New approach to monitoring freshwater quality can identify sources of pollution, and predict their effects

The Source of Pollutants in Rivers and Freshwater Lakes Can Now be Identified Using a Comprehensive New Water Quality Analysis

The source of pollutants in rivers and freshwater lakes can now be identified using a comprehensive new water quality analysis, according to scientists at the University of Cambridge and Trent University, Canada.

Microparticles from car tyres, pesticides from farmers’ fields, and toxins from harmful algal blooms are just some of the organic chemicals that can be detected using the new approach, which also indicates the impact these chemicals are likely to have in a particular river or lake.

Importantly, the approach can also point to the origin of specific organic matter dissolved in the water, because it has a distinct composition depending on its source.

It uses a technique called high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyse water samples: within an hour this provides a comprehensive overview of all the organic molecules present.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
2. Goal 14: Life Below Water

Water Quality and Chemodiversity

Water quality is strongly determined by the diversity of organic matter dissolved in it – termed ‘chemodiversity.’ The scientists say that the thousands of different dissolved organic compounds can keep freshwater ecosystems healthy, or contribute to their decline, depending on the mixture present.

Publication Information

• Journal: Science
• Article Title: Chemodiversity in freshwater health
• Article Publication Date: 29-Mar-2024

Understanding the Origin of Pollutants in Freshwater

“Traditional approaches to monitoring water quality involve taking lots of different measurements with many devices, which takes a lot of time. Our technique is a very simple way to get a comprehensive overview of what’s going on in a particular river or lake,” said Jérémy Fonvielle, a researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Biochemistry and co-author of the paper.

To understand what drives this chemodiversity, the team reviewed studies of dissolved organic matter in freshwater samples from rivers and lakes across Europe and northern Canada.

For example, water analysis of Lake Erie in Canada revealed high levels of phosphorus pollution. By looking at the composition of individual molecules in the water sample, researchers identified agricultural activities as the source of this pollution, rather than wastewater effluent. 

“Whereas before, we could measure the amount of organic nitrogen or phosphorus pollution in a river, we couldn’t really identify where pollution was coming from. With our new approach we can use the unique molecular fingerprint of different sources of pollution in freshwater to identify their source,” said Dr Andrew Tanentzap at Trent University School of the Environment, co-author of the report.

Traditional approaches involve separately measuring many indicators of ecosystem health, such as the level of organic nutrients or particular pollutants like nitrogen. These can indicate the condition of the water, but not why this state has arisen.

Dissolved organic matter is one of the most complex mixtures on Earth. It consists of thousands of individual molecules, each with their own unique properties. This matter influences many processes in rivers and lakes, including nutrient cycling, carbon storage, light absorption, and food web interactions – which together determine ecosystem function.

Sources of dissolved organic matter in freshwater include urban runoff, agricultural runoff, aerosols and wildfires.

“It’s possible to monitor the health of freshwater through the diversity of compounds that are present. Our approach can, and is, being rolled out across the UK,” said Tanentzap.

Fonvielle will now apply this technique to analysing water samples from farmland drainage ditches in the Fens, as part of a project run by the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Landscape Regeneration to understand freshwater health in this agricultural landscape.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the identification of pollutants in rivers and freshwater lakes, which is directly related to the goal of ensuring clean water and sanitation (SDG 6). It also mentions the detection of toxins from harmful algal blooms, which is relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources (SDG 14). Additionally, the article highlights the impact of organic matter on freshwater ecosystems, which aligns with the goal of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• Target 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
• Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

The article emphasizes the identification of pollutants in water bodies, which contributes to achieving Target 6.3 of improving water quality by reducing pollution. It also discusses the detection of toxins from harmful algal blooms, which is relevant to Target 14.1 of preventing marine pollution. Furthermore, the article highlights the importance of understanding the impact of organic matter on freshwater ecosystems, aligning with Target 15.1 of ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions the following indicators:

• Levels of pollutants in rivers and freshwater lakes
• Composition of individual molecules in water samples
• Diversity of compounds present in freshwater

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. By monitoring the levels of pollutants in water bodies and analyzing the composition of individual molecules, progress can be assessed in reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals (Target 6.3). Additionally, assessing the diversity of compounds present in freshwater can help evaluate efforts towards preventing marine pollution and ensuring the conservation of freshwater ecosystems (Targets 14.1 and 15.1).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: eurekalert.org

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