Enhance Water Quality Research Articles

Effect of stocking density on growth, hematological and biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) cultured in a biofloc system

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a technique of enhancing water quality, focused on a more efficient use of nutrients and lower water consumption. This technology may result in higher productivity with less impact to the environment. This work aimed to assess the effect of different stocking densities (SD) on growth, hematological and biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) juveniles cultured in a biofloc system. Three different SDs were used: 10, 20 and 30 g of biomass/L (designated as treatment D10, D20 and D30, respectively). After 45 days, fish from D30 group showed significantly improved growth performance (final weight and daily weight gain) and lower fat deposition in the fillet. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were significantly reduced in the liver of silver catfish reared at the higher SD. In addition, fish from D30 group showed the lower values for lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in muscle and gill tissue. These results indicate that an initial SD of 30 g of biomass/L appears appropriate for silver catfish juveniles cultured in a BFT system.

Drain Time for Porous Stormwater Basin

AbstractPorous basins are popular low-impact-development (LID) facilities for on-site runoff disposal and water quality enhancement. Bioretention basins and rain gardens are recommended to intercep...

Potential nutrient removal function of naturally existed ditches and ponds in paddy regions: Prospect of enhancing water quality by irrigation and drainage management

Conventionally, paddy fields are regarded as important non-point sources of nutrient pollution, while ecological ditches and ponds are developed to reduce or retain nutrient export from agricultural fields. To quantify the potential nutrient removal function of ditches and ponds that naturally existed in rice growing regions, a representative paddy irrigation and drainage unit (IDU) composed of fields, ditches and a pond in the one-season rice region of the middle Changjiang River basin, China was monitored for two years. With data and knowledge gained, a Water Quantity and Quality Model for Paddy IDUs (WQQM-PIDU) is developed and applied for 30 years simulation to produce a general view. The monitored and modelled results showed that nutrient concentration peaks after fertilization was delayed and lowered in ditches and ponds, compared to those in paddy fields. Concentrations of runoff from the IDU outlet were generally lower than from the field during the whole rice growing season except the transplanting period. If fully utilized as temporary reservoirs, ditches and ponds naturally existed in a typical paddy IDU would reduce 39% nitrogen loads from field edges with a range of 17%–93% and 28% phosphorus loads with a range of 12%–92%. Although typical paddy IDUs discharge fewer nutrient loads than the content input into them, the discharge concentrations may be risky to surface waters. For their nutrient removal function, natural ditches and ponds are recommended to be included into irrigation and drainage management with accurate water level management during drainage, which is a promising and cost-effective approach to enhance surface water quality in rice growing regions.

Developing nitrate-nitrogen transport models using remotely-sensed geospatial data of soil moisture profiles and wet depositions

Nutrients loads in aquatic systems are dynamic and highly influenced by changing the land, soil, and atmospheric conditions. This study enhances water quality modeling by providing novel nitrate transport models using remotely-sensed geospatial data, allowing for dynamic predictions of nitrate loads in watersheds. One factor at a time, sensitivity analysis was employed in the classical nitrate transport model to incorporate the impacts of 1) nitrates in the soil moisture profiles 2) wet deposition of nitrates and 3) the synergistic effects of multiple atmospheric and soil effects on nitrate-nitrogen in catchments. The study found that the effects of soil moisture profiles were dominant than the wet deposition in the evaluation of nitrate-nitrogen in catchments. The addition of nitrates from soil moisture profile, wet deposition and both together effectively increased the annual average nitrates in the Fish River catchment from 0.180 kg/ha to 0.187 kg/ha, 0.396 kg/ha and 0.381 kg/ha respectively. Their additions consistently increased the nitrate loads from spring to winter seasons but exhibited different seasonal trends for soils such as silty sand and fine sand. The models developed in this study can be utilized in water quality assessment tools for effective dynamic predictions of nutrients loads into water bodies.

