River Pollution Research Articles (Page 1)

This study aims to analyze the relationship between decentralization and the ineffectiveness of environmental law enforcement in the case of Citarum River pollution. Although a national legal framework exists, implementation at the local level reveals weak institutional capacity, poor inter-agency coordination, and low accountability of local governments. This research employs a qualitative approach using a case study method in the Citarum River Basin. The findings indicate that decentralization has not fully strengthened environmental law enforcement due to weak political will, the dominance of economic interests, and limited public participation. The study recommends strengthening local governance through policy reform, institutional capacity building, and greater public involvement in environmental oversight.

Comprehensive river cleaning: PTV analysis of a novel plastic debris removal concept in a large-scale physical model.

Wastewater as a driver of heavy metal pollution in river catchments - A study of possible scenarios.

Identifying urban river pollution sources from wet-weather discharges using an integrated deep learning and data assimilation approach

Urban blue spaces (UBSs) play a pivotal role in supporting ecological integrity and public health, yet the causal mechanisms connecting the magnitude of water quality improvements to specific health outcomes remain insufficiently explored. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of two large-scale surface water quality initiatives on the health and physical activity patterns of residents in Qingdao, China: a river pollution clean-up program and a shoreline and estuary monitoring program. Employing a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DID) framework with repeated cross-sectional survey data (2017 and 2018; n = 735), we evaluate effects on self-rated health (SRH), happiness, physical activity levels, and body mass index (BMI). Results reveal that both programs significantly enhanced exercise frequency. River pollution clean-up could promote SRH by 0.319 points on the 5-point scale (β = 0.319, p < 0.05), while shoreline quality monitoring program boosted happiness by 0.233 points on the 5-point scale (β = 0.233, p < 0.05). In contrast, both interventions had no significant effect on BMI (p > 0.1). Subgroup analysis revealed that the health and well-being benefits of water quality improvements varied by gender, age, education, and income level. These findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing high-impact UBS interventions in degraded urban areas and integrating them with accessible infrastructure to optimize health gains in a more effective and equitable way.

Abstract The continuous rise in industrialization, urban expansion, and human activities has intensified river pollution worldwide. Rivers, being vital sources of freshwater, are increasingly contaminated due to the unregulated discharge of plastic debris, floating waste, and other non-biodegradable materials. Such pollutants not only degrade aquatic ecosystems but also endanger biodiversity, human health, and the overall environmental balance. Conventional cleaning methods, often dependent on manual labor or fuel-driven boats, are inefficient, costly, and contribute indirectly to carbon emissions. This research presents the design and fabrication of a solar-powered semi-automatic river cleaning system aimed at providing an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for floating waste removal. The system operates using renewable solar energy, thereby eliminating reliance on conventional fuels. It employs a conveyor mechanism that continuously collects floating waste and deposits it into a rear-mounted storage container. Lightweight and corrosion-resistant materials were used to ensure buoyancy, strength, and long-term durability. Performance tests conducted under both controlled and real-water conditions showed high waste collection efficiency, low maintenance requirements, and minimal operational cost. The integration of semi-automation reduces manual involvement and enhances reliability in waste collection. Moreover, the modular design allows scalability for use in different water bodies, from small lakes to medium-sized rivers. The study demonstrates a sustainable approach to environmental protection by merging renewable energy with mechanical automation. This innovation supports global efforts toward clean water and climate action, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Keywords: Solar Power, Semi-Automation, River Cleaning Machine, Renewable Energy, Environmental Sustainability, Waste Management, Green Technology

