Abstract
Water quality monitoring (WQM) is crucial for managing and protecting riverine ecosystems. Current WQM network design practices often rely on unsubstantiated criteria rather than accountable algorithms. Water managers face difficulties to relate the impact of local boundary conditions on the choice of appropriate WQM network design methods. After reviewing the commonly used design methods and their resulting monitoring setups, it was evident that multivariate statistical analysis is the most frequently used method for designing WQM networks in rivers. The majority of studies reported in the literature were conducted on very large rivers and originated from high- to middle-income countries. Most commonly monitored water quality parameters cover the general physicochemical characteristics and organic pollutants, without considering the ecological quality of the river. In most studies, decision on sampling frequencies depended on expert’s judgements. Data availability and expertise seem to affect the selection of design methods rather than river size and the extent of the monitoring networks. Findings from this study support that future research should simultaneously consider all relevant aspects at watershed scale and focus more on biological indicators. In addition, comparative studies with several design methods could also help identify better selection principles.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ANZECC, and ARMCANZ (2000) Australian Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra
Anvari A, Reyes JD, Esmaeilzadeh E, Jarvandi A, Langley N, Navia KR (2009) Designing an automated water quality monitoring system for west and rhode rivers. In: Systems and Information Engineering Design Symposium, 2009. SIEDS’09., 131–136. IEEE. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5166167/
Arle J, Mohaupt V, Kirst I (2016) Monitoring of surface waters in germany under the water framework directive—a review of approaches, methods and results. Water 8(6):217. https://doi.org/10.3390/w8060217
Asadollahfardi G, Khodadai A, Azimi A, Jafarnejad M, Shahoruzi M (2011) Multiple criteria assessment of water quality monitoring system in karoon river. J Int Environ Appl Sci 6(3):434
Baker A (2006) Land use and water quality. In: Encyclopedia of hydrological sciences. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470848944.hsa195
Bartram J, Ballance R, Nations U, Health Organization W (eds) (1996) Water quality monitoring: a practical guide to the design and implementation of freshwater quality studies and monitoring programmes, 1st edn. E & FN Spon, London
Bastidas JC, Vélez JJ, Zambrano J, Londoño A (2017) Design of water quality monitoring networks with two information scenarios in tropical andean basins. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24(25):20134–20148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9021-6
Behmel S, Damour M, Ludwig R, Rodriguez MJ (2016) Water quality monitoring strategies—a review and future perspectives. Sci Total Environ 571(November):1312–1329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.235
Biggs J, von Fumetti S, Kelly-Quinn M (2017) The importance of small waterbodies for biodiversity and ecosystem services: implications for policy makers. Hydrobiologia 793(1):3–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-3007-0
CCME (2015) Guidance Manual for Optimizing Water Quality Monitoring Program Design_Canada. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. http://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/water/water_quality/Guidance%20Manual%20for%20Optimizing%20Water%20Quality%20Monitoring%20Program%20Design_1.0_e.pdf
Chakraborty D, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Status of water pollution in india and other countries of Asia. SpringerLink. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8929-5_2
Chilundo M, Kelderman P, O´keeffe JH (2008) Design of a water quality monitoring network for the limpopo river basin in Mozambique. Phys Chem Earth Parts A/B/C 33(8–13):655–665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2008.06.055
Claussen U, Müller P, Arle J (2012) Comparison of environmental quality objectives, threshold values or water quality targets set for the demands of the European water framework directive.” Report for the CIS Working Group A “ECOSTAT.”
