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Water Quality of the Mun River in Thailand—Spatiotemporal Variations and Potential Causes

Author

Listed:
  • Haoyu Tian

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Guo-An Yu

    (Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Ling Tong

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Renzhi Li

    (Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • He Qing Huang

    (Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Arika Bridhikitti

    (Environmental Engineering and Disaster Management Program, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus, Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand)

  • Thayukorn Prabamroong

    (Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand)

Abstract

The water quality of the Mun River, one of the largest tributaries of the Mekong River and an important agricultural area in Thailand, is investigated to determine its status, identify spatiotemporal variations and distinguish the potential causes. Water quality dataset based on monitoring in the last two decades (1997–2017) from 21 monitoring sites distributed across the basin were analyzed using seasonal Kendall test and water quality index (WQI) method. The Kendall test shows significant declines in fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) and ammonia (NH 3 ) in the upper reaches and increases in nitrate (NO 3 ) and NH 3 in the lower reaches. Strong temporal and spatial fluctuations were observed in both the concentrations of individual parameters and the WQI values. Seasonal variation of water quality was observed at each monitoring site. WQI values in August (flood season) were generally among the lowest, compared to other seasons. Spatially, sites in the upper reaches generally having lower WQI values than those in the lower reaches. Excessive phosphorus is the primary cause of water quality degradation in the upper reaches, while nitrogen is the primary parameter for water quality degradation in the lower reaches. Urban built-up land is an important “source” of water pollutants in the lower basin, while agricultural land plays a dual role, affecting across the basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoyu Tian & Guo-An Yu & Ling Tong & Renzhi Li & He Qing Huang & Arika Bridhikitti & Thayukorn Prabamroong, 2019. "Water Quality of the Mun River in Thailand—Spatiotemporal Variations and Potential Causes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3906-:d:276588
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhonghe Zhao & Gaohuan Liu & Qingsheng Liu & Chong Huang & He Li, 2018. "Studies on the Spatiotemporal Variability of River Water Quality and Its Relationships with Soil and Precipitation: A Case Study of the Mun River Basin in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Bin Liang & Guilin Han & Man Liu & Kunhua Yang & Xiaoqiang Li & Jinke Liu, 2018. "Distribution, Sources, and Water Quality Assessment of Dissolved Heavy Metals in the Jiulongjiang River Water, Southeast China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Xizhi Nong & Dongguo Shao & Yi Xiao & Hua Zhong, 2019. "Spatio-Temporal Characterization Analysis and Water Quality Assessment of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-23, June.
    4. Nuanchan Singkran, 2017. "Determining overall water quality related to anthropogenic influences across freshwater systems of Thailand," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 132-151, January.
    5. Zhonghe Zhao & Gaohuan Liu & Qingsheng Liu & Chong Huang & He Li & Chunsheng Wu, 2018. "Distribution Characteristics and Seasonal Variation of Soil Nutrients in the Mun River Basin, Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, August.
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