The Role of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Control for Phytoplankton in a Subtropical Shallow Eutrophic Lake: Evidence Based on Long-Term Monitoring and Modeling

Lake ecosystems are exposed to a range of anthropogenic pressures, particularly eutrophication, and in some cases also stocking and/or overfishing of top-predator fish species, all factors that have implications for the food web structure and which could lead to dominance of nuisance cyanobacteria. Restoration of degraded lakes demands insight into the relative role of top-down for bottom-up regulating forces. While knowledge about these forces in temperate lakes is extensive, comparatively little is known of their role in subtropical lakes where the importance of herbivorous and benthic feeding fish is higher. Here, we analyzed a long-term monitoring data set on subtropical, shallow Lake Taihu, China, and applied random forests regression to examine how phytoplankton was related to environmental variables and biotic assemblages. Our results indicate that the biomass and density of phytoplankton increased with increasing biomass of benthivorous and zooplanktivorous fish and decreased with increases in ammonium concentrations, the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, and zooplankton biomass, while the response to climate fluctuations and changes in the biomass of piscivores was weak. Effects of higher trophic levels explained as much of the variance in phytoplankton biomass as did nutrients and climatic factors. Moreover, the remarkably reduced ratio of zooplankton to phytoplankton biomass and the decline in cladoceran individual biomass emphasized the increasing importance of top-down control in regulating the phytoplankton following extensive stocking. Our findings offer insight into how fish management may be combined with catchment-level restoration measures to conserve and enhance water quality.

Watershed Scale Nitrate-N Abatement of Instream Wetlands: An Appraisal Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool

HighlightsSWAT used to address watershed scale nitrate-N abatement of instream wetlands (ISWs).Experimental ISW results were incorporated into the watershed modeling framework.SWAT successfully captured and reproduced ISW impact on nitrate-N at sub-basin level.Scenarios of ISWs implementation were simulated, effects on nitrate-N export were evaluated.Results show ISWs can be used as conservation structures aimed at enhancing water quality.Abstract. In watersheds under high agricultural production, nitrate nitrogen (nitrate-N) pollution often originates from intensive application of fertilizers and animal manure to croplands. Surface runoff and nitrate-N export from farmlands contributes to the pollution of nearby reaches which flow into the watershed stream network. Experimental studies reported significant nitrate removal capacities of constructed instream wetlands (ISWs). However, cases of large-scale implementations of ISWs are uncommon, probably due to a paucity of watershed-scale studies which highlight the influence of ISWs on riverine water quality. To elucidate the ISWs nitrate-N abatement potential at the watershed scale, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model nitrate-N export in a highly agricultural watershed located in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. SWAT was first calibrated and validated for streamflow and for nitrate-N export using data collected from the inlet and outlet of an experimental instream wetland. The validated SWAT model was used to simulate a decade of nitrate-N export under two scenarios: 1) watershed with ISWs implemented; and 2) watershed without ISWs. The results of the case study indicated that a watershed-wide implementation of ISWs is likely to curtail annual nitrate-N export by 49%. The study also evaluated cases where ISWs are implemented in selected percentage of sub-basins across the watershed. The outcomes show higher increments of nitrate-N curtailment when ISWs are implemented in the first top agricultural sub-basins. Hence, implementation of ISWs on selected sub-basins can mitigate nitrate-N from non-point sources and enhance water quality in the watershed’s stream network. Keywords: Runoff, Croplands, Instream wetland, Nitrate-N export, Denitrification, SWAT model, Watershed.

