata, Ephemeraptera, Coleoptera, and Gastropoda. On the other hand, the downstream of the river was mainly inhabited by the resistant Oligochaeta worms Limnodrilus spp. and Branchiodrilus sp. and Hirudinea in small numbers. The relationships between the physicochemical and the macrobenthic data were investigated by Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis. These statistical analyses showed that the richness and diversity indices were generally influenced by the total suspended solids and the conductivity of the river water. This study also highlighted the impacts of anthropogenic land-based activities such as urban runoff on the distribution and species diversity of macrobenthic invertebrates in the downstream of the Langat River. The data obtained in this study supported the use of the bioindicator concept for Malaysian rivers. Some sensitive (Trichopteran caddisflies and Ephemeraptera) and resistant species (Oligochaeta such as Limnodrilus spp.) are identified as potential bioindicators of clean and polluted river ecosystems, respectively, for Malaysian rivers.     

Biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes of Limnoperna fortunei detect site impact in watercourses of Córdoba,Argentina

The golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei was used as a biomonitor of environmental pollution in the Suquía River basin around Córdoba City (Argentina). The sampling sites along the river were chosen according to their increasing levels of pollutants (e.g. heavy metals) as well as biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). A water quality index (WQI) was constructed from the interaction of several normalized factors that affect the aquatic environment, such as the mentioned pollutants and physico-chemical characteristics of the sampling sites. Activity changes of biotransformation enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT), after exposure to pollutants, served as biomarkers. Membrane bound GST and antioxidant enzymes responded at the most polluted sampling site within 1 day showing increased activities lasting for 4 days. Further sampling was restricted due to no survival of the animals. Antioxidant enzymes GPx, GR and CAT were sensitive responding to the different pollution scenarios, showing good correlation to the chemical characterization.     

沙颍河流域某段污染现况及生态风险评价

[目的]选择沙颍河某段为研究对象,评价2011年该河流域某段的整体污染状况,为健康评价提供参考。[方法]分别在丰水期、枯水期采集沙颍河流域内某段河水和底泥及该河段流域内BG村与HS村农田土壤样本进行检测。采用水质综合评价污染指数法对流域内河流水质进行评价;对河流底泥、流域内农田土壤进行潜在生态风险评价。[结果]污染指数水质综合评价法结果显示沙颍河某段丰水期、枯水期3断面均为6级污染等级（WQI为10．0-100．0）;对沙颍河某段底泥进行潜在生态风险评价结果显示,3断面底泥汞的单因子潜在生态风险指数最高（145．520,154．267,135．573）,属于强生态风险（80～160）;BG村、HS村农田土壤中汞的单因子潜在生态风险指数分别为182．253、138．463,分别属于很强生态风险（160—320）和强生态风险（80～160）。[结论]沙颍河丰水期、枯水期河水水质均为严重污染;底泥、土壤中汞污染超标严重,对人群具有强生态风险。     

Water quality and concentration of alkylphenols in rivers used as source of drinking water and flowing through urban areas

Objectives To examine nonylphenol (NP) and 4-t-octylphenol (OP) concentrations and general water quality indicators along a river in the greater Tokyo area and to specify the distribution and origin of alkylphenols. Methods Water was sampled from the Edogawa River, a main river in the greater Tokyo area, which is a source of public drinking water; and the Sakagawa River system, a tributary of the Edogawa River. To determine alkylphenol in river water. NP and OP concentrations were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results The detection rates of NP above the detection limit were 100% in both rivers, and those of OP were 75.0% in the Edogawa River and 92.9% in the Sakagawa River system. The median NP and OP concentrations in the Edogawa River were 0.24 μg/1 and 0.066 μg/l, and those in the Sakagawa River system were 0.87 μg/l and 0.19 μg/l respectively. Alkylphenol concentrations are significantly higher in the Sakagawa River system than in the Edogawa River. In the Sakagawa River system, the NP and OP concentrations were highest in the water along the nonindustrial area with an underdeveloped sewerage system. Conclusions NP and OP were detected widely in the Edogawa River and Sakagawa River system. Endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) pollution in a river by the inflow of urban wastewater was demonstrated. A systematic monitoring of alkylphenols in tributary rivers and streams as well as in main rivers will help control EDC pollution and protect the source of drinking water in urban areas.     

