Abstract
The evaluation of sediment quality is a relevant topic that involves the analysis of various parameters that are altered by natural or anthropogenic causes. Therefore, the Grey Clustering method provides an alternative to evaluate sediment quality. In the present study, the sediment quality of the Chontayacu river watershed was evaluated considering the results of the monitoring of twenty-three points carried out in the early evaluations by the Environmental Impact Evaluation Agency (OEFA by its Spanish acronym). These twenty-three points were separated into three blocks considering the monitoring points upstream of the Uchiza town center and the Chontayacu Alto and Chontayacu Bajo hydroelectric plants. Seven parameters were analyzed: As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn, which were compared with Canadian sediment quality standards for the protection of aquatic life. The results of the assessment showed that all points in the Chontayacu River were classified as having unlikely adverse biological effects from heavy metals. However, a quality ranking was established between the points of each block where it was found that points P3, P4 and P17 correspond to the lowest values for the high CH, low CH and CP Uchiza blocks respectively. Finally, the results obtained will provide integrated information for decision making by the competent authorities in Peru, as well as indicate the level of sediment contamination that should be taken into account for the proposal of hydroelectric projects that influence sediment transport and entrainment.
Highlights
The Chontayacu River is a tributary of the left bank of the Huallaga River, belonging to one of the main basins of Peru due to its great water resource potential [1]
The specific objective of this study is to classify 23 points, divided into 3 major blocks of the Chontayacu River basin, based on Canadian Sediment quality levels for the protection of aquatic life [7], using the Grey Claustering method [15] based on triangular center-point whitening weighting functions (CTWF)
We describe the Grey Clustering method [15] based on triangular center-point whitening weighting functions (CTWF), which has been used to evaluate sediment quality in the Chontayacu River, a tributary of the left bank of the Huallaga River [1], which is described as follows: first identify the monitoring points "m", define the sediment quality parameters "p" and define the Grey Classes "g", according to the sediment quality monitoring values. xijj = (i = 1,2, . . . , m; j = 1,2, . . . , p)
Summary
The Chontayacu River is a tributary of the left bank of the Huallaga River, belonging to one of the main basins of Peru due to its great water resource potential [1]. This river has potentially exploitable areas for hydroelectric purposes because there are no demands for water use, knowing that the few economic activities are limited to agriculture, livestock and forestry, the waters flow naturally without being exploited [2]. The sediment quality evaluation will be carried out from the upper part of the Santa Rosa de Oso hamlet to the jurisdiction of the Crisnejas hamlet (Blanco river), both belonging to the Chontayacu river basin
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
