Routine Water Samples Research Articles

Saturated buffers: Improvements and issues.

Saturated buffers are a newly developed agricultural best management practice used to redirect tile flow away from waterways, thereby mitigating nutrient losses and downstream eutrophication. This study evaluated the potential benefits of a novel saturated buffer design, which included pitchfork-shaped (PF) dispersion lines and a backflow check valve, that was installed alongside a traditional or standard (ST) buffer on a field in Moultrie County, Illinois, in the spring of 2019. Daily flow measurements and routine water samples were used to monitor the movement of water through both buffers and estimate nutrient loads. During observation days in 2020 and 2021, the PF buffer diverted 35% and 1.9% of incoming tile flow, respectively, while the ST buffer increased effluent rates by 116% and 137% over the same period. Both the PF and ST buffers experienced backflow from 30% to 47% of the monitoring period, well above the often reported 5%. Ultimately, the efficacy of saturated buffers could be improved with minimal, low-cost additions to their designs. Check valves are a simple supplement to saturated buffer design that can enhance flow diversion and potential nutrient removal. Added dispersion lines provide more opportunity for diversion of tile flow; however, they require more land to be removed from agricultural production and could increase backflow volumes, so the costs and benefits should be weighed.

Iron oxide xerogels for improved water quality monitoring of arsenic(III) in resource-limited environments via solid-phase extraction, preservation, storage, transportation, and analysis of trace contaminants (SEPSTAT).

Arsenic is a widespread trace groundwater contaminant that presents a range of health risks and has an acceptable level of only 10 μg L-1 in drinking water. However, in many countries arsenic quantification in water is limited to centralized laboratories because it requires the use of elemental analysis techniques with high capital cost. As a result, routine water samples are frequently not tested for trace contaminants such as arsenic. In order to facilitate improved arsenic monitoring, we present the use of iron oxide xerogels for adsorption of arsenic(iii) from water samples at neutral pH, dry storage for over 120 days, and desorption of stored arsenic at elevated pH. Iron oxide xerogels offer high surface area (340 m2 g-1) and an As(iii) adsorption capacity of 165 mg g-1. Using an extraction solution of 100 mM sodium hydroxide and 1 mM sodium phosphate, As(iii) is reliably eluted from iron oxide xerogels for initial As(iii) concentrations from 10 μg L-1 to 1000 μg L-1, with a calculated detection limit of less than 4 μg L-1 and less than 17% difference in recovered As(iii) between test solutions with low and high interfering ion concentrations. By demonstrating the ability for iron oxide xerogels to reliably adsorb, store, and release arsenic, we enable the development of protocols for solid-phase extraction, preservation, storage, transportation, and analysis of trace contaminants (SEPSTAT), where arsenic would be adsorbed from water samples onto xerogel-based sorbents and shipped to centralized laboratories for recovery and quantification.

Association between exposure to drinking water disinfection byproducts and adverse pregnancy outcomes in South Africa

Abstract Currently, there is contradictory evidence for the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal exposure to disinfection byproducts (DBPs). We examine the association between maternal exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including premature birth, low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). In total, 1,167 women older than 18 years were enrolled at public antenatal venues in two geographical districts. For each district, we measured the levels of residential drinking water DBPs (measured in THMs) through regulatory data and routine water sampling. We estimated the individual uptake of water of each woman by combining individual water use and uptake factors. Increased daily internal dose of total THMs during the third trimester of pregnancy significantly increased the risk of delivering premature infants (AOR 3.13, 95% CI 1.36–7.17). The risk of premature birth was also positiviely associated with exposure to total THMs during the whole pregnancy (AOR 2.89, 95% CI 1.25–6.68). The risk of delivering an SGA and LBW infant was not associated with maternal exposure to THMs. Our findings suggest that exposure to THMs is associated with certain negative pregnancy outcomes. The levels of THMs in water should be routinely monitored.