Sluice operations significantly influence pollutant migration and transformation by altering river hydrological regimes. However, the mechanisms and ecological effects remain unclear in the high-sediment, strongly erosive environment of China's Loess Plateau during flood seasons. This study systematically investigated the multiscale impacts of hydrological fluctuations on degradation coefficients of COD, BOD5, NH4+-N, and TP through integrated field monitoring and laboratory simulations in the Dan River, a typical sluice-controlled watercourse. Key findings include: The river's physicochemical properties exhibited diurnal stability between 11:00 and 16:30, providing an optimal timeframe for determining pollutant degradation coefficients in the Dan River; Flow velocity exhibited the strongest positive correlations with degradation coefficients of all four pollutants (R = 0.681-0.909, p < 0.01), showing highest sensitivity for NH4+-N; Straight river reaches demonstrated greater pollutant removal efficiency than curved river reaches. Sluice-opening enhanced degradation coefficients of all four pollutants in straight river reaches but inhibited BOD5and TP degradation in curved river reaches; Under controlled laboratory conditions (20°C), the upstream Niucun section showed higher degradation coefficients for COD, BOD5, and NH4+-N, compared to downstream sections, while TP degradation was lower. Natural conditions generally yielded higher degradation coefficients than laboratory settings, though negative coefficients occurred in curved river reaches due to pollutant accumulation. This study provides fundamental data and insights for optimizing sluice management and improving water quality in flood-prone river networks of the Loess Plateau.

Urban rivers are hypothesized to be major transporters of plastic pollution into lakes and oceans, with storm events playing a pivotal role. However, few studies investigate microplastic and macroplastic contamination and transport across a river basin, and how it varies with flow. Here, we sampled microplastic (less than 5 mm) and macroplastic (greater than 5 mm) from four sites along an urban river in Ontario, Canada, during baseflow and stormflow. To contextualize their fate and transport through river reaches, we sampled macroplastic stored in the riparian zone, overhanging vegetation, floating in surface water and riverbed and sampled microplastic from the surface water, water column and sediment. At baseflow, most macroplastic was found in the riparian zone (ranging from 0.1 to 4.7 pieces per m2). During stormflow, concentrations (micro and macro) rise and fall with discharge. Moreover, the composition of microplastics in the water column shifts from fibre- to rubber-dominated during higher flows. The mobilization of denser (e.g. rubber) particles during flow is consistent with greater water velocities during storms. Finally, using our data and flow patterns from 2022 to 2023, we estimate that approximately 522 billion microplastic particles and 20 754 macroplastic items, equalling approximately 36 000 and 160 kg by mass, respectively, are transported to Lake Ontario annually.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Sedimentology of plastics: state of the art and future directions'.

Mining liabilities as a source of toxic metals and physicochemical contaminants in tropical rivers.

ABSTRACT Rivers and canals are the main networks in urban areas that receive waste involving metal-containing substances from anthropogenic activities. After entering the water column, the distribution of metals depends on hydrological conditions and seasonal changes. The present study determined the available and total metal contents in the riverine sediments and assessed their ecological risks. The bottom sediments were collected from rivers and canals for the dry and rainy seasons. Metal content analysis was performed using ICP-MS. The concentration of metals were descending from Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni, specifically: 12900–20630 mg kg−1 (Fe), 144.0–852.7 mg kg−1 (Zn), 42.9–213 mg kg−1 (Cu), 41.4–167.2 mg kg−1 (Cr), 22.4–139.9 mg kg−1 (Pb), 20.85–63.98 mg kg−1 (Ni). The fluctuations in metal content showed a slight increase during the rainy season compared to the dry season, leading to increased river pollution and a reduced capacity for recovery. The levels of metal pollution varied between sites, depending on the influence of urban activities and industrial production. The increase in anthropogenic activities led to elevated metal concentrations in the sediments as reflected by low to high values of contamination factors (CFs) and Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), indicating low to medium pollution for Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cr. Additionally, the pollution load index (PLI) > 1 for all sites indicated pollution at risk level. The value of the risk assessment code (RAC) varied by up to 30%, suggesting the potential for pollution and the impact of metals on sediment and water quality.

Environmental exposure and risk assessment of pesticide mixtures in aquatic organisms from the Tagus River Basin.