Radiation-Assisted Waste Water Treatment Using Nanocatalyst and Fenton’s Reagent

The effect of nanocatalyst and Fentons reagent on the efficiency of wastewater treatment under the influence of -radiation was studied. Model samples of aqueous solutions of phenol were used for examining radiolytic decomposition patterns under the influence of -radiation (at doses in the range of 1.418 kGy) in the presence or absence of nano-gamma-Al2O3 catalyst accompanied by in situ Fentons reagent formation. It was established that the addition of the nanocatalyst to the system resulted in an increase in the rate of phenol decomposition and an increase in the radiation-chemical yields of the radiolytic transformation. Industrial and municipal wastewater samples were applied for studying possibility of their biochemical treatment under the influence of -radiation in the presence of the nanocatalyst and a component of Fentons reagent system. Irradiation of wastewater samples taken from an oil refining enterprise led to an enhancement of water quality and a substantial improvement in bacteriological parameters (indicators of E. coli and total microbial count). Изучено влияние нанокатализатора и реактива Фентона на эффективность очистки сточных вод под действием гамма-излучения. На модельных образцах водных растворов фенола установлены закономерности радиолитического разложения фенола в водных растворах под действием γ-излучения (при дозах в диапазоне 1.4-18 kГр) в присутствии и в отсутствии катализатора нано-гамма-Al2O3 при наличии образующегося in situ реактива Фентона. Установлено, что добавление в систему нанокатализатора приводит к повышению скорости разложения фенола и увеличению радиационно-химического выхода радиолитического превращения. На реальных пробах промышленных и коммунально-бытовых сточных вод показана возможность их биохимической очистки под действием γ-излучения в присутствии нанокатализатора и компонента реактива Фентона. Облучение образцов сточных вод нефтеперерабатывающего завода привело к улучшению качества воды и к заметному улучшению бактериологических параметров (показателей E. coli и общего микробного числа).

Photosynthetic bacteria enhanced water quality and integrity of microbial community composition of integrated multitrophic aquaculture system of milkfish Chanos chanos coastal farming

Aquaculture faces substantial challenges in mitigating the detrimental environmental impacts of intensive farming. Traditional methods have given rise to serious concerns, leading to the search for alternative approaches using probiotics. An indigenously isolated photosynthetic purple bacterium, Rhodovulum sulfidophilum, was introduced into a marine integrated multitrophic aquaculture system cultivating Chanos chanos in southwestern Taiwan. The effects of R. sulfidophilum on water quality parameters, the relative levels of nitrogenase-encoding nifH and nitrous oxide reductase-encoding nosZ genes, the occurrence of sulfonamide resistance, the presence of sulfonamide resistance genes, and microbial community structure were determined. Supplementation with R. sulfidophilum decreased the chemical oxygen demand, the nitrate levels, and the occurrence of sulfonamide-resistant bacteria in the fishpond water compared with that of the control after rearing. The level of the sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 decreased in R. sulfidophilum-supplemented water samples, while the control exhibited an elevated level of sul2 after rearing. Supplementation with R. sulfidophilum also maintained the integrity of the bacterial community structure. In conclusion, our results suggest that R. sulfidophilum is an attractive supplement for enhanced disease emergence control, microbial biodiversity maintenance, and sustainable marine aquaculture practice.

An integrated data-driven framework for surface water quality anomaly detection and early warning

Abstract The surface water quality anomaly detection for rapid early warning is essential to prevent potential harmful compounds, resulting from river environmental spills or intentional releases, from dispersing in large scale. In this study, an effective data-driven framework for surface water quality anomaly detection is developed to provide early warnings for dealing with river environmental pollution in advance. The developed framework is constructed by an integration of Bayesian autoregressive (BAR) model for water quality variation prediction and Isolation Forest (IF) algorithm for water quality anomaly detection. First, an autoregressive method based on Bayesian inference is used to forecast the tendencies of water quality variations. Second, an IF algorithm is applied to identify the features of water quality anomalies using the prediction residuals obtained in the previous stage. The integration framework is then applied to analyze and detect the surface water quality variations and anomalies in Potomac River of West Virginia, USA, comparing with prediction-based anomaly detection method, classification-based anomaly detection method, and different scenarios. The results demonstrate that the developed integration framework not only could enhance water quality anomaly detection accuracy, but also effectively provide early warning for emergency operations in a quick response.

