Abstract
Most anthropogenic pollution can be controlled, such as domestic and industrial releases, loads from agriculture, etc. However, some of them, which are associated to illegal discharges, industrial accidents, etc., are more difficult to forecast. This study was performed on the Tereos sugar industry accident that occurred during the night of 9 April 2020, when 88,000 cubic meters of effluents loaded with organic matter discharged in the Scheldt River (a 350 km long transnational river that flows through Northern France and Western Belgium). The accident had dramatic consequences on the receiving watercourse, over 120 km downstream. Fish mortalities have been observed and severe deoxygenation, reaching zero concentration in dissolved oxygen, have impacted river chemical quality. The objective was to understand and describe the dynamics of the chemical pollution and its propagation along the transboundary hydrographic network of the Scheldt. A method based on the processes of organic matter degradation in the river ecosystem was enhanced. It is demonstrated that the accident is doubtless the cause of the water column deoxygenation. This paper shows how the water quality modelling can help to understand and therefore to prevent the consequences of accidental pollution on a river network.
Highlights
In 2018, the European Union was the third largest producer of sugar in the world, with production of 19.5 million tons, or around 10.2% of world production
This study was performed on the Tereos sugar industry accident that occurred during the night of 9 April 2020, when 88,000 cubic meters of effluents loaded with organic matter discharged in the Scheldt River (a 350 km long transnational river that flows through Northern France and Western Belgium)
This paper shows how the water quality modelling can help to understand and to prevent the consequences of accidental pollution on a river network
Summary
In 2018, the European Union was the third largest producer of sugar in the world, with production of 19.5 million tons, or around 10.2% of world production. Most of the sugar comes from sugar beets, and most of it comes from Northern Europe. The sector is concentrated in seven companies, mostly cooperatives, that produce almost 85% of European sugar. 15 groups process 98% of the sugar in the EU at 106 industrial sites. Settling ponds are generally used by beet sugar industry to depollute their wastewater between January and August. This long-term method of settling is a solution to the problem of wastewater in this industrial sector, once provided sufficient settling surfaces are available [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
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