Agricultural Source Pollution Research Articles

Optimized Selection of Water Resource Allocation Schemes Based on Improved Connection Entropy in Beijing's Southern Plain.

Increased urbanization has caused problems such as increasing water consumption and the continuous deterioration of the groundwater environment. It is necessary to consider the groundwater quality in the water resource optimization system and increase the rate of reclaimed water development to reduce the amount of groundwater exploitation and achieve sustainable development of water resources. This study used the Daxing District, a region of Beijing’s southern plain, as an example to evaluate water quality by analyzing water quality data of surface and groundwater from 2012 to 2016 and actual water-use schemes from 2006 to 2016. Three groundwater extraction modes were set up based on NO3–N concentrations, water resources were optimized under three extraction modes, and water resource optimization schemes were determined based on the improved connection entropy. The results show that (1) the surface water quality was poor, and the proportion of V4 type water in the indexes of NH3–N and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was the largest. The surface water can only be used for agricultural irrigation. The pollution sources contributing most to NH3–N and COD were domestic and agricultural pollution sources. (2) The groundwater quality was good. The NO3–N index was primarily type I–III water, accounting for 95.20% of the total samples. Severe NH3–N pollution areas were mainly in the northern region, and most regional groundwater can be used for various purposes. (3) Taking 2016 as an example, three groundwater exploitation modes were set to optimize water resource allocation, and the results showed that the rate of groundwater development and NO3–N pollution decreased significantly after optimization. (4) Connection entropy is an evaluation method that combines connection numbers and entropy, including identify, difference, and opposition entropy. As connection entropy being a kind of complete entropy, which can reflect the difference of the system in different states, based on the improved connection entropy, the connection entropies of optimal water resource allocation and actual water-use schemes were calculated. The connection entropy of groundwater exploitation mode 3 was less than that of groundwater exploitation modes 1 and 2 and actual water-use schemes from 2006 to 2016. Therefore, exploitation mode 3’s water resource optimization scheme was recommended. In the paper, satisfactory results have been obtained. As a kind of complete entropy, connection entropy has great research value in dealing with complex hydrological problems. This study’s research methods and outcomes can provide methodological and theoretical lessons for water management in freshwater-deficient areas.

Spatial-temporal characteristics and driving factors of the chemical fertilizer supply/demand correlation network in China.

The rational allocation of chemical fertilizer resources is of strategic importance in mitigating agricultural source pollution and achieving agricultural green development. The spatiotemporal correlation of chemical fertilizer supply/demand and its determinants remains unclear. In this study, based on the inter-provincial chemical fertilizer supply/demand panel data of China from 1994 to 2018, an improved gravity model was employed to determine provincial chemical fertilizer supply/demand correlations. Finally, the chemical fertilizer supply/demand evolution and its driving factors were analyzed using social network analysis and a quadratic assignment procedure. The results indicated that (1) the intensity of the spatial relationship of inter-provincial chemical fertilizer supply/demand increased in a fluctuating fashion, but there was still room for improvement. The network structure presented good stability, and the spillover effect exhibited multiple superposition characteristics; (2) the spatial correlation network of inter-provincial chemical fertilizer supply/demand presented a "core-periphery" distribution pattern of the supply, demand, and balance areas. The division of blocks in the network changed in time and space, and some provinces changed their roles and positions in the network during development; (3) chemical fertilizer-related policies (e.g., Exemption Agricultural Tax, Notice on the resumption of value added tax policy on fertilizers, and Rural Revitalization Strategy) have played a positive role in the formation and development of the interprovincial spatial correlation network of chemical fertilizer supply/demand in China; (4) natural conditions and socioeconomic factors interact to promote the formation of the spatial correlation network of chemical fertilizer supply/demand. The differences in the scale of the rural labor force, the scale of agricultural mechanization, the agricultural planting structure, the populations, and urbanization levels all had a significant impact on it. The identification of the spatial characteristics of chemical fertilizer supply/demand correlation networks offers a new perspective on taking various measures to realize the cross-regional coordination of chemical fertilizer resources, strengthen the protection and utilization of agricultural resources, and promote green agricultural development.

Ecological risk assessment and sources identification of heavy metals in surface sediments of a river–reservoir system

Heavy metal contamination of river water and sediments is a global issue affecting ecological health. To reveal heavy metals' ecological risks and biological toxicity in the middle and lower Han River (MLHR), sediment samples collected in this area were analyzed based on a modified ecological risk assessment method (NIRI) and a biological toxicity assessment method. Also, Spearman correlation analysis and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) methods were applied to identify the potential sources of heavy metals. The results indicated that the heavy metal content significantly exceeded the background concentrations in Hubei Province. The average potential risk of heavy metals at sampling sites was: Cd > Hg > As > Pb > Cu > Zn. Consequently, high biological toxicity occurred along the MLHR due to the heavy metal enrichment. River damming and water diversion significantly enhanced the hydrologic regime variations and ecological risk in the MLHR. Moreover, two possible pollution sources of the MLHR were identified: one is a combined source of traffic pollution, agricultural pollution, and partial industrial pollution consisting of five heavy metals, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, and As, the other is an industrial pollution source dominated by Cd and As. This study provides insights into sediment heavy metal pollution management and ecological risk control in the MLHR and similar rivers worldwide.

Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Understanding drivers of water quality in local watersheds is the first step for implementing targeted restoration practices. Nutrient inventories can inform water quality management decisions by identifying shifts in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances over space and time while also keeping track of the likely urban and agricultural point and nonpoint sources of pollution. The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Chesapeake Assessment Scenario Tool (CAST) provides N and P balance data for counties throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and these data were leveraged to create a detailed nutrient inventory for all the counties in the watershed from 1985–2019. This study focuses on three primary watershed nutrient balance components—agricultural surplus, atmospheric deposition, and point source loads—which are thought to be the leading anthropogenic drivers of nutrient loading trends across the watershed. All inputs, outputs, and derived metrics (n=53) like agricultural surplus and nutrient use efficiency, were subjected to short- and long-term trend analyses to discern how sources of pollution to surface water have changed over time. Across the watershed from 1985–2019, downward trends in atmospheric deposition were ubiquitous. Though there are varying effects, long-term declines in agricultural surplus were observed, likely because nutrients are being managed more efficiently. Multiple counties’ point source loads declined, primarily associated with upgrades at major cities that discharge treated wastewater directly to tidal waters. Despite all of these positive developments, recent increases in agricultural surpluses from 2009–2019 highlight that water quality gains may soon be reversed in many agricultural areas of the basin. Besides tracking progress and jurisdictional influence on pollution sources, the nutrient inventory can be used for retrospective water quality analysis to highlight drivers of past improvement/degradation of water quality trends and for decision makers to develop and track their near- and long-term watershed restoration strategies.

Analysis and identification of pollution sources of comprehensive river water quality: Evidence from two river basins in China

• Industry is still the major source of China’s ambient water pollution. • Impact of pollution sources on water quality vary from basin to basin significantly. • Cultivation’s impact on water quality is seasonal. • Cultivation and livestock farming have a cumulative effect on water quality. The identification of the main sources and the impact of the current comprehensive water quality is important in improving the precision and pertinence of water quality management, which will have a significant bearing on the quality of the water environment and the ecological system. This paper focuses on the Yangtze River and Yellow River Basins, employs panel data from 2004–2019 from prefecture-level cities and water quality monitoring sections along the Yangtze and Yellow River main streams, and conducts an empirical study on the effects of pollution sources from cultivation, livestock farming, aquaculture, industry, and domestic activities on the overall water quality. It is found that: (1) Increased pollution from agriculture (cultivation, livestock farming and aquaculture), industry and domestic pollution all contribute to the deterioration of water quality. Industry is still the major source of China’s ambient water pollution. It is then followed by domestic source of pollution and agricultural source of pollution, with the latter having the least impact on water quality. (2) Impact of pollution sources on water quality vary from basin to basin significantly.The main sources of water pollution in the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins are industry and domestic life respectively. Cultivation and aquaculture are the main agricultural sources of water pollution in the two basins respectively. (3) Impact of cultivation pollution sources on water quality is subject to seasonal variations. It means that pollutants from cultivation enter the rivers through the carrying effect of precipitation, and this effect is more often reflected in the busy season. (4) In the long term, the negative impact of cultivation and livestock farming on water quality pollution form a cumulative effect. It grows as the number of lag periods increases. Therefore, in the subsequent environmental pollution control processes, priority should be given to industrial and urban pollution control with more targeted regional pollution management. It is also important to strengthen inter-basin and inter-regional synergistic control, taking top-level design of environmental policies and other conditions of the basin areas into full account to reduce the undesired environmental consequences caused by production.

