Initial Characterization and Water Quality Assessment of Stream Landscapes in Northern Mongolia

Jürgen Hofmann,Sonja Heldt,Ralf Ibisch,Daniel Karthe,Saulyegul Avlyush,Andrew Kaus,Michael Schäffer

doi:10.3390/w7073166

Abstract

A comprehensive monitoring project (2006–2013) provided data on hydrology, hydromorphology, climatology, water physico-chemistry, sedimentology, macroinvertebrate community and fish diversity in the Kharaa River basin in northern Mongolia, thus enabling, for the first time, a detailed characterization of the stream landscapes. Surface waters were categorized into separate “water bodies” according to their identifiable abiotic and biocoenotic features, subsequently creating the smallest management sub-units within the river basin. Following the approach of the European Water Framework Directive (EC-WFD), in order to obtain a good ecological status (GES), four clearly identifiable water bodies in the Kharaa River main channel and seven water bodies consisting of the basin’s tributaries were delineated. The type-specific undisturbed reference state of various aquatic ecosystems was identified in the assessment and used to set standards for restoration goals. With regards to water quality and quantity, the upper reaches of the Kharaa River basin in the Khentii Mountains were classified as having a “good” ecological and chemical status. Compared with these natural reference conditions in the upper reaches, the initial risk assessment identified several “hot spot” regions with impacted water bodies in the middle and lower basin. Subsequently, the affected water bodies are at risk of not obtaining a level of good ecological and/or chemical status for surface waters. Finally, a matrix of cause-response relationships and stressor complexes has been developed and is presented here. The applicability of management approaches is discussed to better foster the development of a sustainable river basin management plan. The application of natural references states offers a sound scientific base to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities across the Kharaa River basin.

Highlights

Stream landscape conditions in northern Mongolia range from close to pristine in their upper catchments, to rivers that are substantially affected by anthropogenic factors in their middle and lower reaches
Small siliceous highland rivers dominated by fine substrate elevation 900 to 1100 m a.s.l
The unknown reference conditions for this stream type (Mid-sized and large lowland rivers dominated by sand and loam) impeded the ecological assessment which was based on the creation of a reference biocoenosis with expert knowledge

Summary

Introduction

Stream landscape conditions in northern Mongolia range from close to pristine in their upper catchments, to rivers that are substantially affected by anthropogenic factors in their middle and lower reaches. These impacts have been attributed to the region’s rapid economic development, which has been largely driven by the exploitation of mineral resources (e.g., gold), population growth, urbanization and the expansion of agricultural and grazing activities. Even in the sparsely populated, remote stream landscapes of Mongolia, it is likely that anthropogenic influences will considerably alter these nearly pristine regions in the near future. Located in the transitional zone between the great Siberian taiga and the Central Asian desert, the climate is characterized by long, dry winters and short summers

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