Agricultural Nitrogen Pollution of Freshwater in Germany. The Governance of Sustaining a Complex Problem

The nitrogen pollution of freshwater heavily affects social–ecological systems. To reduce negative effects, research calls for an integrated approach, including a coherent and diverse set of governance instruments. Thus far, however, the effects of (non-)integration have been blurry. Taking Germany as an example, this study sheds light on the actual complexity of the problem along five dimensions of complexity (goals, variables, dynamics, interconnections, and uncertainties). It also sheds light on related governance instruments (rules, information, and economic incentives) and their impacts on problem-solving (implementation of specific measures). Analyses include expert interviews on complexity, European water and agricultural policies, and official data on the planning and implementation of measures to reduce nitrogen concentrations. Results show Germany’s path of sustaining a complex problem by using a non-coherent and low diversity governance approach, avoiding rigorous rules, and barely using economic instruments to deal with nitrogen surpluses. A stronger integration of water and agricultural policies, as well as a better use of economic instruments, are suggested to enhance water quality in the future.

Six artificial recharge pilot replicates to gain insight into water quality enhancement processes

The processes that control water quality improvement during artificial recharge (filtering, degradation, and adsorption) can be enhanced by adding a reactive barrier containing different types of sorption sites and promoting diverse redox states along the flow path, which increases the range of pollutants degraded. While this option looks attractive for renaturazing reclaimed water, three issues have to be analyzed prior to broad scale application: (1) a fair comparison between the system with and without reactive barrier; (2) the role of plants in prevention of clogging and addition of organic carbon; and (3) the removal of pathogens. Here, we describe a pilot installation built to address these issues within a waste water treatment plant that feeds on water reclaimed from the secondary outflow. The installation consists of six systems of recharge basin and aquifer with some variations in the design of the reactive barrier and the heterogeneity of the aquifer. We report preliminary results after one year of operation. We find that (1) the systems are efficient in obtaining a broad range of redox conditions (at least iron and manganese reducing), (2) contaminants of emerging concern are significantly removed (around 80% removal, but very sensitive to the compound), (3) pathogen indicators (E. coli and Enterococci) drop by some 3–5 log units, and (4) the recharge systems maintained infiltration capacity after one year of operation (only the system without plants and the one without reactive barrier displayed some clogging). Overall, the reactive barrier enhances somewhat the performance of the system, but the gain is not dramatic, which suggests that barrier composition needs to be improved.

Photo-catalytic reactor and detention pond integration: a novel technique for surface water quality enhancement via nano-TiO2

Integration possibility and performance of a fixed-bed photo-catalytic reactor, merged with a detention pond, were examined at scale model. The focus of this study is to overcome the key issues of the conventional detention ponds and provide an enhanced surface water quality via nano-TiO2 as a novel hybrid technology. Photo-degradation of detained water nutrients in newly designed fixed-bed reactor pond (FRP) was studied to observe the impacts of heterogeneous reactions under ultraviolet irradiation. Immobilization of nano-titanium dioxide as catalyst, covering the FRP internal surface, was practiced for comparison and control. Rutile with anatase forms of TiO2 nano-powder (P25) was replaced in cement (white cement as well as Portland) at three dosages (30, 10, and 3%) for optimization purpose. Biodegradable pollutant elimination capability of FRP underpinned by the results for lower nitrate (16%), orthophosphate (25%), and COD (18%) in 2 days retention time, comparatively. Within 21 days, detaining time 26%, 58%. and 47% higher elimination was achieved, respectively. Improved catalyst surface area to reactor volume as well as an optimized retention time, based on streamflow pollution level, were achieved via splitting the FRP into two parts using a divider. FRP inlet was equipped with a flow switcher to capture and detain the first flush from the stormwater separately, while the balance is directed to the second part with a different required holding period. The divider walls were coated with cement-based nano-TiO2 and it also retrofitted applying filter media inside, for sediment-bound pollutant omission which the technique emerged with a greater TSS removal potency of up to 43%.

Using Spatially Targeted Conservation to Evaluate Nitrogen Reduction and Economic Opportunities for Best Management Practice Placement in Agricultural Landscapes.

