Optical Spectral Tools for Diagnosing Water Media Quality: A Case Study on the Angara/Yenisey River System in the Siberian Region

Costas A Varotsos,Vladimir F Krapivin,Yong Xue,Ferdenant A Mkrtchyan

doi:10.3390/land10040342

Abstract

This paper presents the results of spectral optical measurements of hydrochemical characteristics in the Angara/Yenisei river system (AYRS) extending from Lake Baikal to the estuary of the Yenisei River. For the first time, such large-scale observations were made as part of a joint American-Russian expedition in July and August of 1995, when concentrations of radionuclides, heavy metals, and oil hydrocarbons were assessed. The results of this study were obtained as part of the Russian hydrochemical expedition in July and August, 2019. For in situ measurements and sampling at 14 sampling sites, three optical spectral instruments and appropriate software were used, including big data processing algorithms and an AYRS simulation model. The results show that the water quality in AYRS has improved slightly due to the reasonably reduced anthropogenic industrial impact. Chemical concentrations in water have been found to vary along the Angara River depending on the location of the dams. The results of in situ measurements and modeling evaluations are given. To overcome the uncertainties in the data caused by the large monitoring area, it is recommended to use the combined AYRS simulation model and the universal 8-channel spectrophotometer installed on a fixed platform for continuous monitoring.

Highlights

The Angara River is a major tributary of the Yenisei River
The combined process of water quality monitoring, algorithms, and AYRS Hydrologic Simulation Model (AYRSSM) allow the results to characterize the spatial distribution of contaminants along the Angara River and the Yenisei River after its intersection with Angara starting from the Strelka Village
This paper demonstrates the possibility of spectral optical monitoring in the evaluation of water quality for the Angara/Yenisei River system taking into account hydrological, hydrochemical, and anthropogenic processes

Summary

Introduction

The Angara River is a major tributary of the Yenisei River. It flows rapidly north ofLake Baikal for about two-thirds of its 1779 km, before turning west at its confluence with the Yenisei River, which flows north to the Kara Sea, draining an area of about 2.58 million km along a 4102 km journey. The Angara River is a major tributary of the Yenisei River. Lake Baikal for about two-thirds of its 1779 km, before turning west at its confluence with the Yenisei River, which flows north to the Kara Sea, draining an area of about 2.58 million km along a 4102 km journey. The share of the Angara-Yenisei river system (AYRS) in the total inflow of rivers into the Kara Sea varies from 22.1% to 26.4%, which requires an assessment of the role of the Angara-Yenisei. As the main tributary of the Yenisei River, the Angara River flowing into an industrial area has a negative cumulative effect on water quality and contributes to the negative changes of the Angara/Yenisei hydrological and hydrochemical system.

Methods

Results

Conclusion