Assessment of the ecological state within the urban section of the Hrazdan River (Yerevan city) based on hydrochemical indicators
Abstract
The Hrazdan River water quality within the city of Yerevan was assessed by hydrochemical parameters using the Canadian Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) and ecological (regional) standards accepted by the Republic of Armenia for the functioning of ecosystems, fishery, and protection. Hydrochemical observations by 21 indicators were carried out twice a year (in low- and high-water periods) on 8 permanent stations from 2012 to 2018. The river water is classified into 5 quality classes by the water quality index values: high (95‒100), good (80‒94), moderate (60‒79), poor (45‒59) and bad (0‒44).
It is shown that water quality becomes poorer downstream the river: from water quality index values of 41 when entering the city (station Hrw-6), to 37 when flowing out of the city (Hrw-8). Water quality also deteriorated over recent years, from 47 in 2012 to 37 in 2018. By the coefficient of determination, the degree (amplitude) of standard deviations of indices (F3) and the quantity of standard-exceeding indices (F1) largely influence the ultimate result of the index making 82% and 80%, respectively. Water quality deterioration is caused mainly by mineral compounds of nitrogen (24%), chlorides (24), phosphates (23), sodium (14), sulfates (6), and heavy metals (2%).
The research results indicated that in general water in the Hrazdan River section within the city of Yerevan is of “bad” quality. It is anthropogenic factors, namely changes in natural hydrological regime, runoff control, heterochronous and uneven supply of pollutants entering from point and non-point sources, that determine the anomalous distribution of hydrochemical parameters by sampling stations along the urban section of the Hrazdan River in different years.
It is suggested to strengthen water quality control at Hrw-1, Hrw-6 and Hrw-8 stations when planning further monitoring studies, with an emphasis on determination of representative pollution indicators, such as ammonia, nitrite and nitrate nitrogen, phosphates, and indices of salt composition in water.
About the Author
G. H. Babayan
Center for Ecological-Noosphere Studies NAS RA
Armenia
Armenia
Coordinator of analytical works, D.Sc. in Technology
Yerevan 0025, Abovian-68, Republic of Armenia
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For citations:
Babayan G.H. Assessment of the ecological state within the urban section of the Hrazdan River (Yerevan city) based on hydrochemical indicators. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 5, Geografiya. 2022;(4):26-35. (In Russ.)
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