Physico-chemical and biological investigations of River Umshyrpi at Shillong, Meghalaya

River Umshyrpi is the major river in Shillong that passes across the city. Domestic waste, solid waste, agricultural run off from surrounding areas are entering into the river bodies through different drains. Water samples from various sites were collected and analysed for physico-chemical and biological parameters to assess the quality of the river system. The study reveals that physico-chemical parameters are within the permissible limit whereas the biological parameters are found to exceed the permissible limit which indicate unpotability of water for drinking purposes.     

Water quality assessment of Lebanese coastal rivers during dry season and pollution load into the Mediterranean Sea

The chemical and microbiological properties of Lebanese perennial coastal rivers were studied during the dry season extending from July to September 2004. The results indicate significant levels of pollution in all eight rivers. Although many physical and chemical variables were within WHO guidelines for drinking water, coliform levels were unacceptably high indicating pollution from untreated sewage. The most polluted rivers in most categories were the Abu Ali and Antelias. With the exception of bacterial and phosphate loadings, Awali River provides the highest amount of pollution to the Mediterranean mainly due to its high water flow, although it is one of the least polluted rivers. The urgent need for controlling wastewater dumping into river streams is emphasized. The data obtained should serve as a reference point to assess the efficiency of planned wastewater treatment plants.     

Water quality assessment of Lebanese coastal rivers during dry season and pollution load into the Mediterranean Sea

The chemical and microbiological properties of Lebanese perennial coastal rivers were studied during the dry season extending from July to September 2004. The results indicate significant levels of pollution in all eight rivers. Although many physical and chemical variables were within WHO guidelines for drinking water, coliform levels were unacceptably high indicating pollution from untreated sewage. The most polluted rivers in most categories were the Abu Ali and Antelias. With the exception of bacterial and phosphate loadings, Awali River provides the highest amount of pollution to the Mediterranean mainly due to its high water flow, although it is one of the least polluted rivers. The urgent need for controlling wastewater dumping into river streams is emphasized. The data obtained should serve as a reference point to assess the efficiency of planned wastewater treatment plants.     

Metal bioaccumulation in the Mediterranean barbel (Barbus meridionalis) in a Mediterranean river receiving effluents from urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants

Although sewage treatment plants (STPs) play a crucial role in maintaining the water quality and flow of Mediterranean rivers, particularly during drought periods, few studies have addressed their impact on aquatic fauna. Here we analyzed the role of STPs as a source of metals in the Ripoll River, a heavily urbanized and industrialized watercourse with a long history of anthropogenic disturbance. For this purpose, we measured iron, mercury, cadmium, zinc, lead, nickel and copper accumulation in the liver and muscle of the Mediterranean barbel, Barbus meridionalis and also the concentrations of these metals in the river water. Industrial and urban sewage treatment plants are source of metals in Ripoll River but the former mainly increases Zn and Ni values. Significant differences in metal bioaccumulation between reference and polluted sites were detected. Nevertheless, there was only a significant positive relationship between bioaccumulation of Cu and Hg, and their concentration in water. In addition, the lead concentration in fish was not clearly associated with the presence of STPs. On the basis of morphometric parameters, the hepato-somatic index was the only one denoting significant differences between polluted and references sites. Given that fish are key elements in food webs, recreational fishing is practice in this area and that river water is used for agricultural purposes, we recommend long-term studies to analyze the impact of metal pollution in this river.     

Salinity Tolerances of Selected Macroinvertebrates of the Sabie River,Kruger National Park,South Africa

Salinization has been identified as the most important problem facing the managers of South African freshwaters. Laboratory-based toxicity tests were conducted to assess the tolerance of selected macroinvertebrates to elevated salt concentrations. Since the Kruger National Park is the focus of river research in South Africa, and the Sabie River is the least mineralized river in the park, 96-h acute toxicity tests were conducted using Sabie River water and an ephemeropteran mayfly Tricorythus sp. found in the river. Experiments were conducted in flowing water systems known as raceways. The tolerance of the mayfly to two sodium salts, sodium chloride and sodium sulphate, was assessed at a range of selected conductivity levels/concentrations. The results indicated that mortality cannot be linked only to conductivity or total dissolved solid (TDS) concentrations, but also to the nature of the salt. Sodium sulphate was considerably more toxic to Tricorythus sp. than sodium chloride. Causes of mortality and implications for the development of water quality guidelines for the natural aquatic environment are discussed. Received: 1 April 1996/Revised: 21 July 1996     

The study of temporal and spatial trends of water qulity of river Kshipra using water quality index

Water quality index (WQI) plays an important role in interpreting the information on water quality trends of a water body. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the spatial and temporal water quality trends of one of the pristine river Kshipra (Madhya Pradesh) using water quality index. The importance of existing sampling sites has also been discussed.     

天津市主要河流水质调查与评价

利用综合评价法对天津市的8条主要河流：海河、北运河、潮白新河、北京排污河、永定新河、蓟运河、子牙新河、独流减河2007年的水质监测数据进行了评价。结果表明：除Cr污染较轻外,大部分指标超过地表水环境质量标准V类水质标准,其中几种污染物严重超标,表明天津市主要河流污染严重;从综合污染指数和污染分担率来看,各河流重金属污染指数和分担率均较高,且高于富营养化指数和分担率,表明天津市河流主要受工业污染。     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in River Water of Hanoi, Vietnam Using Multivariate Analyses

Concentrations of heavy metals in water of the Nhue River (a suburban/rural river) and one of its tributaries, the To Lich River (an urban river), in Hanoi, Vietnam had been monitored, and spatial and seasonal variations in their composition were evaluated by means of principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Heavy metal concentrations in water of the two rivers were generally lower than the surface water quality standard in Vietnam, except for manganese in several sites, although they were higher than the median values in freshwater of the world by 0.42–43 times in Nhue and 0.13–32 times in To Lich. The two multivariate analyses represented that the composition of heavy metals in river water of To Lich was distinctly different from that of Nhue. It was also suggested that metal concentrations and their composition in Nhue river water would be affected by inflowing water of To Lich and wastewater discharged from the up- and middle-stream basin, and that they gradually recovered along the direction of water flow in the downstream area in rainy season.     

Heavy Metals in Aquatic Macrophytes from Two Small Rivers Polluted by Urban,Agricultural and Textile Industry Sewages SW Poland

This article presents the results from a study of the comparison of 2 lowland rivers: the Olobok and the Pilawa in southwest Poland polluted by urban, agricultural, and textile industry sewages. pH and concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, and sulfate were measured in water samples and concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, and Zn were measured in stream bottom sediments and in the aquatic macrophytes Elodea canadensis, Callitriche verna, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton natans, and Ceratophyllum demersum from the river Olobok and Elodea canadensis, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton crispus, and Veronica beccabunga from the river Pilawa. The matrix of concentrations of 16 elements in 27 plant samples of 7 species from 15 sampling sites of 2 rivers and concentrations of 15 elements and pH in water samples and 16 elements and pH in bottom sediment samples of these sites was submitted to numerical classification, which revealed that sampling sites from the rivers were differentiated by the value of factor 1 of principal component analysis (PCA), which was related to the pH of water, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, and Ni in water and Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ni, P, and S in bottom sediments. More polluted parts of both rivers were differentiated from less polluted parts by the value of factor 2 of PCA, which was related to Pb, Zn, and sulfates in water and Ca and Zn in bottom sediments. Macrophytes from the Olobok and Pilawa rivers were differentiated by the value of factor 1, which was related to Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, N, Na, Pb, and S. Groups of macrophytes of more and less polluted parts of both rivers differed by the value of factor 2, which was related to P, K, and Mn. Downstream of the sewage outputs in both rivers, a significantly increased level of pollution occurs with elements correlated with factor 1: Among others were Cu and Cr, typical for the textile industry along the river Pilawa, and among others were Mn and Ni, typical for the urban and agricultural activities in the river Olobok.     

