Abstract
A comprehensive risk assessment tool may have advantages for investigating complex water quality data and for a better understanding of the ecological status of the studied systems including aquatic ecosystems. In this paper, the impact of agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources on the quality of the Kor River in Fars Province, Iran are investigated. The study developed a procedure consists of pollution index (Pi), water quality index (WQI), and data grouping as a useful simple tool to assist water quality management. The pollution indicators used in the development of Pi and WQI are 15 physical, chemical, and biological variables in the river water. According to the world guideline standards, an appropriate weight is assigned to each indicator, scores of Pi are determined, a composite WQI is formulated, and a water quality grouping score is proposed. Pollution risk levels along the river are highlighted using the grouping score and dominant pollution sources are determined. Results revealed that pollution sources influence the water quality indicator content so that some sites are under the high influence of sewage disposal and industrial effluents and some others under the influence of agricultural runoff. Results also provide insight into the development of better pollution control strategies for the Kor River and other aquatic ecosystems affected by industrial, agricultural, and domestic pollution sources.
Published Version
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