Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 942 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tibby ◽  
J. Richards ◽  
J. J. Tyler ◽  
C. Barr ◽  
J. Fluin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guideline ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Water Quality Guideline

Water quality guidelines are an important tool that guide stream protection. In South Australia, as in other Australian states, guidelines have been set using statistical properties of physical and chemical stressors in reference streams. Given that water quality guidelines are designed to protect ecosystems, biologically based guidelines are more desirable. In this context, we investigated diatom–water quality relationships in South Australian streams. Our analysis focused on electrical conductivity (EC) and total phosphorus (TP), which explained significant variance in diatom assemblages. Threshold indicator taxa analysis was conducted to determine thresholds of diatom community change along EC and TP gradients. There were significant declines in the relative abundance of sensitive species at an EC of ~280μScm–1 and a TP concentration of 30μgL–1. The TP threshold is considerably lower than the trigger value in South Australia’s guidelines (100μgTPL–1). The change in species composition in relation to EC is considerably lower than the upper limit of the water quality guidelines (which range from 100 to 5000μScm–1). Hence, particularly in the case of TP, but also for EC, the current water quality guideline trigger values are too high in South Australia, and indeed in other temperate Australian states.

Acceptability of aquatic toxicity data for the derivation of water quality guidelines for metals

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Batley ◽  
S. C. Apte ◽  
J. L. Stauber
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Natural Waters ◽  
Aquatic Toxicity ◽  
Toxicity Testing ◽  
Toxicity Data ◽  
Toxic Response ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Organic Complexation ◽  
Physical And Chemical

The requirement for appropriate quality assurance and quality control in scientific measurements makes it essential that the results of toxicity testing be acceptable from both a chemical and a biological perspective. Whereas biological aspects have generally been satisfactorily addressed, this has not always been so with respect to chemistry. This paper reviews the areas where toxicity testing protocols for metals in natural waters can be deficient. These begin with the choice of test container, and include both physical and chemical aspects of metal–organism interactions that may alter both the bioavailable concentration and the toxic response. The need to consider speciation is emphasized, including the effects of organic complexation, pH, hardness and alkalinity, especially with high metal concentrations and high pH values. The difficulties in using uncensored toxicity data from the literature for the development of water quality guidelines are discussed.

scholarly journals Challenges and future prospects for developing Ca and Mg water quality guidelines: a meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 374 (1764) ◽  
pp. 20180364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Bogart ◽  
Ali Azizishirazi ◽  
Greg G. Pyle
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Major Ions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Water Hardness ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Toxicological Studies

Anthropogenic activities have the potential to increase water hardness (Ca + Mg) in receiving waters to toxic concentrations, and thus, water quality guidelines (WQG) for Ca and Mg are warranted. However, Ca can modify Mg toxicity in Ca-poor water and additional interactions with other major ions (Na + , K + , HCO 3 − /CO 3 2− , SO 4 2− and Cl − ) may occur, potentially obscuring the water hardness–effect relationship. In a meta-analysis of toxicological studies, we: (i) evaluate the performance of three WQG derivation methods, and (ii) determine the influence of several variables (acute/chronic data, anions, Ca:Mg ratios, non-geographically relevant species) on the models. We find that the most sensitive species- or species sensitivity distribution (SSD)-based WQG derivation methods greatly overestimate water hardness toxicity, particularly if non-resident species are included. Broad-scale implementation of most sensitive species- or SSD-based WQG is impractical because water hardness varies beyond and within the regional scale. Anion type does not affect water hardness toxicity across species, but the Ca : Mg ratio is toxicologically relevant, underscoring the importance of considering ion ratios when developing major ion WQG. Although data supporting formal water hardness WQG are unavailable, we suggest using a two-component background condition approach that supports simultaneous management of water hardness and Ca : Mg ratio, and WQG that are applicable beyond the regional scale. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects’.

Road Salt Impacts Freshwater Zooplankton at Concentrations below Current Water Quality Guidelines

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (15) ◽  
pp. 9398-9407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley E. Arnott ◽  
Martha P. Celis-Salgado ◽  
Robin E. Valleau ◽  
Anna M. DeSellas ◽  
Andrew M. Paterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Road Salt ◽  
Freshwater Zooplankton ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Current Water

Marine water quality management in South Africa

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
Susan Taljaard ◽  
Willem A. M. Botes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Information Requirements ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Beneficial Uses

In South Africa the ultimate goal in water quality management is to keep the water resources suitable for all “beneficial uses”. Beneficial uses provides a basis for the derivation of water quality guidelines, which, for South Africa, are defined in Water quality guidelines for the South African coastal zone (DWAF, 1991). The CSIR has developed a practical approach to marine water quality management, taking into account international trends and local experience, which can be applied to any coastal development with potential influence on water quality. The management plan is divided into three logical components, i.e. • site-specific statutory requirements and environmental objectives; • system design with specific reference to influences on water quality; and • monitoring programmes. Within this management approach water quality issues are addressed in a holistic manner, through focused procedures and clear identification of information requirements. This paper describes the procedures and information requirements within each component of the water quality management plan, with specific reference to marine disposal systems. Ideally, the management plan should be implemented from the feasibility and conceptual design phase of a development and the timing of the different procedures within the development process are therefore also highlighted. However, the logical lay-out of procedures allows for easy initiation (even to existing disposal system) at any stage of development.

scholarly journals An evaluation of water quality at Sandhill Wetland: implications for reclaiming wetlands above soft tailings deposits in northern Alberta, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy A. Hartsock ◽  
Jessica Piercey ◽  
Melissa K. House ◽  
Dale H. Vitt
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Total Alkalinity ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Annual Water

AbstractThe experimental Sandhill Wetland is the first permanent reclamation of a composite tailings deposit, and annual water quality monitoring is of specific interest for evaluating and predicting long-term reclamation performance. Here, we present water chemistry monitoring data obtained from Sandhill Wetland (years 2009–2019) and compare results to twelve natural reference wetlands and to environmental quality guidelines for Alberta surface waters. By comparing water quality at Sandhill Wetland and natural sites to established guidelines, we can begin to document the natural background water quality of wetlands in the region and examine if guideline exceedances are seen in natural undisturbed environments, or appear only at active reclamation sites. At Sandhill Wetland the dominant ions in near-surface water were bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Since the first growing season concentrations for these ions have increased annually, causing concurrent increases in electrical conductivity. In year 2019, water chemistry at Sandhill Wetland was most comparable to regional saline fens, systems that exhibit elevated electrical conductivity and high sodicity. Near-surface water at Sandhill Wetland exceeded water quality guidelines for three substances/properties (dissolved chloride, iron, and total alkalinity) in the most recent year of monitoring. The saline fen natural sites also exceeded water quality guidelines for the same chemical substances/properties, suggesting guideline exceedances are a norm for some natural wetland site types in the region. Of note, in each year of monitoring at Sandhill Wetland, dissolved organic compounds evaluated in sub- and near-surface water were below detection limits.

New generation water quality guidelines for ecosystem protection

1999 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry T. Hart ◽  
Bill Maher ◽  
Ian Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Ecosystem Protection ◽  
New Generation

scholarly journals Water quality guidelines for chemicals: learning lessons to deliver meaningful environmental metrics

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Merrington ◽  
Youn-Joo An ◽  
Eric P. M. Grist ◽  
Seung-Woo Jeong ◽  
Chuthamat Rattikansukha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines
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