Suspended solids in freshwater systems: characterisation model describing potential impacts on aquatic biota

Abstract

Purpose High concentration of suspended solids (SS)-fine fraction of eroded soil particles-reaching lotic environments and remaining in suspension by turbulence can be a significant stressor affecting the biodiversity of these aquatic systems. However, a method to assess the potential effects caused by SS on freshwater species in the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase still remains a gap. This study develops a method to derive endpoint characterisation factors, based on a fate and effect model, addressing the direct potential effects of SS in the potential loss of aquatic invertebrate or algae and macrophyte species. Methods Characterisation factors for the assessment of the direct effects of SS in the potential disappearance of macroinvertebrates, algae and macrophytes in 22 different European river sections were derived by combining both fate and effect factors. Fate factors reflect the environmental residence time of SS in river sections per unit of water volume in this same section. Effect factors were calculated from an empirical relationship between the potentially disappeared fraction (PDF) of aquatic species and the concentration of SS. These factors were determined based on a concentration-response function, on gross soil erosion data and detrimental concentrations of SS for different taxa in river sections. Results and discussion The product of fate with effect factors constitutes the characterisation factors for both macroinvertebrates, algae and macrophytes. The estimated EFs are higher for macroinvertebrates in almost all river sections under study, showing that the potential effects caused by SS throughout the water column are higher for macroinvertebrates than for algae and macrophytes. For macroinvertebrates, characterisation factors range between 2.8 × 10 − 7 and 3.1 × 10 − 3 PDF m 3 day mg −1 , whereas for algae and macrophytes, they range between 1.6×10 −7 and 4.7×10 −4 PDF m 3 day mg −1 . Conclusions The developed method and the derived characterisation factors enable a consistent assessment and comparison of the potential detrimental effects of SS on aquatic invertebrate and macrophyte communities at different locations. Long-term, on-site monitoring of SS levels in the water column should be performed to understand the magnitude of the effects of SS on aquatic biota and to determine the taxa that are more sensitive to the SS stressor. This monitoring will improve the robustness of the proposed LCA method, the reliability of the characterisation factors, as well as the development of characterisation factors for a wider range of rivers.

Composting leachate: characterization, treatment, and future perspectives

“…However, this particular information has not been discussed in any of the studies. In comparison to municipal wastewater TSS concentrations, which generally varies between 100 and 350 mg/L with an average of 220 mg/L, composting leachate TSS concentration is very high and is likely to cause a decrease of light availability which can reduce photosynthetic rates, leading to adverse effects on algae and macrophytes (Quinteiro et al 2015).…”

Life cycle impacts of topsoil erosion on aquatic biota: case study on Eucalyptus globulus forest

“…Topsoil erosion leads to changes on soil properties and to the displacement of suspended solids (SS) towards the surfacewater systems. Figure 1 (based on Quinteiro et al 2014Quinteiro et al , 2015a illustrates the potential environmental pathways related to topsoil erosion. The loss of topsoil can lead to a loss of productive capability of land, and this has begun to be considered recently in LCA studies in the context of terrestrial ecosystem services (e.g.…”

“…High concentrations of SS reaching lotic environments and remaining in suspension can be significant stressors to the biodiversity of these aquatic systems, causing major disruptions in the aquatic ecosystems, leading to sub-lethal and lethal effects on macroinvertebrates, primary producers (e.g. algae and macrophytes) and fish communities (Angermeier et al 2004;Bilotta and Brazier 2008;Collins et al 2011;Quinteiro et al 2015a). The presence of high concentrations of SS due to topsoil erosion by water affects macroinvertebrates by clogging feeding structures and damaging gills and digestive structures (Bilotta and Brazier 2008).…”

“…However, less attention has been paid to potential impacts of SS from topsoil erosion on aquatic biota, mainly because of the complexity of establishing a spatial inventory of eroded SS from upland sources. Recently, Quinteiro et al (2014Quinteiro et al ( , 2015a developed a framework to construct inventories of both soil erosion and SS delivery to aquatic systems using a spatially distributed soil and SS delivery model (WaTEM/SEDEM) (Van Oost et al 2000;Van Rompaey et al 2001;Verstraeten et al 2002) and proposed a method to derive regional characterisation factors for endpoint damage on aquatic ecosystem diversity (macroinvertebrates, algae and macrophytes).…”

The Effect of Land Use on Availability of Japanese Freshwater Resources and Its Significance for Water Footprinting

“…For water degradation, several methods have been advanced as tools for assessing the impacts of water pollution, mainly by chemical substances [5]. Recently, the target emissions in the assessment of water degradation have been expanded to thermal emissions and suspended solids [6][7][8]. One method expresses the effects of pollution on water degradation by a proxy that is the assumed volume of water needed to dilute emissions to the concentration in the natural environment [9].…”