Mass balance approach for assessment of pollution load in the Krishna River.
River Krishna in the Southern Peninsula of India is a typical receiving water body of both point and non-point discharges. Comparisons between upstream and downstream monitoring sites reveal changes in the concentrations and load to the river. This information is used to discriminate between point and non-point source contribution to pollution. The pre-monsoon and post-monsoon water quality and flow data are used to assess river pollution loads. The resulting differential loads, if adjusted for uncharacterized non-point source contribution may represent the total point loads to the river minus losses due to volatilization, sedimentation, adsorption and other physical, chemical and biological phenomena. The results of the mass balances indicate that non-point sources to be major contributors to the pollutant loads. The non-point sources in the study area predominantly include pollution due to agricultural practices and activities, soil erosion, dissolution of soil minerals or combination of these sources.
Sekhar
Chandra
C
Department of Civil Engineering, Water & Environment Division, National Institute of Technology Warangal, India.
Umamahesh
N V
NV
D000383:Agriculture; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007194:India; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011891:Rain; D045483:Rivers; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014872:Water Movements; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants