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Using a conductivity--alkalinity relationship as a tool to identify surface waters in reference condition across Canada.
- Source :
- Water Quality Research Journal of Canada (IWA Publishing); 2018, Vol. 53 Issue 4, p231-240, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- The underlying natural relationship between conductivity and alkalinity was used to identify surface water quality monitoring sites that are in a 'reference' or minimally disturbed condition. Data from over 40,500 freshwater samples from 1,230 sites were combined for the time period of 2005-2015 from various federal, provincial, and joint federal--provincial/territorial freshwater monitoring programs (e.g., Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Program, Ontario's Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network). Of the samples, 30,347 provided conductivity and alkalinity data. Surface water samples with a measured conductivity that deviated (by more than 41 μS/cm) from the predicted conductivity calculated from the sample's alkalinity were deemed to be non-representative of a reference condition, while samples within 41 μS/cm of the predicted value were deemed representative of a reference condition. The 41 μS/cm cutoff value was determined using signal detection theory. The conductivity--alkalinity model was validated through a comparison with land cover data by demonstrating that samples identified as 'reference' were typically from catchments that had minimal anthropogenic disturbances. The proposed approach provides a rapid means of evaluating the reference condition of a watercourse, and of identifying data that provide an estimate of reference condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- WATER alkalinity
WATER quality monitoring
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 12013080
- Volume :
- 53
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Water Quality Research Journal of Canada (IWA Publishing)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 132602625
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2018.030