The US Cornbelt leads North American production of intensively managed, row-crop corn and soybeans. While highly productive, agricultural management in the region is often linked with nonpoint source nutrient pollution that negatively impacts water quality. Presently, conservation programs designed to install best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate agricultural nonpoint source pollution have not been targeted to those areas of the landscape that contribute disproportionately to surface water quality concerns. We used an innovative spatially targeted conservation protocol coupled with a GIS-based landscape planning tool to evaluate the cost and effect on water quality from nitrate-nitrogen loss under alternative landscape scenarios in an Iowa watershed. Outputs indicate large reductions in watershed-level nitrate-nitrogen loss could be achieved through coordinated placement of BMPs on high-contributing parcels with limited reduction of cultivated land, resulting in improved surface water quality at relatively low economic costs. For example, one scenario, which added wetlands, cover crops, and saturated buffers in the watershed, required the removal of <5% of cultivated area to reduce nitrate-nitrogen loss by an estimated 49%, exceeding the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goal for enhancing water quality. Annualized establishment and management costs of landscape scenarios that met the nonpoint source nitrogen reduction goal varied from $3.16 to $3.19 million (2017 US dollars). These results support our hypothesis that water quality can be improved by targeting high-contributing parcels, and highlights the potential to minimize tradeoffs by coupling targeted conservation and planning tools to help stakeholders achieve water quality outcomes within agricultural landscapes.

Coupling ferrate pretreatment and in-situ ozonation/ceramic membrane filtration for wastewater reclamation: Water quality and membrane fouling

The combined pretreatment of coagulation and ozonation is extensively adopted for water quality enhancement and membrane fouling reduction in wastewater reclamation. Herein, the integrated treatment of ferrate pretreatment and in-situ ozonation/ceramic membrane filtration on water quality improvement and fouling reduction of ceramic membrane in secondary wastewater effluent treatment was reported for the first time. The results showed that the hybrid treatment of ferrate pretreatment and in-situ ozonation greatly inhibited the generation of N-dimethyl nitrosamine (NDMA) and did not generate bromate. Meanwhile, the best removal efficiencies of low molecular weight (MW) organics (32.3%), humic-like substances (17.8%) and biopolymers (87.5%) in effluent were achieved by the combination of ferrate (0.15 mM) pretreatment and in-situ ozonation (10 mg/L). Moreover, the control sample (without any treatment) had a fouling transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 30.5 kPa after 7.0 h filtration under a constant flux of 90 L/(m2·h) while that was only 1.0 kPa by the hybrid treatment of ferrate (0.15 mM) pretreatment and in-situ ozonation (10 mg/L). Soluble microbial products (SMP)-like substances with high molecular weight (MW) of 20–2000 kDa were the main foulants and intermediate-standard fouling mechanism played a principal role during the membrane filtration process. Statistical analysis showed that dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV254 and protein had the greatest positive correlation (above 0.92) to the total fouling resistance, whilst turbidity displayed the greatest negative correlation (around −0.61) to the total fouling resistance. The remarkable fouling alleviation was due to the improved water quality and in-situ cleaning, which were contributed to the coagulation and oxidation by ferrate and in-situ ozonation.

Impact of commercial probiotics on growth parameters of European catfish (Silurus glanis) and water quality in recirculating aquaculture systems

This study aimed to establish the impact of commercial probiotics on European catfish growth parameters and water quality in recirculating aquaculture systems. For the study, the European catfish were placed in two tanks with 45 fish in each tank. Average body weight and length at the beginning of the study were 133.0 g and 27.0 cm, respectively. Rearing conditions and feeding regime were identical, and the only difference was that 1 ml of commercial probiotics was poured into the water of one experimental tank every other day. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Weight and length were measured every 2 weeks. After each measurement, European catfish growth parameters, feed conversion ratios, and feed efficiency were established. After the end of the study, it was established that there were significant differences between specific growth speed, daily growth index, feed conversion ratio, and feed efficiency (P < 0.05) for the fish reared in two experimental groups. Statistically significant differences in the water parameters were established among ammonia, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen concentrations (P < 0.05). Differences in temperature, nitrates, and pH were statistically insignificant. The results of this study showed that commercial probiotics can be used in the European catfish culture to enhance water quality, feed efficiency, and growth performance.