Kinetics of microplastic generation from different types of mulch films in agricultural soil

Upon environmental weathering, plastic materials form smaller sized microplastics, of which the contamination in agricultural fields is of significant importance and increasing social concern. Plastic mulch films are considered a major source of agricultural soil microplastic pollution. However, the mechanism and kinetics of microplastic formation from plastic mulch films were rarely understood. In this study, the rate of microplastic generation from typical mulch films, such as oxodegradable, biodegradable, and conventional non-degradable (polyethylene, PE) mulch films, were quantified in soil under simulated UV irradiation. Results showed that microplastic formation was more rapid from biodegradable mulch film, followed sequentially by oxodegradable mulch film, white PE mulch film, and black PE mulch film. The kinetics of microplastic generation strictly followed the Schwarzchild's law, with exponential growth at indexes between 1.6309 and 2.0502 in the microplastic generation model. At a cumulative UV irradiation of 2.1 MJ/m2, the average quantity of microplastics released from biodegradable, oxodegradable, and white and black non-degradable mulch films were 475, 266, 163, 147 particles/cm2, respectively; with particle sizes largely distributed within 0.02–0.10 mm range. Concurrent increase in crystallinity and surface erosion of the mulch films were observed upon UV irradiation, which further determined the accessibility and activity of the materials to photo-oxidation (reflected as HI indexes), therefore played a critical role on the quantity and size ranges of microplastic debris.

From Microns to Meters: Exploring Advances in Legume Microbiome Diversity for Agroecosystem Benefits

Legumes are of primary importance for agroecosystems because they provide protein-rich foods and enhance soil fertility through fixed atmospheric nitrogen. The legume-rhizobia symbiosis that makes this possible has been extensively studied, from basic research on biochemical signaling to practical applications in cropping systems. While rhizobia are the most-studied group of associated microorganisms, the functional benefit they confer to their legume hosts by fixing nitrogen is not performed in isolation. Indeed, non-rhizobia members of the rhizosphere and nodule microbiome are now understood to contribute in multiple ways to nodule formation, legume fitness, and other agroecosystem services. In this review, we summarize advances contributing to our understanding of the diversity and composition of bacterial members of the belowground legume microbiome. We also highlight applied work in legume food and forage crops that link microbial community composition with plant functional benefits. Ultimately, further research will assist in the development of multi-species microbial inoculants and cropping systems that maximize plant nutrient benefits, while reducing sources of agricultural pollution.

Promotion of CH4 hydrate generation by various surfactants in quiescent system for renewable energy application

Biogas can be used as a supplement to the consumption gap of natural gas, a propellant for low-carbon and circular economy, as well as an important component in energy security. The storage and transportation of biogas by hydrate method is widely concerned at home and abroad. The main component of biogas is methane. In this paper, two kinds of surfactants, fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO) and fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sodium sulfate (AES), were selected to study the effects of their types and concentrations on the induction time and formation rate of CH4 hydrate. The results showed that the optimum mass concentrations of AEO and AES in hydration system were 2.5% and 0.1%, respectively, and the induction time of CH4 hydrate formation was 63min and 64min, respectively. AEO is beneficial to the formation of CH4 hydrate nuclei, and its promoting mechanism is micelle theory; while AES promotion mechanism is mainly adsorption. The research results are of great significance for the development of rural clean and renewable energy, the prevention of agricultural source pollution, and the consolidation of ecological environment construction.

Effects of simazine herbicide on a plant-arthropod-lizard tritrophic community in territorial indoor microcosms: Beyond the toxicity

Agricultural source pollution has been hypothesized as one of the main reasons for reptile declines over recent decades. In addition to their direct toxicity to reptiles, agrochemicals can also enter complex interactions with environmental factors, which alter the interspecific relationships within communities. The potentially resulting cascading effects affect our understanding of the links between contaminants and the extent of declines of reptile species. In the present study, plant-arthropod-lizard tritrophic microcosms were assessed to identify the ecological effect of the widely used herbicide simazine in simulated steppe ecosystems. Three dosages of simazine (0, 0.060, and 0.006 g a.i./m2) were applied to microcosms, and the responses of organisms at three trophic levels were examined after 30-day exposure. The results showed that simazine could inhibit the growth and ecological functions of primary producers, and caused a reduction in the content of primary and secondary metabolites. The number of arthropod populations decreased in the lower simazine application but increased in the higher simazine application, compared with the control. Simazine led to slow growth and poor physical conditions in lizards. The impact of simazine on the community could be attributed to the following three aspects: (1) a direct effect of simazine, (2) the driving force of food resources, and (3) behavioral dynamics. The physical conditions of lizards and of the arthropod population in the microcosms showed different responses to standard toxicological tests, and the forces of cascading causalities were identified as the main factors beyond the direct simazine toxicity. Therefore, the propagation and cascade across multitrophic levels should be considered in future assessments to avoid distorting conclusions.

