Analysis of phosphorous in the Nepean River using Turbidity and Electrical conductivity
RIS ID
61753
Abstract
The Nepean River is an important water resource in the Sydney Basin. In addition to being a source of potable water, it is also a recreation area for the urban population of Western Sydney. However, human activities in the catchment area have resulted in a rapid deterioration of water quality since settlement started. Phosphorus is one of the water quality parameter which causes an increase in the population of aquatic plants and weeds which deteriorates the river water quality. Upstream of West Camden Sewage Treatment Plant, the major sources of phosphorus is found to be geological origin, forest and agricultural runoff. Overall, suspended solids including suspended sediments and other suspended materials, play an important role in the transportation of phosphorus along rivers. This study has shown that a very good correlation exists between suspended solids and turbidity when turbidity is > 20 NTU. It is found that total phosphorus is highly correlated with turbidity and electrical conductivity (EC), whereas nonfilterable phosphorus is highly correlated with turbidity. No correlation has been found between fiiterable phosphorus and electrical conductivity. It is concluded that the linear models developed using regression analysis can be applied to the modelling of phosphorus in the Nepean River.
Publication Details
Sivakumar, M. Musavi-Jahromi, S. H. (1995). Analysis of phosphorous in the Nepean River using Turbidity and Electrical conductivity. 2nd International Symposium on Urban Stormwater Management (pp. 503-508). Informit.