Abstract
Spatio-temporal variations in the water quality of the Chao Phraya River, Thailand, were examined, on average-yearly basis, between 1999 and 2008, from 32 surface water stations from the river origin to the delta. Five water quality parameters viz., DO, BOD, TCB, FCB, NH3-N and water temperature were used in the analysis. Analysis was performed by using the Self Organizing Maps. Four distinct spatially approached clusters were classified, according to the similarity of water quality parameters, while temporal variations of most of the surface water stations were not obviously observed. The worst water quality condition was at the stations near the river delta and highly related to anthropogenic stresses. Result from the correspondence analysis showed that, except for the cluster of the worst water quality, the stations of the remaining three clusters were overlapped. There was no statistical difference in water temperature among clusters but the expected effects from climate change should be a precautionary focus since the will eventually affect the water quality.
Highlights
The livelihoods of riparian people depend to some extent on the goods and services of water resources and water quality is among the key factors affecting the environmental health of the river system [1]
Due to the importance of the river and the significant number of stressors along it, this paper aims to investigate the water quality as well as water temperature along the Chao Phraya River in terms of spatio-temporal approach by using multivariate techniques
The observations were classified on the Self Organizing Maps (SOM)-map according to similarity of water quality parameters presented in each observation and similar observations were mapped close together and the dissimilar were mapped apart
Summary
The livelihoods of riparian people depend to some extent on the goods and services of water resources and water quality is among the key factors affecting the environmental health of the river system [1]. Anthropogenic stresses as well as changes in environment during recent decades are the key issues that severely degrade the water quality in river systems elsewhere [2,3]. Establishment of a monitoring program on water quality is, highlighted for the purpose of determining the state of pollution in any particular site in the rivers [1,2,4]. The general trends of either decreasing or increasing water quality at any monitored site indicate which areas are stepped to a good, moderate or vulnerable condition [2, 3,5]. The condition of water quality in the river is related to hydrological properties [4,6]. Increases in frequency and intensity of rainfall during the rainy season will produce more turbid conditions, drought during the dry season would allow saline water to intrude into the river [7]
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