Microbial Populations of the River-Recharged Fredericton Aquifer

The City of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada obtains its water from the Saint John River-recharged Fredericton aquifer. Water quality improves as it flows from the river into the aquifer in a process called bank filtration. Microorganisms contribute to water quality improvements during bank filtration by removing organic carbon. In the Fredericton aquifer, microbially catalyzed reductive dissolution of manganese oxide minerals negatively affects water quality. Aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were cultured from Fredericton aquifer production well water, from associated bedrock groundwater, and from Saint John River sediment core and sediment groundwater samples. Aerobes were the largest culturable groups in all samples. The ratio of aerobes to other microbial groups, i.e., those reducing nitrate, Mn^{4 +}, Fe^{3 +}, or sulfate, did not vary significantly along the water flow path from the river to the aquifer. Analysis of microbial community composition along the flow path indicated an essentially identical community except in the immediate vicinity of the aquifer. This is in agreement with the absence of macroscale redox zones in the sediment below the Saint John River as determined by groundwater geochemical data. Bacteria isolated from groundwater samples, identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, were α -, β -, γ -, and δ -Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. In contrast to groundwater samples, the majority of bacteria isolated from sediments were γ -Proteobacteria. Numbers of manganese-reducing bacteria, including Aeromonas spp., were small, however Mn^{4 +} reduction ability was widespread in bacteria enriched and isolated with other electron acceptors. The diverse Fredericton aquifer microbial community likely uses manganese oxide minerals as a sink for electrons derived from organic carbon oxidation.     

松花江流域沿江重点监控企业水环境潜在污染风险分析

为防控松花江流域水污染风险、优化流域内沿江产业带布局,分析了松花江流域沿江企业潜在污染风险的大小和分布,并揭示导致不同区域间水环境潜在污染风险空间差异的原因。基于《2012年废水国家重点监控企业名单》,本研究将沿松花江(到三级支流)1 km范围内的45家重点废水产生企业识别为松花江流域水环境潜在污染风险源。以沿江企业和重点区域的废水产生量与对应河段的水质状况表征水环境潜在污染风险源强弱与流域水体对潜在污染风险的缓冲能力,并以区域总人口数、第二产业产值及珍稀濒危物种分布情况反映流域社会-经济-自然复合生态系统对潜在污染风险的敏感程度开展评价。结果表明:牡丹江市辖区(牡丹江中游河段)因潜在污染风险源强、水体对潜在污染风险的缓冲能力低且自然生态系统对潜在污染风险的敏感程度高,是松花江流域受沿江企业产生的水环境潜在污染风险最严重的地区;长春市辖区(饮马河、伊通河部分河段)、伊春市辖区(汤旺河全部河段)与敦化市(海浪河全部河段、牡丹江部分河段)由于较低的水体缓冲能力和较高的生态系统敏感程度,应加强水环境潜在污染风险的防治;污染风险源强的吉林市辖区(西流松花江部分河段)与七台河市辖区(倭肯河部分河段),须提高本区域对潜在污染的风险管理能力以降低污染事故发生的可能性。最后,针对不同行业类型、区域潜在污染特点与水污染风险特征,从加快污水处理研究、评估污染治理经济手段、建立产业准入机制及完善污染防治立法等多方面提出流域水环境污染风险管控的相关建议。     

Genotoxic activity of organic contamination of the Songhua River in the north-eastern region of the People's Republic of China

The Songhua River is one of the biggest rivers in China and is the major freshwater source for industry and agriculture, as well as the source of the drinking water for millions of residents living along it. Heavy contamination of the Songhua River is due to domestic sewage and industrial wastewater. Thus, we set out to determine the carcinogenic potential of water samples taken from drinking water source of Harbin city in the Songhua River. Short-term genotoxic bioassays using Ames, SCE, and cell transformation assays were employed to examine the genotoxic activity of the ether extracts of water samples taken from the Songhua River. The results of the Ames test indicated that there were frame shift mutagens in the water samples, which were both direct and indirect. A dose–response relationship for the SCE assay was obtained, and the SCE cumulative frequency moved obviously to the right with increasing doses of water samples. Typical transformed foci were formed in NIH3T3 cells induced by ether extracts of water samples and the transformation frequency showed a dose–response relationship. The transformed cells showed the characteristics of malignant cells. All of the results indicated that the ether extracts of water samples taken from the Songhua River showed genotoxic activity.     