Understanding the individual role of fish, oyster, phytoplankton and macroalgae in the ecology of integrated production in earthen ponds

In order to demonstrate that IMTA can be profitable and a good alternative to regular semi-intensive fish mariculture production in earthen ponds three different production treatments with distinct combinations of trophic levels were designed: (i) a combination of fish, filter feeders, phytoplankton and macroalgae, (ii) fish, filter feeders and phytoplankton and (iii) fish, phytoplankton and macroalgae, to evaluate the role of each trophic level within an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system (IMTA). Each treatment was carried out under semi-intensive conditions with two replicates, in a total of 6 earthen ponds of 500 m2 surface and depth of 1.5 m. The results showed that fish, oyster, phytoplankton and macroalgae integrated aquaculture is a healthy sustainable production system for mariculture in earthen ponds, providing much more fish supply compared with the other two treatments. Ponds with filter feeders had significantly lower turbidity (Nephelometric Formazin unit (FNU) of 13 in the morning and 17 in the afternoon) when compared to ponds without filter feeders (16 FNU in the morning and 20 FNU in the afternoon) with increased light penetration throughout water column (61 and 55 cm transparency in ponds with filter feeders compared to 51 cm in ponds without filter feeders) and consequently higher photosynthetic activity with significantly higher dissolved oxygen (5.4 mg L−1 in the morning and 6.7 mg L−1 in the afternoon in ponds with filter feeders compared to 5.3 mg L−1 in the morning and 6.4 mg L−1 in the afternoon in ponds without filter feeders) and carbon sequestration (0.50 and 0.53 mg L−1 8 h−1 in ponds with filter feeders and 0.43 mg L−1 8 h−1 in ponds without filter feeders). In the fish, filter feeder, phytoplanton and macroalgae IMTA treatment, phytoplankton played a crucial role because they increased DO levels, removed the excess of nutrients from animal excretion, and was used as food by the filter feeders. Almost as important is the presence of filter feeders since they control the density of the microalgae and particulate matter in the ponds contributing to a more constant level of DO and higher transparency of the water column. The increased transparency and pond fertilization by oyster excretion, resulted in higher proliferation of phytoplankton (chlorophyll a concentrations of 16.5 μg L−1 and 20.2 μg L−1 in ponds with filter feeder and 13.3 μg L−1 in ponds without filter feeder) with benefits not only for filter feeders themselves but also for the macroalgae. At the end there was higher water quality and higher savings (14% day−1) in the energy costs for pond aeration. Meagre, white seabream and flathead grey mullet enhance their performance in IMTA systems with the presence of filter feeders with food conversion rates (FCR) of 1.52 when compared with 2.46 in the regular semi-intensive system composed by fish, phytoplankton and macroalgae. Meagre grew significantly more in IMTA systems with controlled macroalgae while white seabream and flathead grey mullet enhance their performance in the presence of macroalgae. The results show that the fish, oyster, phytoplankton and macroalgae integrated production in earthen ponds is an improved system compared to the regular semi-intensive fish production. The enhanced water quality in these systems leads to improved fish performance and higher biomass production, and to reduction in the energy power used, contributing to greater profitability.

Enhancement of Water Quality for Shatt Al-Arab River and NW Arabian Gulf BY Granular Activated Carbon and local Sand

Enhancement of Water Quality for Shatt Al-Arab River and NW Arabian Gulf BY Granular Activated Carbon and local Sand

Cost-effective reduction of micro pollutants in the water cycle – Case study on iodinated contrast media

