Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China
The impact of the operation of inter-basin water diversion projects on the integrity and stability of regional ecosystems cannot be ignored. In this study, water quality samplings were conducted monthly at 16 national monitoring sites in the mid-downstream of the Hanjiang River (HJR, the downstream...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1159187/full |
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| author | Xizhi Nong Xizhi Nong Xianjie Yi Lihua Chen Dongguo Shao Chi Zhang |
| author_facet | Xizhi Nong Xizhi Nong Xianjie Yi Lihua Chen Dongguo Shao Chi Zhang |
| author_sort | Xizhi Nong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impact of the operation of inter-basin water diversion projects on the integrity and stability of regional ecosystems cannot be ignored. In this study, water quality samplings were conducted monthly at 16 national monitoring sites in the mid-downstream of the Hanjiang River (HJR, the downstream of the water source of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China) over 3 years, covering seven physiochemical water quality indicators and six heavy metal elements. The water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistical techniques were introduced to comprehensively evaluate water quality status and understand the corresponding driving factors of water quality variations. The heavy metal risks were evaluated using the Nemerow Pollution Index (Pn), the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), and the human health risk assessment model. The results showed that after the operation of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China (MRSNWDPC), water quality in the mid-downstream of the HJR was generally at a “good” status, with the average WQI of 86.37, showing no water quality deterioration trends. The operation of the MRSNWDPC did significantly decrease the monthly flow in the HJR by about 4.05–74.27%, and the flow variation processes also became more stable than before. Most water quality indicators and WQIs have no correlations with the flow and water level changes. The human health risks of all heavy metal elements caused by dermal exposure and ingestion pathways increased over time. The average individual health risk caused by carcinogenic heavy metal Cr was the highest. Chromium is the major carcinogenic factor and should be a critical indicator to pay special attention to for water risk management in the HJR. This study provides a scientific reference for the water quality safety management of HJR under the influence of a water diversion project. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:30:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-55d5b83d2b4041919ea49f0b993f409e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:30:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-55d5b83d2b4041919ea49f0b993f409e2023-04-18T05:26:52ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2023-04-011110.3389/fevo.2023.11591871159187Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, ChinaXizhi Nong0Xizhi Nong1Xianjie Yi2Lihua Chen3Dongguo Shao4Chi Zhang5College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, ChinaThe impact of the operation of inter-basin water diversion projects on the integrity and stability of regional ecosystems cannot be ignored. In this study, water quality samplings were conducted monthly at 16 national monitoring sites in the mid-downstream of the Hanjiang River (HJR, the downstream of the water source of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China) over 3 years, covering seven physiochemical water quality indicators and six heavy metal elements. The water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistical techniques were introduced to comprehensively evaluate water quality status and understand the corresponding driving factors of water quality variations. The heavy metal risks were evaluated using the Nemerow Pollution Index (Pn), the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), and the human health risk assessment model. The results showed that after the operation of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China (MRSNWDPC), water quality in the mid-downstream of the HJR was generally at a “good” status, with the average WQI of 86.37, showing no water quality deterioration trends. The operation of the MRSNWDPC did significantly decrease the monthly flow in the HJR by about 4.05–74.27%, and the flow variation processes also became more stable than before. Most water quality indicators and WQIs have no correlations with the flow and water level changes. The human health risks of all heavy metal elements caused by dermal exposure and ingestion pathways increased over time. The average individual health risk caused by carcinogenic heavy metal Cr was the highest. Chromium is the major carcinogenic factor and should be a critical indicator to pay special attention to for water risk management in the HJR. This study provides a scientific reference for the water quality safety management of HJR under the influence of a water diversion project.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1159187/fullwater quality variationhealth risk assessmentheavy metal pollutionHanjiang Rivermultivariate statistical techniques |
| spellingShingle | Xizhi Nong Xizhi Nong Xianjie Yi Lihua Chen Dongguo Shao Chi Zhang Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution water quality variation health risk assessment heavy metal pollution Hanjiang River multivariate statistical techniques |
| title | Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China |
| title_full | Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China |
| title_fullStr | Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China |
| title_short | Impact of inter-basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of Hanjiang River, China |
| title_sort | impact of inter basin water diversion project operation on water quality variations of hanjiang river china |
| topic | water quality variation health risk assessment heavy metal pollution Hanjiang River multivariate statistical techniques |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1159187/full |
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