European EA (2008) Proposed river monitoring network. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/92-9167-023-5/page011.html
European P, Council (2000) “Water Framework Directive.” http://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:5c835afb-2ec6-4577-bdf8-756d3d694eeb.0004.02/DOC_1&format=PDF
European Commission, and Working Group 2.7 (2003) Monitoring under the water framework directive—guidnace No. 7. Common Implementation Strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. http://bookshop.europa.eu/uri?target=EUB:NOTICE:KH5103213:EN:HTML
Greve AI, Loftis JC, Brown JB, Buirgy RR, Alexander B (2003) Design and implementation of a cooperative water quality monitoring program in colorado’s big thompson watershed. Wiley Online Library. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2003.tb04427.x/abstract
Griffith JA (2002) Geographic techniques and recent applications of remote sensing to landscape-water quality studies. Water Air Soil Pollut 138(1):181–197
Grossman GM, Krueger AB (1995) Economic growth and the environment. Quart J Econ 110:353–378. https://doi.org/10.3386/w4634
Guigues N, Desenfant M, Hance E (2013) Combining multivariate statistics and analysis of variance to redesign a water quality monitoring network. Environ Sci: Processes Impacts 15(9):1692. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3em00168g
Haddaway NR, Collins AM, Coughlin D, Kirk S (2015) The role of google scholar in evidence reviews and its applicability to grey literature searching. PLOS One 10(9):e0138237. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0138237
Hamid A, Bhat SA, Bhat SU, Jehangir A (2016) Environmetric techniques in water quality assessment and monitoring: a case study. Environ Earth Sci 75(4):321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5139-3
Harmancioglu NB, Alpaslan N (1992) Water quality monitoring network design: a problem of multi-objective decision making. JAWRA J Am Water Resour Assoc 28(1):179–192
Harmancioglu NB, Fistikoglu O, Ozkul SD, Singh VP, Alpaslan MN (1999) Water quality monitoring network design, vol 33. Springer Netherlands, Water Science and Technology Library. Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9155-3
Higgins JV, Bryer MT, Khoury ML, Fitzhugh TW (2005) A freshwater classification approach for biodiversity conservation planning. Conserv Biol 19(2):432–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00504.x
Horowitz AJ (2013) A review of selected inorganic surface water quality-monitoring practices: are we really measuring what We think, and if so, are we doing it right? Environ Sci Technol 47(6):2471–2486. https://doi.org/10.1021/es304058q
Icaga Y (2005) Genetic algorithm usage in water quality monitoring networks optimization in Gediz (Turkey) River Basin. Environ Monit Assess 108(1–3):261–277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-4328-z
Jacsó P (2005) Google scholar: the pros and the cons. Online Inf Rev 29(2):208–214. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520510598066
Karamouz M, Kerachian R, Akhbari M, Hafez B (2009a) Design of river water quality monitoring networks: a case study. Environ Model Assess 14(6):705–714. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-008-9172-4
Karamouz M, Mahjouri N, Kerachian R (2004) River water quality zoning: a case study of Karoon and Dez River System. Iran J Environ Healt 1:16–27
Karamouz M, Nokhandan AK, Kerachian R, Maksimovic Č (2009b) Design of on-line river water quality monitoring systems using the entropy theory: a case study. Environ Monit Assess 155(1–4):63–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0418-z
Karamouz M, Hafez B, and R. Kerachian (2005) water quality monitoring network for river systems: application of ordinary kriging. In Impacts of Global Climate Change, 1–12. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/ https://doi.org/10.1061/40792(173)91
Khalil B, Ouarda TBMJ, St-Hilaire A (2011) A statistical approach for the assessment and redesign of the Nile Delta Drainage System Water-Quality-Monitoring Locations. J Environ Monit 13(8):2190. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0em00727g
Khalil B, Ouarda TBMJ, St-Hilaire A, Chebana F (2010) A statistical approach for the rationalization of water quality indicators in surface water quality monitoring networks. J Hydrol 386(1–4):173–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.03.019
Khalil B, Ouarda TBMJ (2009) Statistical approaches used to assess and redesign surface water-quality-monitoring networks. J Environ Monit 11 (11): 1915. https://doi.org/10.1039/b909521g
