KAVALA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY School of Agricultural Technology Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management MSc in Water Resources of the Mediterranean Urban Sprawl Implications on Water Resources (6th presentation) Lecturers: - Dr George D. Bathrellos - Dr Hara D. Skilodimou (Researchers & Part-Time Lecturers in National & Kapodistrian University of Athens Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment)
Surface and ground water quality in urban areas. Water degradation due to human activities.
Water quality The chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the water, define its quality. This condition specify the suitability for a particular purpose (i.e., drinking, swimming or fishing). From: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/scisummaries/wqfaq.pdf
Water-Quality Properties Color Conductivity Dissolved oxygen Electrical conductivity Hardness ph Saline water Suspended sediment Turbidity Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterquality.html
Color The water is not colorless. Pure water a slight blue tint. Highly colored water has significant effects on aquatic life Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/color.html Specific conductance the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. High specific conductance indicates high dissolved-solids (such as salt) concentration Pure water = low specific conductance Sea water = high specific conductance Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html#conductance
Dissolved oxygen As the amount of dissolved oxygen drops below normal levels in water bodies, the aquatic creatures begin to die off. This process called eutrophication. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/dissolvedoxygen.html Electrical conductivity A small amount of ions in a water solution makes it able to conduct electricity. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/electrical-conductivity.html
Hardness The amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water determines its "hardness." ph The ph of water determines the solubility (amount that can be dissolved in the water) and biological availability (amount that can be utilized by aquatic life) of chemical constituents such as nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon) and heavy metals (lead, copper, cadmium, etc.) Saline water Water that is saline contains significant amounts (referred to as "concentrations") of dissolved salts. In this case, the concentration is the amount (by weight) of salt in water, as expressed in "parts per million" (ppm). Sources: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html#hardness USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ph.html USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html#hardness
Suspended sediment Sediment deposition Positive effect: mineral-rich sediment deposited on plains makes excellent farmland Negative effect: shorten the lifespan of dams and reservoirs Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/dsediment.html Turbidity Turbidity is the measure of relative clarity of a liquid. High concentrations of particulate matter affect light penetration and productivity, and habitat quality, and cause lakes to fill in faster. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ turbidity.html
Surface Water Quality Water Quality and urbanization Some effects of urbanization on water quality: Urban runoff Erosion and sedimentation Nutrients Waterborne pathogens Pesticides Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ urbanquality.html
Urban Runoff The urbanization of a watershed result the replacement of natural vegetation by impervious surfaces, thus the area, where infiltration to ground water can occur reduce. So, much more water arrives into a stream much more quickly, resulting in an increased likelihood of flooding. Storm sewers carry storm runoff from buildings and roads eventually into streams. Sewer overflows occur during storms when there is more storm water flowing. The excess runoff flushes human and industrial wastes, oil, toxic metals, pesticides, and litter into streams. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ runoff.html USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ urbansed.html,
Erosion and sedimentation Eroded soil from constructions sites is carried to streams and lakes where it causes: 1.Excess turbidity that harms aquatic life, increases water-treatment costs, and makes the water less useful for recreation 2.sedimentation that clogs drainage ditches, stream channels, water reservoirs, and destroys aquatic habitats. Storm sewer and sewer overflows during storms can carry excess sediment into streams. Sediment can: carry chemical pollutants, lower the amount of light into the stream water, make problems to drinking water supply system. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ urbansed.html
Nutrients Nutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus are utilized for plant and animal growth. Nitrogen Source Ammonia and organic nitrogen can enter water through sewage. Excess Nitrogen Harm the water: can occur eutropication leading to a decrease in animal and plant diversity Harm the people: too much nitrogen, as nitrate, in drinking water can be harmful to young infants Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ nitrogen.html
Phosphorus Source: Phosphorus gets into water from urban activities as is a common constituent of organic wastes in sewage Excess Phosphorus: can speed up eutrophication of rivers and lakes and harm the water bodies. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ phosphorus.html
Waterborne pathogens Waterborne pathogens are disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that are transmitted to people when they consume untreated or inadequately treated water. The consumption of two protozoans (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) can lead to severe problems of the digestive system, which can be life-threatening to the very young, very old, or those with damaged immune systems. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ urbanpath.html