Assessment of Pollution of a Small Watercourse with Ammonium Nitrogen

The results of the study of the ecological condition of small watercourse in the areas of influence of various mainly organic, agricultural sources of pollution are presented. In terms of contamination with organic matter and compounds of biogenic elements, the watercourse belongs to the category "very dirty" and hypertrophied. Ammonium ions are shown to be a priority pollutant of the watercourse. Biotesting and laboratory modeling methods have studied their effect onDaphnia magna Sr.hydrobiont filters on the mortality of the daily young with 96 hours of cultivation. It has been established that nitrifying bacteria have a wide range of tolerance to ammonium nitrogen. The optimal concentration for their life is the concentration of NNH4+and 3.2 mg/dm3. Ammonium nitrogen is toxic toDaphnia magna Sr.freshwater rhacies at a concentration of more than 4 MPC (1.6 mg/dm3). It is noted that the system of environmental control of small rivers should be revised towards tightening, since it is the small watercourses that serve as the numerous primary contaminants of large river basins.

Driving Mechanism of Farmers’ Utilization Behaviors of Straw Resources—An Empirical Study in Jilin Province, the Main Grain Producing Region in the Northeast Part of China

In recent years, the unsustainable behaviors of straw utilization have led to waste straw being one of the sources of agricultural non-point source pollution. Studying the resource utilization of crop straw is conducive to expediate the development of ecological and green agriculture. More importantly, it has long-term significance for the recycling of agricultural waste, improving the quality of rural life, and the employment of farmers. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), taking the representative survey questionnaire of farmers in Jilin Province, China as the sample, the structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to study the main factors that drive the utilization behaviors of straw resources of farmers and to explore the driving mechanism of the farmers behaviors in Jilin Province. The results show that the behavioral attitude and subjective norms of farmers in Jilin Province not only indirectly affect their actual behaviors through behavioral willingness, but also has significant direct effects on their behaviors. The most critical factors that affect the willingness of farmers to utilize the straw resources in Jilin Province are subjective norms and moral responsibilities. The subjective norms of farmers have a direct and significant positive impact on their willingness and behaviors. Behavioral attitude and perceived behavior control have a significant positive impact on their willingness. The behavioral willingness has a significant positive impact on their actual behaviors. This study provides guidance for the utilization of straw resources policy implications.

Alternative Management Systems of Beef Cattle Manure for Reducing Nitrogen Loadings: A Case-Study Approach.

Simple SummaryLivestock manure is one of the primary sources of agricultural nonpoint source pollution and poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Sustainable management of manure via recycling is an effective means to tackle the problem. Based on field interviews in China, four alternative manure management systems were investigated: Compost-based systems, product-based systems, substrate-based systems, and biogas-based systems. For each system, the reasons of emergence, success factors, risk factors, operation mechanism, scalability, key elements, and environmental effects were discussed. Results showed that the adoption of a system is driven by various factors and market-oriented operation is the dominant operation mechanism of all the manure management systems. Compared to direct application of manure to croplands, all the manure management systems can reduce nitrogen loadings from livestock farms and lower their environmental effects. Specifically, biogas-based systems can reduce nitrogen loadings to the greatest extent, followed by product-based systems and substrate-based systems, and then by compost-based systems. Integrated management of manure with mixed recycling systems is imperative for reducing its environmental effects, which can benefit from the increasing role of third-party entities in manure recycling. Policy implications were also discussed.Livestock manure is one of the main sources of agricultural nonpoint source pollution and poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Sustainable management of manure via recycling is an effective means to tackle the problem. Based on field interviews in China, multiple case studies were employed to investigate alternative manure management systems. Four conclusions arose. First, compost-based systems, product-based systems, substrate-based systems, and biogas-based systems were identified as four main types of manure management systems, with each possessing its success factors and risk factors. The adoption of a system was driven by various factors. Second, market-oriented operation was the dominant operation mechanism of all the manure management systems. Third, compared to direct application of manure to croplands, all the four manure management systems could reduce nitrogen loadings from livestock farms and lower their environmental effects. Among the systems, biogas-based systems could reduce nitrogen loadings to the greatest extent, followed by product-based systems and substrate-based systems, and then by compost-based systems. Lastly, integrated management of manure with mixed recycling systems is imperative for reducing its environmental effects, which can benefit from the increasing role of third-party entities in manure recycling. Policy implications were also discussed.