Introduction: Environmental pollution in Indonesia has largely not been fully resolved, which should be the full responsibility of the company. One of the cases of environmental pollution that occurred in North Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province.Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this research is to examine and analyze the responsibility of companies that commit environmental pollution and the form of law enforcement of companies that commit environmental pollution.Methods of the Research: This type of research is normative juridical research, which is legal research whose object of study includes the provisions of legislation or also called literature law research. Literature law research is research that is carried out by examining literature materials or secondary data.Results of the Research: The responsibility of PT. Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) which is suspected of environmental pollution that occurs includes preventive measures, waste management and recovery if environmental damage occurs, business actors are absolutely responsible. Civil Liability of PT. Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) includes installing waste management units so that waste is in accordance with the specified environmental quality standards, restoring environmental functions, increasing supervision and evaluation to anticipate the recurrence of negligence and carrying out moral responsibility to the environment by accelerating the process of restoring polluted river stream environments by carrying out routine cleaning of river flows so that waste residues that are polluted Exit into the river can quickly decompose. Civil law enforcement can be used as an instrument to hold PT. Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) which has been suspected of polluting the environment through a claim for compensation by the aggrieved party. Civil lawsuits can be filed on the basis of Unlawful Acts, where business actors are considered to have violated environmental rights and harmed other parties with their polluting actions.

BackgroundIn the Brazilian Amazon, approximately 900,000 people live along riverbanks, relying on the biome for survival and livelihoods. Severe droughts and flooding events, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon and human-driven actions such as deforestation and fires, exacerbate the isolation of traditional communities. This isolation limits access to essential healthcare services and worsens existing health inequalities among vulnerable populations. This study investigates how extreme climatic events impact health and healthcare access in traditional riverine communities, focusing on their perceptions and lived experiences.Methodology/principal findingsA qualitative study was conducted in a riverine community in Tabatinga, Western Brazilian Amazon. Thirty-two purposively selected participants (farmers, fishermen, and students) took part in in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software. After the analysis two main themes emerged: (1) the impacts of Amazonian seasonality on healthcare access, and (2) the dynamics of arrivals and departures along riverbanks. Participants highlighted health challenges tied to seasonal extremes, including water and food insecurity, financial vulnerability, spikes in gastrointestinal diseases, increased accidents with aquatic or wild animals, river pollution, and higher drowning rates. They also noted births and deaths occurring along riverbanks during extreme events. Most respondents perceived that extreme weather events, especially severe droughts, have intensified over the past decade, worsening health and food/water security and further restricting healthcare access.Conclusions/significanceIn this scenario, riverine communities are highly vulnerable to climate change, as existing health challenges are compounded by escalating climatic crises. Tailored healthcare solutions, including telemedicine platforms, mobile clinics, and resilient transportation networks, are urgently needed. Investments in communication infrastructure and emergency air transportation are critical as riverine navigation becomes increasingly unreliable.

In the Brazilian Amazon, approximately 900,000 people live along riverbanks, relying on the biome for survival and livelihoods. Severe droughts and flooding events, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon and human-driven actions such as deforestation and fires, exacerbate the isolation of traditional communities. This isolation limits access to essential healthcare services and worsens existing health inequalities among vulnerable populations. This study investigates how extreme climatic events impact health and healthcare access in traditional riverine communities, focusing on their perceptions and lived experiences. A qualitative study was conducted in a riverine community in Tabatinga, Western Brazilian Amazon. Thirty-two purposively selected participants (farmers, fishermen, and students) took part in in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software. After the analysis two main themes emerged: (1) the impacts of Amazonian seasonality on healthcare access, and (2) the dynamics of arrivals and departures along riverbanks. Participants highlighted health challenges tied to seasonal extremes, including water and food insecurity, financial vulnerability, spikes in gastrointestinal diseases, increased accidents with aquatic or wild animals, river pollution, and higher drowning rates. They also noted births and deaths occurring along riverbanks during extreme events. Most respondents perceived that extreme weather events, especially severe droughts, have intensified over the past decade, worsening health and food/water security and further restricting healthcare access. In this scenario, riverine communities are highly vulnerable to climate change, as existing health challenges are compounded by escalating climatic crises. Tailored healthcare solutions, including telemedicine platforms, mobile clinics, and resilient transportation networks, are urgently needed. Investments in communication infrastructure and emergency air transportation are critical as riverine navigation becomes increasingly unreliable.

