Decreasing boron concentrations in UK rivers: Insights into reductions in detergent formulations since the 1990s and within-catchment storage issues

Neal, Colin; Williams, Richard J.; Bowes, Michael J.; Harrass, Michael C.; Neal, Margaret; Rowland, P.; Wickham, Heather; Thacker, Sarah; Harman, Sarah; Vincent, Colin; Jarvie, Helen P.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.074

Cited by 36 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…sewage effluent) that has been reduced, rather than rain-related agricultural inputs (Bowes et al, 2008). This is further confirmed by plotting the SRP concentrations against sodium concentration (a conservative sewage marker) (Neal et al, 2010b) (Figure 6b However, these data sets also show that there has been little improvement in phosphorus concentrations in the River Thames and its tributaries since February 2009. A previous study of the Thames Initiative data using Load Apportionment Modelling 10 has highlighted that despite past improvements (due largely to the introduction of phosphorus stripping at sewage treatment works), the Thames and most tributaries are still dominated by STW P inputs.…”

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confidence: 71%

“…This is probably due to the Rivers Pang and Leach having the lowest STW population equivalent densities (30 and 20 PE km -2 respectively), and although the River Kennet has a higher STW-PE density (114 PE 10 km -2 ), all STWs along its length have had tertiary phosphorus stripping installed, with most final effluent consents set at <1000 µg P l -1 . However, these three rivers are still highly nutrient impacted, due to their very high nitrate concentrations of between 24 and 31 mg NO3 l is because boron is a constituent of detergents, and has been used as a sewage tracer in river research in the past, although concentrations are declining rapidly due to changing detergent formulations (Neal et al, 2010b). The highest average boron concentration in the River Thames was observed in the middle reaches at Wallingford, due to its location downstream of Oxford STW and the confluences with the Rivers Ray, Cherwell and Thame, all with significant boron loads.…”

Section: Spatial Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weekly water quality monitoring data for the River Thames (UK) and its major tributaries (2009–2013): The Thames Initiative research platform

Bowes¹,

Armstrong²,

Harman³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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The River Thames and 15 of its major tributaries have been monitored at weekly intervals since March 2009. Monitored determinands include major nutrient fractions, anions, cations, metals, pH, alkalinity and chlorophyll a., and linked to mean 10 daily river flows at each site. This catchment-wide biogeochemical monitoring platform captures changes in the water quality of the Thames basin during a period of rapid change, related to increasing pressures (due to a rapidly growing human population, increasing water demand and climate change) and improvements in sewage treatment processes and agricultural practises. The platform provides the research community with a valuable data and modelling resource for furthering our understanding of pollution sources and dynamics, and interactions between water quality and aquatic ecology. Comparing 15 Thames Initiative data with previous (non-continuous) monitoring data sets from many common study sites, dating back to 1997, has shown that there have been major reductions is phosphorus concentrations at most sites, occurring at low river flow, and these are principally due to reduced loadings from sewage treatment works. This ongoing monitoring programme will provide the vital underpinning environmental data required to best manage this vital drinking water resource, which is key for the sustainability of the city of London and the wider UK economy.

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confidence: 71%

Section: Spatial Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Weekly water quality monitoring data for the River Thames (UK) and its major tributaries (2009–2013): The Thames Initiative research platform

Bowes¹,

Armstrong²,

Harman³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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“…However, B used as a foul sewer indicator, is seen to be elevated above the 30 m bgl port during the two sampling campaigns indicating possible foul sewer influence. The decrease between the two sampling campaigns could be explained by the decrease in the use of B as an optical brightener in detergents (Neal et al 2010). The evidence from changes in concentration of inorganic ions suggests multiple sources at this site and changes in these sources over time.…”

Section: Temporal Changes In Hydrochemical Profiles: 2004-2014mentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Boron (B) is a constituent of a bleaching agent in washing powders (borax, sodium perborate monohydrate, disodium tetraborate) and was of interest to the historical study during 2003-4 as a possible wastewater tracer in the aquifer. Boron concentrations in washing powders have decreased over time hence Neal et al (2010) was able to show falling boron concentrations in river waters due to falling concentrations in wastewaters. Comparing the historical average concentrations (Morris et al, 2006) with concentrations found in February and July 2014 there is an overall decrease in concentration over time.…”