Investigation and Water quality Analysis of Agricultural nonpoint Source pollution in Tanxia Town

Taking the small watershed in Tanxia town as an example, the classified investigation of agricultural non-point source pollution in the tributaries of Lijiang River was carried out, the sources of local agricultural non-point source pollution were analyzed, and the surface water environmental quality standard and Nemero index method were used to evaluate the water quality of the basin. The results show that the water quality of the basin is poor and the pollution exceeds the standard all the year round, and the source of agricultural non-point source pollution mainly depends on the pollution of agricultural chemical fertilizer. Improving the use of local chemical fertilizer and rational application of chemical fertilizer are the key factors to improve local agricultural non-point source pollution.

ПІДРУЧНИК «АГРОГІДРОХІМІЯ» (2021 р.) - ВНЕСОК У РЕАЛІЗАЦІЮ ПОЛОЖЕНЬ «НІТРАТНОЇ ДИРЕКТИВИ» 91/676/ЄEC В УКРАЇНІ

The article presents and analyzes the textbook “Agrohydrochemistry” (author V.K. Khilchevsky – professor of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv), published in 2021. The textbook examines the main problems associated with the growth of the chemicalization of agriculture and the protection of water resources. Due to agriculture, there is a noticeable impact on the quality of natural waters in the world, especially in regions of intensive agriculture, to which Ukraine belongs. Increased concentrations of nutrients and various types of pesticides are found in the waters of small and large rivers, groundwater. Therefore, the issues of studying the main sources of agricultural pollution of natural waters and the processes that contribute to this are relevant. Among the main sources of pollution of natural waters with wastewater, namely industrial, household and agricultural – the latter have a specific character of formation and flow into water bodies. If industrial and domestic wastewater is localized behind the formation and place of discharge into the sewer network, then the formation and supply of chemicals from agricultural land is dispersed throughout the catchment area and natural ways of entering (hydrographic network) into water bodies. The attention of the world community to the impact of agrochemicals on the quality of natural waters is evidenced by the Directive 91/676/EU adopted in the European Union of December 12, 1991 “On the protection of waters from pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources” (abbreviated as “Nitrogen Directive”), which in turn is a local manifestation of the integrating directive 2000/60/EC of October 23, 2000 “On the establishment of a framework for Community activities in the field of water policy” (abbreviated WFD – “EU Water Framework Directive”), aimed at achieving a good ecological state of natural waters in the regions river basins. Agrohydrochemistry is a direction in hydrochemistry that studies the effect of agrochemical agents on the chemical composition of natural waters using theoretical methods and the results of experimental studies in watersheds. The textbook, which consists of 9 chapters, gives an idea of the formation of the balance of chemicals in the soil, the use of various types of fertilizers and pesticides, and the possible ways of their entry into water bodies. Methods for calculating the flow of chemicals into water bodies are presented. The theoretical provisions are illustrated by the materials of our own research on the effect of agrochemicals on the chemical composition of river waters in the Dnieper basin. The textbook is designed for students of the specialty “Earth Sciences” of educational programs of the hydrological profile of higher educational institutions..

Diffusion model simulation of odor pollutants in livestock and poultry farms based on environmental monitoring of the Internet of Things

Livestock pollution is one of the main sources of agricultural pollution, which has a negative impact on the global environment. Monitoring, simulation and early warning of major pollutants emitted from livestock production is of great significance for reducing agricultural pollution. Especially, real-time comprehensive monitoring and early warning of the concentration and distribution of harmful gases could improve the harm of livestock production to people, livestock itself and the environment, and increase the safety level of livestock production. This study focused on the perception and monitoring of the discharge status of livestock farming simulation technics, mainly to carry out Internet of Things-based monitoring of the main components of livestock culture pollutants, and to use odor gas air dispersion software “ModOdor” to simulate the spread of pollutants. This study was aimed to determine the characteristics of pollutant diffusion in typical farms, which could provide decision reference to odor hygienic buffer zone and minimum shelter distance to achieve the ecological and safety objectives of livestock farming.