High structural and molecular parameter diversity among chemicals with similar log P and log Koc values

Chemicals possessing persistence (P) and high mobility (M) can present a hazard to drinking water resources by traversing natural barriers like riverbanks and artificial barriers found in water treatment plants. If the chemical is also toxic (T), i.e. classifiable as a PMT, the agent might be of particular concern as a potential drinking water contaminant. During routine water sampling, detection and quantitation of polar substances with high mobility can be problematic. The German Environment Agency (UBA) is considering the use of the Log Koc value as a proxy for mobility (M). Log Koc is related to Log P by the equation Log Koc = 0.69 Log P + 0.22. In this study, we demonstrate that chemicals with log P values at or very close to 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 (and their concomitant log Koc values) can vary significantly in their chemical structures, molecular weights, molar volumes, and calculated molar refractivity (CMR), which is related to the mean polarizability of a molecule. The large degree of potential diversity in chemical structure and molecular parameters related to chemical behavior at a particular log P or log Koc value suggests that log Koc might not contain enough information to function as a standalone surrogate for the mobility (M) of a chemical, i.e. as related to its ability to move from a drinking water resource through the water plant purification process.

Development of a TaqMan qPCR assay for detection of Alexandrium spp and application to harmful algal bloom monitoring.

The Genus Alexandrium is a widespread dinoflagellate marine phytoplankton that is the primary causative organism causing Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) intoxications in European waters. EU food safety directives specify that EU Member States must implement a routine monitoring programme to mitigate risks associated with bio-accumulation of biotoxins by bivalve shellfish, such as those produced by Alexandrium. This strategic drive comprises of both direct testing of bivalve flesh for the presence of regulated toxins and an early warning phytoplankton monitoring programme. In the UK the flesh testing moved away from animal bio-assays to analytical chemistry techniques, whereas phytoplankton monitoring methods have seen little technological advancement since implementation. Methods currently utilize light microscopy and manual enumeration of different algal species. These methods although proven are time consuming, reliant on highly trained staff, have high limits of detection (LOD) with low specificity, unable to reliably identify Alexandrium to species level. The implications of these limitations of the techniques mean that in the case of Alexandrium the LOD is also the action limit and as such it is easy to miss positive samples affecting the efficacy of any early warning strategy. This study outlines the development, preliminary method characterisation, validation and trial implementation of an alternative early warning technique, utilizing quantitative PCR to identify water samples containing Alexandrium cells. The approach outlined in this document, showed an improved correlation with flesh toxicity, improved sensitivity, improved throughput compared to traditional light microscopy methods and there was also good correlation with higher cell abundance samples when compared to the light microscopy results. The application of this approach to routine water samples was explored and was found to demonstrate potential as a corroborative method for use during flesh intoxication episodes. This study offers potential for future improvements in the accuracy and sensitivity of phytoplankton monitoring whilst ensuring continuity of public safety, providing cost savings and offering new research opportunities.

Environmental surveillance of Legionella spp. colonization in the water system of a large academic hospital: Analysis of the four–year results on the effectiveness of the chlorine dioxide disinfection method

The prevention of Legionella colonization of water systems is one of the goals of hospital management. Among chemical disinfection methods, chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has been largely used to control Legionella spp. in water systems.We performed a retrospective study to analyse data deriving from the surveillance plan of the water system in a large academic hospital in Rome (Italy) during the period August 2011 and August 2018. We collected the data deriving from the routine water samples used to monitor Legionella spp. colonization. Data from the water samples collected from 163 selected sampling points (hot water tanks, the return loop and distal outlets) was analysed using a life table analysis in order to investigate the duration of the effectiveness of the ClO2 method in eradicating Legionella spp. The colonization of the water sample by Legionella spp. was considered as the outcome. Our results show that in 81,59% of the sampling points Legionella spp. were never detected at four years of follow up. Chemical and physical characteristics of the water were also compared between the samples which were positive for Legionella spp. and those which were not. No association was found between these factors.The knowledge of the duration over time of the effectiveness of the ClO2 disinfection method could support decision-making processes in the framework of Risk Management activities in hospitals.Future studies could also be conducted in hospitals to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of different Legionella spp. colonization prevention methods.