Khalil B, Ou C, Proulx-McInnis S, St-Hilaire A, Zanacic E (2014) Statistical assessment of the surface water quality monitoring network in Saskatchewan. Water Air Soil Pollut 225 (10). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2128-1
Kohonen T (1982) Automatic monitoring of water quality. Helsinki
Kulkarni AV, Aziz B, Shams I, Busse JW (2009) Comparisions of citations in web of science, scopus, and google scholar for articles published in general medical journals. JAMA 302(10):1092–1096. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1307
Liu Y, Zheng BH, Wang M, Xu YX, Qin YW (2014) Optimization of sampling frequency for routine river water quality monitoring. Sci China Chem 57(5):772–778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-013-4968-8
Lo SL, Kuo JT, Wang SM (1996) Water quality monitoring network design of Keelung River, Northern Taiwan. Water Sci Technol 34(12):49–57
Lo SL, Kuo JT, Wang SM (2002) The Influence of Artificial Cutoff on a Monitoring System and the Water Quality of the Keelung River. Water Sci Technol 46(11–12):231–236
Loftis JC, Ward RC (1979) Regulatory water quality monitoring networks: statistical and economic considerations, vol 1. Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Office of Research: US Environmental Protection Agency
Loftis JC, Ward RC (1980) Water Quality Monitoring—some Practical Sampling Frequency Considerations. Environ Manage 4(6):521–526
Mahjouri N, Kerachian R (2011) Revising river water quality monitoring networks using discrete entropy theory: the Jajrood River Experience. Environ Monit Assess 175(1–4):291–302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1512-6
Martinez-Tavera E, Rodriguez-Espinosa PF, Shruti VC, Sujitha SB, Morales-Garcia SS, Muñoz-Sevilla NP (2017) Monitoring the seasonal dynamics of physicochemical parameters from atoyac River Basin (Puebla), Central Mexico: multivariate approach. Environ Earth Sci 76(2):95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6406-2
Mavukkandy MO, Karmakar S, Harikumar PS (2014) Assessment and rationalization of water quality monitoring network: a multivariate statistical approach to the Kabbini River (India). Environ Sci Pollut Res 21(17):10045–10066. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3000-y
Memarzadeh M, Mahjouri N, Kerachian R (2013) Evaluating sampling locations in river water quality monitoring networks: application of dynamic factor analysis and discrete entropy theory. Environ Earth Sci 70(6):2577–2585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2299-x
Mustow SE (2002) Biological monitoring of rivers in thailand: use and adaptation of the BMWP score. Hydrobiologia 479(1–3):191–229. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021055926316
Naddeo V, Scannapieco D, Zarra T, Belgiorno V (2013) River water quality assessment: implementation of non-parametric tests for sampling frequency optimization. Land Use Policy 30(1):197–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.03.013
Naddeo V, Zarra T, Belgiorno V (2007) Optimization of sampling frequency for river water quality assessment according to italian implementation of the EU water framework directive. Environ Sci Policy 10(3):243–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2006.12.003
Newham LTH, Croke BFW, Jakeman AJ (2001) Design of water quality monitoring programs and automatic sampling techniques. Cooperative research centre for catchment hydrology. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/40940
Noble R, Cowx I (2002) Development of a River-Type Classification System (D1), Compilation and Harmonisation of Fish Species Classification (D2). http://www.boku.ac.at/fame/downloads/d1_2_typology_and%20species_classification.pdf
Ongley ED (2001) Water quality programs in developing countries: design, capacity building, financing, and sustainability. Water Int 26(1):14–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060108686883
Ouyang Y (2005) Evaluation of river water quality monitoring stations by principal component analysis. Water Res 39(12):2621–2635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2005.04.024
Ozkul S, Harmancioglu NB, Singh VP (2000) Entropy-based assessment of water quality monitoring networks. J Hydrol Eng 5(1):90–100
Park SY, Choi JH, Wang S, Park SS (2006) Design of a water quality monitoring network in a large river system using the genetic algorithm. Ecol Model 199(3):289–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.06.002
Richter S, Völker J, Borchardt D, Mohaupt V (2013) The water framework directive as an approach for integrated water resources management: results from the experiences in Germany on implementation, and future perspectives. Environ Earth Sci 69(2):719–728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2399-7
