Large-scale monitoring and assessment of metal contamination in surface water of the Selenga River Basin (2007–2009)

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 2856 - 2867
• Main Authors: Nadmitov, Bulat, Hong, Seongjin, In Kang, Sang, Chu, Jang Min, Gomboev, Bair, Janchivdorj, Lunten, Lee, Chang-Hee, Khim, Jong Seong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.02.2015; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic environment; Aquatic Pollution; arsenic; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Chromium; Copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecosystems; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental economics; Environmental hazards; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Monitoring - statistics & numerical data; Geography; guidelines; Heavy metals; iron; manganese; Metal concentrations; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Mining; Mongolia; monitoring; pollution; Pollution abatement; Pollution index; Pollution sources; Research Article; risk; River basins; river water; Rivers; Rivers - chemistry; Russia; Spatial distribution; Surface water; Surveys; Upstream; Waste Water Technology; wastewater; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water pollution; Water Pollution Control; Water Pollution, Chemical - prevention & control; Water quality; Water Quality - standards; Water treatment; watersheds; zinc; Mongolia; Russia; South Korea; Selenga River; Lake Baikal; Mining area; Selenga River Basin; Water quality guideline; Industrial area; Pollution index; Metals
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3564-6

An extensive and year-round survey was conducted to assess metal pollution in vast watershed areas of the Selenga River Basin (2007–2009), which provided baseline heavy metal database for the future management. Sources and environmental hazard and risk indices associated with metal pollution were evidenced across the countries of Mongolia and Russia (Buryatia Republic). In general, the concentrations of heavy metals in river water of Mongolia were greater than those of Russia, expect for the upstream of the Dzhida River in Russia. The spatial distribution generally indicated that metal pollution in the Selenga River was mainly associated with the activities in the Mongolian upstream regions. Similar pollution sources of metals between river water and wastewater associated with surrounding activities were found across the industrial and mining areas. Compositional patterns of metals suggested their sources were independent of each other, with hot spots in certain sites. Our measurements indicated that about 63 % of the locations surveyed (48 of 76) exceeded the critical heavy metal pollution index of 100, identifying possible harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems through metal pollution. Zinc was found to be the chemical of priority concern, as more than half of the locations exceeded the corresponding water quality guideline. Other metals including Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, and As might be problematic in the Selenga River Basin considering the occurrence and their concentrations. Results of our extensive survey during the period of 3 years indicated that urgent action would be necessary in timely manner to improve water quality and mitigate the impact of heavy metals on aquatic environment of the Selenga River Basin.