Suitability Assessment of Surface Water Quality with Reference to Drinking,Irrigation and Fish Culture: A Human Health Risk Perspective

A multi-purpose Water Quality Index (WQI) was developed to assess the suitability of surface water for drinking, fish-culture, as well as irrigation in Durgapur industrial city, India. WQI was calculated for 48 sampling locations, where 2.08%, 4.17% and 22.91% of the sampling locations have excellent water quality (WQI: 0–25) and 20.83%, 33.33% and 34.35% have good quality (WQI: 25–50), which represents its suitability for drinking, irrigation, and fish-culture respectively. Further, health risk was evaluated by Hazard Index (HI), which reflected that the population were prone to risk on oral ingestion [HI (female): 1.52; HI (male): 1.29], while safe for dermal contact (HI?<?1). Potent toxic pollutants like Co, F, Mn, NO₃ were identified to cause health hazards. The pollutants were attributed to rock-weathering, industries, agriculture and municipal sources, was investigated by factor analysis. This novel assessment technique with integration of geographical information system affirmed its effectiveness and easiness to evaluate water quality for multiple uses in any area.     

沙颍河水邻苯二甲酸酯污染对儿童甲状腺功能及智力的影响

目的探索淮河流域沙颍河水邻苯二甲酸酯类物质(PAEs)污染现状及其对儿童智力发育和甲状腺相关激素的影响。方法在沙颍河出河南省的S县段内,分别距河床2km以内和20km以外,各选取1个村庄作为污染区和对照区,分别采集河水和居民生活饮用水。高效液相色谱法检测河水和饮用水水中4种PAEs(DEP、DBP、DMP、DEHP)水平;整群抽取两区8～13岁在校学生作为观察对象进行问卷调查;采用联合型瑞文测验方法对两区学生进行智力测验,化学发光法测定促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)和游离四碘甲腺原氨酸(FT4)含量。结果沙颍河S段各断面DEP、DBP水平均超过国家地表水环境质量标准;同对照区相比,污染区饮用水中DEP、DBP均明显高于对照区,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。污染区儿童血清中FT4明显高于对照区儿童(P<0.05)。污染区儿童智力低于对照区儿童(P<0.05)。结论污染区儿童体内甲状腺相关激素及智力发育受到一定影响,是否与水质PAEs污染有关,尚需进一步调查。     

Effects of Mining Activities on Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water,Sediment, and Macroinvertebrates in Different Reaches of the Pilcomayo River,South America

From 1997 until 1999 the extent and the ecological effects of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium pollution were studied in different reaches of the South American Pilcomayo River. A comparison of metal concentrations in water, sediment, and chironomid larvae, as well as the diversity of macroinvertebrate species, was made between sites near the origin of the Pilcomayo River, with hardly any mining activities, sites in the Potosí region, with intensive mining, and sites located 500 km or further downstream of Potosí, in the Chaco plain. Samples were also collected in an unpolluted river (Cachi Mayu River) and in the Tarapaya River, which is strongly contaminated by mine tailings (1000 tons a day). The upper parts of the Pilcomayo River are strongly affected by the release of mine tailings from the Potosí mines where mean concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in water, filtered water, sediment, and chironomid larvae were up to a thousand times higher than the local background levels. The diversity of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was strongly reduced in the contaminated parts; 97% of the benthic macroinvertebrates consisted of chironomid larvae. The degree of contamination in the lower reaches of the river, however, was fairly low because of sedimentation processes and the strong dilution of mine tailings with enormous amounts of clean sediment from erosion processes. Analysis of sediment cores from the Ibibobo floodplain, however, reveal an increase of the heavy metal concentrations in the lower reaches since the introduction of the contaminating flotation process in the mine industry in 1985. Received: 7 March 2002/Accepted: 19 August 2002     

Interacting Effects of Toxicants and Organic Matter on the Midge Chironomus riparius in Polluted River Water