Surface waters, especially in densely populated areas, are facing multiple anthropogenic pressures. Micro pollutants are of growing concern. Improved analytical methods are used to focus on substances like ICM with a (high) potential of hazardous effects against water organisms or the water quality in general ICM are essential for instance in computer tomographic examinations in medical facilities. Discharge of ICM to the sewer system occurs via human urine excretions. Common waste water treatment plants do not eliminate these substances completely. Therefore, increasing concentrations are found in the rivers worldwide. The project MERK'MAL explored a potentially cost-effective measure to reduce ICM in the River Ruhr, located in Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia. The results from this pilot study show that urine bags are an effective measure to reduce ICM concentrations. During the urine collection with bags measurements of ICM concentrations have shown a reduction, compared to the baseline concentration that was measured at the same sampling point in the effluent of the corresponding waste water treatment plant. The ICM reduction ranged between 20 and 34% for the mean values and between 7 and 33% for the median value. Additional payment equivalent costs per examination with ICM are approx. 3.36 €, full costs including imputed costs are expected in a cost range of 5.38 € to 6.09 € per examination. The extension of the study is envisioned, helping to sustainably enhance water quality in the River Ruhr in terms of ICM concentrations.

Preliminary Study on Geospatial Techniques to assess and enhance water Quality of Uttarakhand, India

Uttarakhand being a mountainous state having maximum area under forest cover, about 65% and provides large amount of freshwater river for Ganga basin where habitation and agriculture are dominant. The rising demand of drinking water due to population growth also leads to the water scarcity in the terms of availability of quality drinking water. Contamination mentioned by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 2009 and low per capita availability of quality drinking water reported by Department of Science and Technology (Government of India), 2010-2015, are the key issues of the state. To understand the availability of safe drinking water it is necessary to understand the overall hydrology of the basin in a spatial domain. The utilization of advance tools and techniques such as spatial models, geo statistical tools, high resolution remote sensing data and numerical hydrological model in the present study will enhance and ensure the water quality issue of Himalayan state of Uttarakhand which is expected to serve the society living along the river basin as well as in mountainous systems. The study will ensure the availability of sufficient quality drinking water to the communities in the selected watershed of each districts, considering the environmental aspects and human health while assessing 26 water quality parameters like color, odour,taste, turbidity, pH, total hardness, iron, chloride, chlorine, fluoride, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, copper ,manganese, sulphate, nitrate, phenolic compound, arsenic, cadmium, lead, zinc, chromium, alkalinity and coliform bacteria etc. and also provide feasible solution of sustainable availability of water. Geospatial water quality and quantity model help to find out the spatio-temporal analysis of contamination and particles movement in the watersheds. Modern geo statistical simulation algorithms can produce multiple subsurface realizations that are in agreement with the conceptual geological models. The quality modeling and monitoring will help in providing portable surface and ground waters to the citizens.

Current Situation and Prospects for Aquifer Storage and Water Quality Enhancement (ASWQE) Projects in Korea: A Legal Perspective

The aquifer storage and water quality enhancement (ASWQE) method is a potential alternative to overcome the limitations of water resource policies that focus on surface water and act as an effective measure against water shortage caused by climate change. According to the physical/technical characteristics and operational complexity of the ASQWE, there are various legal/institutional issues to be considered at every stage in the development and implementation of the project. However, in Korea, there is no legislation or legal basis directly related to the ASWQE projects, resulting in large gaps between the initiatives of ASWQE and the relevant laws and statutes. In this respect, this study, to introduce approaches for the establishment of a legal system in line with the requirements of ASWQE projects, mainly analyzes the gaps between the abovementioned principal legal/institutional issues/subjects and the indispensable elements at each phase of the project’s process in the existing Korean legal system concerning the ASWQE, particularly based on the issue tree approach. Through this comprehensive, systematic, and comparative case study, large gaps have been definitely identified between the initiatives surrounding ASWQE projects and the existing Korean legal system, and to conclude, legally multilateral approaches to fill and make up for the gaps have been presented. It is expected that the Korean government will continue to pursue the establishment of a comprehensive and integrated legal system in line with the requirements of ASWQE projects based on this research’s findings. When these attempts succeed, the expected legal achievement for the development and implementation of ASWQE projects could serve as an exemplary legal case for the entire world.