Analysis Of Groundwater Quality In Industrial Of Bekasi Regency And Residential Of Bekasi City, West Java, Indonesia

This study aims to determine the quality of industrial groundwater in Bekasi Regency and groundwater residential in the City of Bekasi. Groundwater quality was analyzed based on measurements of pH water samples, Total Disolved Solids (TDS), Temperature (T), and Electrical Conductivity (EC) using routine water sampling method every day for two months and measurement using multimeter. Average results from residential groundwater sample measurements: pH 8.22, TDS 44.6 ppm, T 30.7 ° C, EC 86.7 μs. Average yields from industrial groundwater sample measurements: pH 8.26, TDS 128.7 ppm, T 31.2 ° C, EC 262.1 μs. Based on the above data can be concluded that the quality of water in the residential and in industrial Zone is still feasible to be consumed, but not feasible to drink. This refers to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia No. 32 Year 2017. Differences in water quality The industrial estate is affected by industrial activities and infrastructure. While in the residential influenced household waste.

Optimizing water quality sampling through application of real time ionic concentration regression models

The Water Resources Management Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation performs routine water sampling to measure the physical and chemical parameters of select water bodies in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ionic concentration parameter measurement is performed during routine water sampling to complement some of the key indicator parameters measured in real time at these select water bodies. The collection, laboratory analysis and measurement of water samples is a time consuming process. Some of the common conducting ions measured during routine sampling are sodium, calcium, chloride and sulphate. These conducting ions can be estimated using continuously measured specific conductance after observing the effect of flow. The estimated measurement will help identify whether any local stressors are affecting the quality of water at a given point in time and hence save time and resources in performing routine sampling. This can also be applied in remote locations where routine sampling is not feasible. This paper compares four water bodies on the island part of Newfoundland and Labrador and estimates the ionic concentration using continuously measured specific conductance.

Effects of climate change on nitrate loads in a large river: the Austrian Danube as example

AbstractUsing long‐term data from 1951 to 2006, a considerable increase in water temperature was observed in the Austrian Danube (approximately 0·1 °C per decade). The mean annual discharge rates remained fairly constant over the years, but the seasonal pattern changed: in the summer, discharge decreased whereas the opposite trend was observed during the winter months.Data from routine water samples taken in approximately monthly intervals (1991–2006) revealed high temperature dependence of nitrate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), intermediate temperature effect on nitrite and low temperature dependence of ammonia.The temperature dependence of nitrate differed between three discharge groups (low, middle and high discharge). It was nearly linear in the low‐discharge group; in the other two discharge groups the decrease of nitrate with increasing temperature was more pronounced, but levelled off at approximately 15 to 20 °C in the middle and high discharge groups.Scenarios assuming increasing mean air temperature of 0·5 and 1·0 °C were calculated for water temperature and air temperature, discharge rates and nitrate loads based on trends detected in the air temperature and discharge data from 1951 to 2006. According to these scenarios, temperatures (both water and air) will continue to increase. The discharge regime of the Danube will be affected by significantly increasing discharge rates in March and significantly decreasing rates for July. The annual mean discharge rate will not be affected. Trends for nitrate loads showed similar tendencies: while annual mean nitrate load does not change with time, the seasonal pattern of nitrate loads is expected to change. Larger amounts of nitrate will be transported downstream in winter, whereas the loads during summer will decrease. The ecological consequences of such shifts are not fully understood. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MATERNAL EXPOSURE TO WATER DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS AND ADVERSE BIRTH, NEONATAL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD OUTCOMES

