Abstract
The European Water Framework (WFD) establishes a framework for the protection and the monitoring condition of all natural superficial waters of the member States. The Italian Legislative Decree n. 156/2006 implements the WFD establishing a monitoring system which foresees a detailed detection of several physical, chemical and microbiological parameters in order to assess the qualitative status of the water body. This study reports the freshwater quality in the Reno river basin (North Italy) from 2003 to 2011. The Reno superficial water was classified as “good” in the mountain stations and at the closed basin while in all the other stations of the Po plain the quality was from “mediocre” to “poor”. The decrease of water quality was due to the flowing of artificial canals that collect discharges the wastewater of sewage treatment plants, drainage and run-off from the urban, industrial and agricultural lands. In spring-summer 2011, characterized by severe drought, a study on the distribution of pollutants and nutrients in water of the Renoriver and its tributaries highlight the impact of highway (Via Emilia) that closes the mountain basin of water courses. Along this street cities and industrial and craft have developed, increasing discharges of pollutants and nutrients in rivers. An increase of metals and nutrients was found from upstream to downstream, furthermore the concentration of the microbiological faecal indicators were two to three times higher than those determined in the water upstream of urban/industrial settlements. The thresholds of Italian Law for Hg and Pb were exceeding in all most rivers. The sediments analysis was also performed because they can be considered a sink and/or source for pollutants. In many monitoring sites the metals concentrations was higher than the thresholds of Italia Low (data not shown), but the availability of these metals was tested with mixtures of different strength extracting (EDTA, DTPA and water). The coefficient of partition solid/water (Kd) was calculated to evaluate the metals affinity to be in the aqueous phase and it increase as following Cr > Mn > Ni > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd.
Highlights
The chemical, physical and biological pollution of surface water is a topic of great attention all over the world
The European community, in the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/electrical conductivity (EC) (WFD) proposes an analytic method based on the detection of several physical, chemical and biological parameters in order to be summarized in a quality index
The mountains of Corno alle Scale (1945 m a.s.l.) and Monte Orsigna (1555 m a.s.l.) catch the watershed of the Reno river basin, with elevations varying from 1500 to 500 m a.s.l., and the territory is formed by a wide range of major and minor valleys arranged in a south-western and north-eastern direction
Summary
The chemical, physical and biological pollution of surface water is a topic of great attention all over the world. Studies on water contamination have developed over the last 20 years with a view to monitoring and preventing water pollution. At international level there are different guideline systems for monitoring and assessing the quality of aquatic ecosystems. The European community, in the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) proposes an analytic method based on the detection of several physical, chemical and biological parameters in order to be summarized in a quality index. The European objective is to obtain a “good” quality status for all the natural superficial waters within the Member States by 2015. Chemical analysis of freshwater can quantify nutrients and pollutants in aquatic environments, but provides no direct indication of the potential toxic effects of these metals on aquatic biota. The excess nutrients may lead to various problems including an increase of algal bloom, loss of JWARP
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