Sanders TG (1983) Design of networks for monitoring water quality. Water Resources Publication
Sfikas A, Angelidis P, Samaras P, Zoras S, Evagelopoulos V (2013) Utilization of a multi-parameter sensor network for online monitoring of the water quality in the lignite mining area of Kozani, Greece. Desal Water Treat 51(13–15):2977–2986. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2012.748446
Singh KP, Malik A, Mohan D, Sinha S (2004) Multivariate statistical techniques for the evaluation of spatial and temporal variations in water quality of Gomti River (India)—a case study. Water Res 38(18):3980–3992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2004.06.011
Stanford LL, Spacie A (1994) Biological monitoring of aquatic systems. CRC Press
Strobl RO, Robillard PD (2008) Network design for water quality monitoring of surface freshwaters: a review. J Environ Manage 87(4):639–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.03.001
Strobl RO, Robillard PD, Day RL, Shannon RD, McDonnell AJ (2006b) A water quality monitoring network design methodology for the selection of critical sampling points: part II. Environ Monit Assess 122(1–3):319–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-0358-4
Strobl RO, Robillard PD, Debels P (2007) Critical sampling points methodology: case studies of geographically diverse watersheds. Environ Monit Assess 129(1–3):115–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9346-y
Strobl RO, Robillard PD, Shannon RD, Day RL, McDonnell AJ (2006a) A Water Quality Monitoring Network Design Methodology for the Selection of Critical Sampling Points: Part I. Environ Monit Assess 112(1–3):137–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-0774-5
Tavakol M, Arjmandi R, Shayeghi M, Monavari SM, Karbassi A (2017a) Application of multivariate statistical methods to optimize water quality monitoring network with emphasis on the pollution caused by fish farms. Iran J Publ Health 46(1):83
Tavakol M, Arjmandi R, Shayeghi M, Monavari SM, Karbassi A (2017b) Developing an environmental water quality monitoring program for Haraz River in Northern Iran. Environ Monit Assess 189 (8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6125-x
UNEP (2016) A snapshot of the world’s water quality: towards a global assessment. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme. https://uneplive.unep.org/media/docs/assessments/unep_wwqa_report_web.pdf
USEPA (2003) “Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.chesapeakebay.net/documents/Elements_of_a_State_Water_Monitoring_and_Assessment_Program_2003.pdf
USGAO (2002) Inconsistent state approaches complicate nation’s efforts to identify its most polluted waters. United States General Accounting Office. http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA398894
Villas-Boas MD, Olivera F, de Azevedo JPS (2017) Assessment of the water quality monitoring network of the Piabanha River Experimental watersheds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using autoassociative neural networks. Environ Monit Assess 189 (9). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6134-9
Wagner RJ, Boulger RW Jr, Oblinger CJ, Smith B (2006) Guidelines and Standard Procedures for Continuous Water Quality Monitors—Station Operation, Record Computation, and Data Reporting: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 1-D3. https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/2006/tm1D3/pdf/TM1D3.pdf
Wang YB, Liu CW, Liao PY, Lee JJ (2014) Spatial pattern assessment of river water quality: implications of reducing the number of monitoring stations and chemical parameters. Environ Monit Assess 186(3):1781–1792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3492-9
Ward RC, Loftis JC, McBride GB (1986) The ‘data rich but information-poor’ syndrome in water quality monitoring. Environ Manage 10(3):291–297
West LJ, Hankin RKS (2008) Exact tests for two-way contingency tables with structural zeros. J Stat Softw 28(11):1–19
Zhou F, Liu Y, Guo H (2007) Application of multivariate statistical methods to water quality assessment of the watercourses in Northwestern New Territories, Hong Kong. Environ Monit Assess 132(1–3):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9497-x
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and The United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nguyen, T.H., Helm, B., Hettiarachchi, H. et al. The selection of design methods for river water quality monitoring networks: a review. Environ Earth Sci 78, 96 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8110-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8110-x