Section: Temporal Changes In Hydrochemical Profiles: 2004-2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrochemical profiles in urban groundwater systems: New insights into contaminant sources and pathways in the subsurface from legacy and emerging contaminants

White

Lapworth

Stuart

et al. 2016

Science of The Total Environment

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It has long been known that groundwaters beneath urban areas carry a fingerprint from urban activities but finding a consistent tracer for anthropogenic influence has proved elusive. The varied sources of urban contaminants means that a single consistent and inexpensive means of tracing the fate of urban contaminants is not generally possible and multiple tracers are often required to understand the contaminant sources and pathways in these complex systems. This study has utilized a combination of micro-organic (MO) contaminants and inorganic hydrochemistry to trace recharge pathways and quantify the variability of groundwater quality in multi-level piezometers in the city of Doncaster, UK. A total of 23 MO's were detected during this study, with more compounds consistently detected during higher groundwater table conditions highlighting the importance of sampling under different hydrological conditions. Four of the compounds detected are EU Water Framework Directive priority substances; atrazine, simazine, naphthalene and DEHP, with a maximum concentration of 0.18, 0.03, 0.2, 16 µg/l respectively. Our study shows that the burden of the banned pesticide atrazine persisting in the Sherwood sandstone is detected at two of the three study sites. Emerging contaminants' are seen throughout the borehole profiles and provide insights into transient pathways for contaminant migration in the sub-surface. Long term changes in inorganic hydrochemistry show possible changes in contaminant input or the dissolution of minerals. Nitrate was detected above 50 mg/L but on the whole nitrate concentrations have declined in the intervening years either due to a reduction of nitrate application at the surface or a migration of peak nitrate concentrations laterally or to greater depth. This study shows that multiple tracers together with multi-level piezometers can give a better resolution of contaminant pathways and variable flow regimes within the relatively uncomplicated aquifer of the Sherwood Sandstone compared with single long screened wells.

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“…Although there have been significant improvements in regional water quality in recent years [5], according to the data in the Environment Agency's database, many of the North West's rivers are still subject to significant sewage and industrial inputs and or/ agricultural runoff [6,7]. Nickel, Cd and Pb are widely used in manufactured products and released into the environment from point source discharges, although it is suggested that diffuse pollution could be higher than point sources [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Quality Status of Rivers for the Water Framework Directive: A Case Study of Toxic Metals in North West England

Rowland

Neal

Sleep

et al. 2011

Water

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This paper provides data from two years of monitoring of the chemical quality of rivers and streams in North West England from the clean headwaters to polluted rivers just above the tidal reach and covers 26 sites including the Ribble, Wyre and the tributary rivers of the Calder and Douglas. Across the basins that include areas of rural, urban and industrial typologies, data is presented for three of the priority substances in the Water Framework Directive i.e., nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Average concentrations are low and well below the Environmental Quality Standards values for all three of these substances. Cadmium and Pb appear in approximately equal proportions in the dissolved (<0.45 µm) and in the acid available particulate fractions (>0.45 µm) whilst Ni occurs predominantly in the dissolved form (92%). Regional inputs of these metals arise mostly from diffuse sources as the storm-flow concentrations are generally greater than at base-flow condition. Greater concentrations of Ni are transported at the headwaters and smaller tributary sites under storm flow condition than for the main stream of the Ribble. For Ni, amounts increase as the river proceeds from its headwaters down towards the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, whilst Cd and Pb show consistent values throughout the catchment. There is annual cycling of dissolved concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ni for the clean headwater streams that gives maxima during the latter half of the year when the river flow is greater. For the impacted sites the pattern is less distinct or absent. Our estimates

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Decreasing boron concentrations in UK rivers: Insights into reductions in detergent formulations since the 1990s and within-catchment storage issues

Cited by 36 publications

References 27 publications

Weekly water quality monitoring data for the River Thames (UK) and its major tributaries (2009–2013): The Thames Initiative research platform

Weekly water quality monitoring data for the River Thames (UK) and its major tributaries (2009–2013): The Thames Initiative research platform

Hydrochemical profiles in urban groundwater systems: New insights into contaminant sources and pathways in the subsurface from legacy and emerging contaminants

Chemical Quality Status of Rivers for the Water Framework Directive: A Case Study of Toxic Metals in North West England

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