Agricultural Diffuse Pollution and the EU Water Framework Directive: Problems and Progress in Governance

Progress has been made on improving Europe’s water quality. Nevertheless, there is much scepticism as to whether the goals of the European Water Framework Directive will be realised by 2027. Addressing diffuse agricultural sources of pollution remains a persistent problem. The Special Issue “Water Quality and Agricultural Diffuse Pollution in Light of the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to advance the understanding of the different governance arrangements European Member States developed to address this problem. The contributions in this Special Issue focus on governance arrangements in Denmark, England, Flanders/Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Poland, The Netherlands, Norway and Scotland. The contributions address three themes. First, the contributions signal serious concerns with policy integration across policy domains. Second, it appears to be tough to prioritise source-based measures over effect-based measures of all sorts despite the principles embedded in the Directive. Third, scientific knowledge is an important ally for water interests, yet politicisation in power struggles looms. The contributions in the Special Issue offer reflections on the open, participatory, experimentalist governance that the WFD exemplifies. While most authors agree that this path is attractive and appropriate in some respects, questions can be raised as to whether it also avoids confrontations and hampers the effectiveness of policies.

Lead adsorption in soils and the effect of soil properties: case study from Turkey

Lead (Pb) concentration of agricultural soils arises from either many industrial or agricultural pollution sources, and it is of most harmful heavy metals. Its reactivity and mobility in agricultural soils have significant environmental and ecosystem health consequences. Therefore, Pb adsorption processes of 28 surface soils with differing physico-chemical properties and mineralogy were investigated by batch sorption technique in this lab-based study. Scope of 1.00 g soils was reacted with 20 mL of 10–4–10–2 molar Pb concentration prepared in 0.01 molar Ca(NO3)2 solution at 25 °C for 24 h. The sorption data were tested against Langmuir and Freundlich models by regression analysis. Results indicated both Langmuir and Freundlich models successively described the Pb adsorption onto the soils. The maximum adsorptions of the soils were ranged from 21,268 to 46,301 mg kg−1. The Freundlich n parameters varied between 0.235 and 0.564 mL g−1 and Kf 459–154,525 mg kg−1. Correlation and principal component analyses revealed that Pb adsorption by the experimental soils was strongly related to pH, clay, and calcium carbonate equivalent, and soluble salt concentrations. Therefore, it can be concluded that acidic pH and coarse texture can make soils susceptible to increased level of Pb. In contrast, clay texture and alkaline pH increase the sorption capacity while decreasing the mobility of Pb.

Assessment of water quality compartments in Kor River, IRAN.

A comprehensive risk assessment tool may have advantages for investigating complex water quality data and for a better understanding of the ecological status of the studied systems including aquatic ecosystems. In this paper, the impact of agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources on the quality of the Kor River in Fars Province, Iran are investigated. The study developed a procedure consists of pollution index (Pi), water quality index (WQI), and data grouping as a useful simple tool to assist water quality management. The pollution indicators used in the development of Pi and WQI are 15 physical, chemical, and biological variables in the river water. According to the world guideline standards, an appropriate weight is assigned to each indicator, scores of Pi are determined, a composite WQI is formulated, and a water quality grouping score is proposed. Pollution risk levels along the river are highlighted using the grouping score and dominant pollution sources are determined. Results revealed that pollution sources influence the water quality indicator content so that some sites are under the high influence of sewage disposal and industrial effluents and some others under the influence of agricultural runoff. Results also provide insight into the development of better pollution control strategies for the Kor River and other aquatic ecosystems affected by industrial, agricultural, and domestic pollution sources.

Visualization Analysis of Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution

Visualization Analysis of Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution

GREY WATER FOOTPRINT OF POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION: THE CZECH REPUBLIC STUDY

Grey Water Footprint is an indicator of anthropogenic pollution load into the inland water. The indicator is used for quantification of water needed for pollutant dilution to such an extent that the quality of the ambient water remains above agreed water quality standards of pollution discharged from point sources in the Czech Republic. Grey Water Footprint was calculated for 6 382 point pollution sources, recorded in the national register of wastewater discharges, from period 2009–2018. The domestic, industry and agriculture sectors were analyzed separately in the assessment. The total Grey Water Footprint of point sources of pollution varied between 1.90 × 1010 and 2.46 × 1010 m3/year. The Grey Water Footprint of domestic pollution represented about ¾ of the total Grey Water Footprint. The Grey Water Footprint of industrial pollution represented about ¼ of the total Grey Water Footprint. The Grey Water Footprint of agricultural point sources of pollution can be neglected on the national level in the Czech Republic. In most cases, the Grey Water Footprint is determined by ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N).