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Effects of change in streamflow patterns on water quality
Rupesh Patil1, Yongping Wei1, David Pullar1
1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
Journal of Environmental Management
|October 30, 2021
Summary
Altered streamflow patterns significantly impact water quality, increasing pollutants and decreasing dissolved oxygen. Managing river flows is crucial for environmental health and water quality improvement.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Water Quality Management
Background:
- Streamflow patterns and water quality are interconnected but often studied in isolation.
- River regulation and flow diversion effects on water quality due to altered streamflow are under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the impact of changing streamflow patterns on key water quality indicators.
- To analyze effects under various river regulation, flow diversion, and rainfall scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a generalized additive model for analysis.
- Selected the Goulburn-Broken catchment in Australia as the case study area.
Main Results:
- Pollutants and nutrient concentrations rose by 38%, while dissolved oxygen and nitrogen (kjeldahl) fell by 35% (1990-2018).
- Low/medium flows increased by 20%, high/overbank flows decreased by 22%, and rainfall declined by 15%.
- Climate change, regulation, and diversion scenarios projected a 19% rise in pollutants, nutrients, and salinity.
Conclusions:
- Restoring high flows could reduce pollutant concentrations by 28% but may lower dissolved oxygen, nitrogen (kjeldahl), and pH.
- Adjusting low, medium, and high flow regimes is recommended for enhancing stream water quality.
- Findings have significant implications for environmental flow management strategies.
Keywords:
Environmental flowsGeneralized additive modelRegulation rulesStrategy reformsStream water qualityStreamflow patternsMore Related Videos
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