ISEE-238 Aim: This study forms part of a PhD designed to test the hypothesis that there is a positive association between adverse birth, neonatal and early childhood outcomes and disinfection by-product (DBP) exposure. This registry-based prevalence study specifically explores the association between birth defects and residence in areas supplied with public drinking water containing high trihalomethane (THM) levels. Background: DBPs, which are produced during the disinfection of public water supplies, have been implicated as risk factors for adverse reproductive outcomes. In comparison to other states of Australia, Western Australia (WA) has a higher prevalence of birth defects, and it has been hypothesised that environmental influences (such as variable water quality) may be important in the etiology of these disorders. The water supply to the main metropolitan area, Perth, is known to contain high levels of organic precursor molecules (e.g. fulvic and humic acid from soils) that react with chemical disinfectants to produce DBPs, including trihalomethanes (THMs). Routine water sampling has confirmed that THM levels are high in the residential water supplies for a number of suburbs, with levels often exceeding 100 micrograms/L (considered a high level in some studies). Methods: The numbers of birth defects by suburb were identified for the years 2002–2003 through the Western Australia Birth Defects Registry. This registry has a high degree of completeness and accuracy for birth defects occurring in the Perth metropolitan area. To estimate the DBP exposure in the study population, we obtained recent THM data from several Perth suburbs, recorded during routine surveillance and monitoring. Suburbs were classified as high or low THM exposure, with high THM defined as concentrations exceeding 100 microgams/L. The analysis included calculation of the relative risk of birth defects per woman of reproductive age, resident in areas with high versus low THM levels. Results: Our preliminary data indicate that women of reproductive age, resident in confirmed high THM suburbs are 26% more likely to have a child with a birth defect compared to those resident in the largest low THM suburb. This possible relationship between THM and birth defects requires further investigation.

Sources of variation in post-Chernobyl radiocaesium in brown trout,Salmo truttaL., and Arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus(L.), from six Cumbrian lakes (northwest England)

The objectives were to evaluate temporal variation in 137Cs in trout and charr from Crummock Water, Wastwater, Ennerdale Water, and to compare levels in trout from six lakes (above three + Windermere, Loweswater, Devoke Water) and charr from four lakes (above three + Windermere). Fish were caught between June 1986 and October 1988, chiefly with fyke nets and gill nets. Overall means for 137Cs in trout were markedly higher than those for charr in the three lakes. Values for individual trout exceeded 1000 Bq.kg-1 in Ennerdale and 500 Bq.kg-1 in Wastwater and Crummock Water, but values for charr never exceeded 350 Bq.kg-1. 137Cs content increased with fish weight for trout from Wastwater and therefore values were scaled to a standard weight in subsequent analyses. No similar relationships were found for trout in Ennerdale or Crummock Water, or for charr in all three lakes. Monthly mean values for 137Cs in trout followed similar temporal patterns in the three lakes and a parabola provided a simple model for these changes. Chernobyl deposition occurred early in May 1986 and maximum values in trout were in December 1986 in Wastwater, January/February 1987 in Ennerdale Water and March 1987 in Crummock Water. The exponential rate of decrease from these maxima did not differ significantly between the three lakes, and ecological half-lives of 137Cs in the trout differed slightly, but not significantly, between lakes : 180 days for Wastwater, 194 days for Crummock Water and 249 days for Ennerdale Water. The equivalent value for Ennerdale charr was lower at 132 days, and it was impossible to fit models or calculate half-lives for Wastwater and Crummock charr. Maximum monthly geometric mean 137Cs values in trout from six lakes and charr from four lakes were related to the initial concentration of 137Cs in both water and sediment, and the maximum monthly geometric mean 137Cs values obtained from the routine water samples. The relationship was curvilinear and approximated, but was not identical to, an asymptotic curve. No similar relationships were found with mean Ca or K levels in the lake water. Metabolic and diet differences may explain the lower 137Cs levels in charr compared with trout and differences for the same species from different lakes may be due to limnological variations and différences between lakes in the nature of their sediments and catchment soils. Both points are discussed in detail.

Potential Inaccuracy of Microbiological Counts from Routine Water Samples

The procedures for estimating numbers of organisms in water lead potentially to large inaccuracies. Routine microbiological sampling is an important component of monitoring source waters for drinking supplies and recreational waters. The results should be interpreted with awareness that each result is liable to two sorts of error, even when correct procedures are followed. Firstly, there is sampling error due to variation over time in microbial density at the place of sampling and, secondly, statistical inaccuracies introduced by laboratory methods. Some of the errors can be measured or estimated, especially those in the second category. Pre-dilution of a sample, which is unavoidable with heavily contaminated waters, can affect results by chance. For example, if 10 organisms are found after a 100-fold dilution then the estimated count for the original sample would be 1000 with 95% confidence intervals of 482 - 1834. If a presumptive count is followed up with confirmatory procedures which involve sampling then another imprecision is introduced. For example, if a presumptive colony count of 25 is checked by confirmatory tests on only 5 colonies then, if 4 of the 5 confirm, the 95% confidence for the final count would be 8 - 24. Although statistical confidence intervals from the combination of such laboratory procedures could be calculated they have little practical value and could cause confusion. An investigator who receives a report in the format of an organism count which is qualified by a 95% confidence interval might wrongly attribute that range to the source water. Variation at the water source is usually much greater than the errors introduced by proper laboratory procedures. This sample ‘error' can be estimated only by replicate sampling. All sources of error should be considered when the quality of the water is assessed. Decisions about whether the water meets a particular Standard might be better made, from a statistical point of view, by assessing multiple samples rather than concentrating on single counts from very small volumes of water.

A feasibility study for appraising recreational water quality in a Southeast Asian beach complex

In a case study involving preliminary investigations for the feasibility of a beach resort complex in the west coast of Sarawak, Malaysia, since the acceptable quality of recreational water quality had not been specified, existing international standards and practices were reviewed to arrive at acceptable microbiological and physicochemical parametric levels. Water samples were collected on a weekly basis in the proposed beach complex at Tanjong Batu Coastal Reserve and also along the nearby Sungei Batang Kemena and its estuary. It was ascertained that the swimming water quality was acceptable in terms of faecal Coliforms, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. However E. Coli counts did indicate a potential risk of 1.68% for gastrointestinal illness and the ubiquitous presence of faecal Streptococci pointed to recent pollution of human or animal origin. Besides, grease and oil contents exceeded the WHO Guideline values. It was hence recommended that an appropriate sanitation or pollution survey should be carried out in the adjacent coastal catchment area and the beach. Also routine water sampling should be undertaken. Such action will help to pinpoint sources of pollution and lead to antipollution measures, thus helping to upgrade swimming water quality and establish swimming water quality standards.

A Simplified Statistical Sequence Applied to Routine Water Quality Analysis: A Case History

ABSTRACTA sequence of simple statistical tests was used to interpret the data from a routine water sampling project for a stream that was contaminated with effluent from a sewage treatment plant. The contamination of this stream was apparent from the murky condition of the water and its pungent odor. The outlet of the sewage treatment plant enters the stream at its origin.The chemical variables analysed were Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, nitrates, TDS, and hardness. Background data from other streams in this drainage basin and data from the stream under investigation were subjected to cluster analysis in order to classify the sampled area into geochemical provinces. The contaminated stream under investigation comprised one province and the background streams constituted another province. A linear regression performed on the data showed a statistically significant decrease of several variables with increasing distance from the outlet of the sewage treatment plant. An abrupt decrease in concentration of iron some 450 m below the plant outlet implied the presence of two populations with different means, which was statistically verified with a trimmed t‐test.Use of these simple tests greatly facilitated interpretation of the data.

A two-year survey of bacteriological examinations of water in the western region.

The scope of an examination of the routine water samples from the Western region sent for bacteriological examination is given. The period winter, 1950, to autumn, 1952, is covered.