Pesticides Pesticides are chemical and biological substances intended to control pests, such as insects, weeds, bacteria, and algae. Source: are used in urban areas, the main usage is on residential and commercial properties. Harm: When storms hit, the runoff from yards and roadsides carry pesticides into local streams, where they may harm aquatic life and enter drinking-water supply system. Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ urbanpest.html
Surface Water Standards Environmental quality standards applicable to surface water The priority substances are defined by Directive 2000/60/EC (the Water Framework Directive) which establishes a list of 33 priority substances including cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel and its compounds, benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Twenty priority substances are classed as hazardous. Source:http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/water_protection_management/l28180_en.htm
Surface Water Standards Environmental quality standards applicable to surface water The Commission establishes environmental quality standards so as to limit the quantity of certain chemical substances that pose a significant risk to the environment and to health in surface water in the European Union (EU). ACT Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy Source:http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/water_protection_management/l28180_en.htm
Standards 1.the average value or concentration of the substance concerned calculated over a one-year period. The purpose of this standard is to ensure the long-term quality of the aquatic environment; 2.the maximum allowable concentration of the substance measured specifically. The purpose of this second standard is to limit short-term pollution peaks. The quality standards are differentiated for inland surface waters (rivers and lakes) and other surface waters (transitional, coastal and territorial waters). Source: USGS, 2012 Water Quality. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ urbanpest.html
Surface Water Quality in Greece The surface waters quality in the mainland of Greece is in general terms satisfactory. Some of rivers and lakes are polluted from urban and industrial liquid and solid waste and agricultural wastewater (fertilizers and pesticides) The main pollutants of rivers, lakes and wetlands are nitrogen fertilizers, nitrates, pesticides, phosphorous and organic discharges Source: National Centre for the Environment and Sustainable Development. 2008. Greece- The State of theenvironment-2008, Athens (www.ekpaa.gr)
Examples: Surface Water Quality of Macedonia A large spatial and temporal variability in dissolved oxygen was identified related to seasonal effects and anthropogenic activities (waste). A large variability for both nitrogen and phosphorus was found among different sites. The major factors influencing are: agricultural, urban and industrial waste water. Source: Voutsa, D., E.Manoli, C. Samara, N.Sofoniou, and I. Stratis. 2001.A study of surface water quality in Macedonia, Greece: Speciation of nitrogen and phosphorus. Water, Air & Soil Pollution 129:13-32.
Nitrogen loads: Axios > Strymon > Aliakmon >Loudias, Axios contributing 45% of the total. Phosphorus loads: Axios > Aliakmon > Loudias>Stymon, Axios contributing 60% of the total Excess were observed for Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb in some cases. Source: Voutsa, D., E.Manoli, C. Samara, N.Sofoniou, and I. Stratis. 2001.A study of surface water quality in Macedonia, Greece: Speciation of nitrogen and phosphorus. Water, Air & Soil Pollution 129:13-32. Simeonov, V., J.A. Stratis, C Samara, G. Zachariadis, D. Voutsa, A. Anthemidis, M. Sofoniou, and Th. Kouimtzis.2003. Assessment of surface water quality in Northern Greece. Water Research 37:4119-4124. Mattas, C., G. Soulios, A. Panagopoulos, K. Voudouris, and A. Panoras. 2007. Hydrochemical characteristics of the Gallikos river water, prefecture of Kilikis, Greece. Global Nest Journal 9:251-258.
Surface Water Quality in Epirus The nitrate and nitrite concentrations were found below the levels established for potable water. The phosphate content was much higher than the upper limiting criteria for eutrophication. The inorganic nutrient load was mostly attributed to sites that drain agricultural areas, especially during winter and spring. The organic matter was due to urban activities during autumn. Source: Kotti M., Vlessidis A., Thanasoulias N., Evmiridis N 2005. Assessment of River Water Quality in Northwestern Greece. Water Resources Management, 19: 77 94
Surface Water Quality Thessaly The water pollution is generated by industrial and domestic waste water and diffuse agricultural runoff. The increasing trend in the concentrations of ph, chloride, and mercury is quite alarming indicating an increase of industrial water pollution probably from unsupervised industrial waste water outflows. Source: Loukas A. 2010. Surface water quantity and quality assessment in Pinios River, Thessaly, Greece. Desalination Volume 250, Issue 1 2010 266 273.
Surface Water Quality in Sterea Ellada Chromium concentrations were determined in the urban water supply of Oropos (up to 80 μg/l) and Inofyta (up to 35 μg/l). High As (up to 34 μg/l) and Cr(VI) (up to 40 μg/l) were detected in the urban water supply of Schimatari. In the Asopos River, the values of toxic elements suggest a connection with the industrial activity in the area. Source: Vasilatos Ch., Ifigenia Megremi If., Economou-Eliopoulos M. & Mitsis I. Hexavalent chromium and other toxic elements in natural waters in the Thiva Tanagra Malakasa Basin, Greece. Hellenic Journal of Geosciences, vol. 43, 57-66
Surface Water Quality in Lakes Some lakes such as Vestonis, Vegoritis, Ag. Vasilisos (Koronia), Doirani, Kastoria, and Pamvotis are having pollution problems due to anthropogenic activity in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, organic matter and untreated sewage. Source: Konstantinou,I.K., D.G. Hela, and T. Albanis. 2006. The status of pesticide pollution in surface waters (rivers and lakes) of Greece. Part I. Review on occurrence and levels. Environmental Pollution141:555-570.