This study presents the level of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution in the transboundary Ile River in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024. PCB contamination of water, as well as the presence of a large number of individual congeners, including strictly controlled ‘marker’ and dioxin-like congeners, were detected along the entire length of the river within Kazakhstan. Water samples were analyzed using a Chromos GH-1000 gas chromatograph. Significant interannual variability of river water contamination and a noticeable decrease in 2023 and 2024 compared to the previous periods have been identified. The study examined the PCB concentration transformation in the Ile River, from the transboundary section to the river’s confluence with Lake Balkhash, assessing not only fluctuations in total PCB concentration, but also their congener composition. The main natural and anthropogenic PCB sources and factors causing the transformation of the toxicant along the river course were identified. The total amount of transboundary PCB discharge both into Kazakhstan and into Lake Balkhash was calculated. The results can be used by state and local environmental protection agencies for the development of measures to protect rivers from pollution by these highly toxic pollutants, which is in line with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

Dynamic distribution characteristics and ecological risks of antibiotics in typical subtropical tidal river.

Pollution from mine tailings affects water quality in several Norwegian rivers, yet its cause-and-effect relationship with riverine biodiversity remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap hinders ecological assessment of environmental conditions, leaving biodiversity and ecosystem functioning insufficiently protected. This study, conducted in the Folla River catchment in Innlandet County, Norway, examines the impacts of historical pyrite mining on riverine macroinvertebrates. Mine-tailings pollution enters the Folla through both point and diffuse pathways, introducing a harmful mixture of substances, including sulfuric acid and heavy metals such as copper, zinc, and cadmium. To assess species-specific tolerance to these pollutants, laboratory exposure studies were conducted to evaluate the survival of nine macroinvertebrate species that were exposed to varying levels of contaminated water collected from Folla. The species studied included Baetis rhodani, Ameletus inopinatus, Heptagenia dalecarlica, Ephemerella mucronata, and Ephemerella aurivillii (Ephemeroptera); Diura nanseni and Leuctra hippopus (Plecoptera); and Rhyacophila nubila and Micrasema setiferum (Trichoptera). To investigate cause-and-effect relationships at river sites, tolerance values derived from the exposure studies were applied to assess macroinvertebrate community composition along a pollution gradient in Folla. The results of this study revealed significant species-specific differences in tolerance to pollution, with the ephemeropterans exhibiting the strongest negative responses. Incorporating species-specific tolerance attributes into a Tolerance Index for bioassessment yielded promising results, with a strong linear relationship along the pollution gradient (R2 = 0.89, P ≤ 0.001). The Tolerance Index outperformed the River Acidification Macroinvertebrate Index (R2 = 0.43, P = 0.024) and Average Score Per Taxon (R2 &lt; 0.1, P = 0.332), which are commonly used but not specifically designed for mine tailings pollution. Although this study focused on a limited number of species, the findings highlight the potential for refining bioassessment tools to enhance the usefulness of macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of mine-tailings pollution in Norwegian rivers.

This study is motivated by the pollution of the Siak River in Pekanbaru City, caused by the large amount of waste in the Siak River Basin (DAS) and frequent flooding due to high rainfall and inadequate water retention capacity. Additionally, the low public awareness of maintaining river cleanliness poses a challenge for the government. To address this issue, the government launched the Siak River Basin management program. This study aims to describe and analyze the implementation of the program and identify the inhibiting factors. The method used is qualitative research with the MSN approach (Mentality, System, and Networking). Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results indicate that the program’s implementation has not been optimal due to several obstacles, including limited budget, inadequate land availability, low public awareness, ineffective socialization, and poor coordination among institutions. This study provides recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Siak River Basin management program.

This study explores the visual representation of river pollution and global warming in advertisements related to natural ecosystems, using Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework. It focuses on how visual signs, such as polluted water, industrial smoke, melting ice, and vulnerable human figures, construct layered meanings that extend beyond their literal appearances. Through denotation, connotation, and myth, these elements convey urgent environmental messages while embedding cultural narratives and emotional appeals. The environmental issues raised in these advertisements not only depict the impact of ecological destruction but also reflect the tension between destructive human activities and the need for ecological balance. Such visualizations demonstrate how visual media play a significant role in shaping public awareness of environmental issues and encouraging changes in attitudes toward the natural world. Using a qualitative descriptive method, this research analyzes selected digital campaigns to understand how advertisements build ecological awareness and construct the myth of restoring harmony between humans and nature, ultimately aiming to strengthen collective responsibility for environmental sustainability.

Realtime fluorescence organic matter indicators for early warning of river pollution sources