River discharge, land use change, and surface water quality in the Xiangjiang River, China

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.9938
• Publication Date: 2013-06-14T09:13:19Z
• Authors: Zhao Zhang; Yi Chen; Pin Wang; Jiabing Shuai; Fulu Tao; Peijun Shi
• Keywords: Impervious surface

Abstract To compare the impacts of river discharge on surface water quality Xiangjiang River in China, 12 parameters recorded at 31 sampling sites from January 1998 to December 2008 along and its main tributaries were analyzed. Significantly higher concentrations total nitrogen, ammoniacal phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand observed during low‐flow periods than high‐flow periods, implying a risk local residents drinking untreated periods. Pollution indexes, including inorganic pollution index integrated (IPI), negatively related impervious area (ISA) cropland (CLA) when ISA was less 160 (3000) km 2 . However, relationship positive larger , which provided reasonable explanation for spatial patterns quality. Distinct increasing temporal trends two kinds indexes also found. The annual significantly rapid degradation 2008, with correlation coefficient ( r ) values 0.816 p = 0.002) 0.711 0.014) organic (OPI) IPI, respectively. rainfall correlated 0.785 0.448 0.093) OPI Our study highlights that decision makers should be more aware recent increases River, especially downriver Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.