A GIS Methodology for the Real-Time Assessment of Micro-Pollutant Concentration in River: Application to the Lake Biwa Basin in Japan

Abstract

For integrated water management in the future, the real-time assessment of toxic micro-pollutant concentrations in rivers is required, since these pollutants cause various irreversible and adverse effects in the environment. In this research, a GIS (Geographical Information System) methodology using EMC (Event Mean Concentration) was established for estimating the SS (Suspended Solids) concentration that strongly sorbs organic micro-pollutants. The GIS was applied to the Lake Biwa basin in Japan. On non-point sources, it was found that in some rivers the upstream SS concentrations could become greater than those in downstream, which suggested that the environmental improvement measures in downstream waters are not always appropriate. For effective use of this GIS methodology, the improvement of the GIS model is necessary and up-to-date data should be kept in constant readiness, which leads to an ideal integrated water quantity and quality management in the future.