Toxicants and organic matter in river water have contrasting impacts on macrofauna. Through manipulations of both factors, their interactive effects on organisms were evaluated. This way, an attempt was made to clarify the presence or absence of pollution-“tolerant” and -“sensitive” species in rivers affected by mixed sources of pollution. Under controlled conditions, larval growth of the “tolerant” midge Chironomus riparius was measured in different types of river water containing varying levels of particles (obtained by selective filtration) and toxicants (either complex mixtures or metals). Exposure of first-instar larvae to water from the polluted rivers Meuse and Dommel revealed that growth was less inhibited by toxicant levels in river water than expected based on laboratory toxicity tests. Factors present in polluted river water stimulated growth of midges to such an extent that inhibiting effects of high toxicant concentrations were neutralized, and at low toxicant levels, were overcompensated for. It was found that particulate matter has great potential to reduce inhibiting effects of toxicants on C. riparius, not (only) by reducing the bioavailability of toxicants, but by serving as a supplementary, superior food source. The success of the “pollution-tolerant” midge was not explained by tolerance of this species to toxicants, but by its ability to take advantage of coinciding organic enrichment. It is hypothesized that the extent to which beneficial effects of organic compounds on organisms occur is species specific.     

Relationships between benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and geospatial habitat, in-stream water chemistry, and surfactants in the effluent-dominated Trinity River, Texas, USA

Over the past 20 years, benthic macroinvertebrate community structure studies have been conducted on the upper Trinity River, Texas, USA, which is dominated by municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and industrial effluents. The Trinity River is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, and is the most highly populated and industrialized watershed in Texas. As such, the Trinity River represents a near-worst-case scenario to examine the environmental effects of domestic-municipal and industrial effluents on aquatic life. A 1987 to 1988 study concluded that many stretches of the river supported a diverse benthic community structure; however, a decline in taxa richness occurred immediately downstream of WWTPs. A 2005 study designed to parallel the 1987 to 1988 efforts evaluated how changes in water quality, habitat, and increased urbanization impacted benthic community structure. Physicochemical measurements, habitat quality, geospatial variables, and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 10 sites. Surfactants were measured and toxic units (TUs) were calculated for surface water and pore water as indicators of domestic/household use of cleaning products. Total TUs indicated a low potential for biological impacts. Toxic unit distribution was not dependent on WWTP location and did not correlate with any benthic variable. Eight environmental parameters were determined to be useful for predicting changes in benthic macroinvertebrate community structure: surfactant surface water TUs (SWTU), in-stream habitat cover, and surface water total organic carbon were the top three parameters. Abundance, taxa richness, and taxa similarity in 2005 had increased since the earlier study throughout the immediate vicinity of the metropolitan area.     

Microbiological,coliphages and physico-chemical assessments of the Umgeni River,South Africa

The water quality of Umgeni River in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) was investigated from April 2011 to January 2012. Indicator bacterial populations, physico-chemical properties, heavy metal contaminants and the presence of coliphages were determined according to standard protocols. The results showed that all sampling points failed to comply with the set guidelines for turbidity, total coliform, faecal coliform and total heterotrophic counts. Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Vibrio cholerae were also detected in all the water samples. The somatic coliphages and F-RNA coliphages were detected more frequently in the lower reaches of the river during summer. Temperature, electrical conductivity and pH were found to have positive relationships with the microbial communities especially in the lower catchment area during spring and summer indicating the impacts of various anthropogenic activities in the surrounding areas.     

Interacting effects of toxicants and organic matter on the midge Chironomus riparius in polluted river water

Toxicants and organic matter in river water have contrasting impacts on macrofauna. Through manipulations of both factors, their interactive effects on organisms were evaluated. This way, an attempt was made to clarify the presence or absence of pollution-"tolerant" and -"sensitive" species in rivers affected by mixed sources of pollution. Under controlled conditions, larval growth of the "tolerant" midge Chironomus riparius was measured in different types of river water containing varying levels of particles (obtained by selective filtration) and toxicants (either complex mixtures or metals). Exposure of first-instar larvae to water from the polluted rivers Meuse and Dommel revealed that growth was less inhibited by toxicant levels in river water than expected based on laboratory toxicity tests. Factors present in polluted river water stimulated growth of midges to such an extent that inhibiting effects of high toxicant concentrations were neutralized, and at low toxicant levels, were overcompensated for. It was found that particulate matter has great potential to reduce inhibiting effects of toxicants on C. riparius, not (only) by reducing the bioavailability of toxicants, but by serving as a supplementary, superior food source. The success of the "pollution-tolerant" midge was not explained by tolerance of this species to toxicants, but by its ability to take advantage of coinciding organic enrichment. It is hypothesized that the extent to which beneficial effects of organic compounds on organisms occur is species specific.