Relationship between aquifer biofilms and unattached microbial indicators of urban groundwater contamination

Aquifers, springs and other groundwater‐dependent ecosystems are threatened by urban land use, which causes water quality deterioration through nutrient loading, sewage infiltration, groundwater extraction and, along coasts, seawater intrusion. The presence of certain microbes in groundwater can indicate that an aquifer is anthropogenically contaminated. Interpretations made from observations of indicator microbes in groundwater are limited because the relationship between the presumably allochthonous indicator microbes and relevant autochthonous microbial communities has not been characterized. This study addressed whether autochthonous aquifer biofilms can influence the presence of presumed microbial indicators in groundwater, and simultaneously used microbial indicators to trace sources of urban contamination at a karst spring of conservation concern. These questions were approached using a 17‐month time series analysis of attached biofilm and adjacent unattached bacteria in the submerged karst aquifer conduit associated with this spring. Environmental 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to characterize these communities, and community structure data were contextualized with groundwater geochemical and hydrogeological measurements. Linear regression models were developed to explain the relative abundance patterns of indicator microbes and other unattached microbes at this site. The results of this study suggest that dominant aquifer biofilms do not influence the presence of unattached microbial taxa that are presumed to be indicators of groundwater contamination, and generated new information about the origin of coliform bacteria at the study site. These results build confidence in the use of microbial indicators in groundwater‐dependent ecosystem conservation strategies and inform future management plans for urban aquifers and springs worldwide.     

流域库坝工程开发的生物多样性敏感度分区

流域生态敏感性是流域生态系统遇到干扰时产生生态失衡与生态环境问题的难易程度和可能性大小,生物多样性是其影响最为重要的生态因子。主要考虑物种丰富度、珍稀程度、濒危程度、保护等级和生态系统类型等生物多样性敏感因子,借助GIS强大的空间数据采集和建模分析能力,在专家打分求取敏感因子权重基础上,通过空间模型计算生物多样性敏感度综合得分。基于二级流域综合得分最大值,采用ARCGIS自然间断点法实现敏感度分区,结果表明:极敏感区域主要分布在长江区的岷沱江、金沙江石鼓以下、金沙江石鼓以上、宜宾至宜昌、嘉陵江流域,珠江区的郁江、红柳河和西江流域,西南诸河区的澜沧江、红河和怒江及伊洛瓦底江流域,黄河区的龙羊峡以上流域等,这些区域水生生物特有种和受威胁物种丰度大,国家级自然保护区密集,是陆地生物多样性最丰富的地区。不敏感区域主要分布在松花江区除第二松花江以外流域,西北诸河区的塔里木盆地荒漠、古尔班通古特荒漠、中亚西亚内陆河、塔里木河干流等荒漠区,松花江区低温高寒,具有大森林、大草原、大湿地、大农田和大水域的特点,库坝工程对其生物多样性产生影响的可能性较小,西北诸河的荒漠区生境严酷,生物多样性贫乏,也不具备修建大型水库的条件,生物多样性敏感度也较低。其它区域介于二者之间,因其所处的生态系统类型、物种丰富度、珍稀程度、濒危程度和保护等级不一样,生物多样性敏感度各异。对流域库坝工程产生的生物多样性敏感度进行辨识,可为未来流域水资源合理和适度开发提供科学依据。     

利用细胞计数手段和DGGE技术分析松花江干流部分地区的细菌种群多样性

松花江是我国东北地区的重要河流之一,为加强对其水环境微生物状况的了解,对松花江干流部分地区的微生物数量和多样性进行了分析。应用传统平板培养法和流式细胞技术测定水样中的细菌数;直接提取样品中的总DNA,以巢式PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction)扩增细菌16SrDNA片段,应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis,DGGE)技术对扩增片段进行分离,研究水样和底泥样品细菌的种群多样性。实验结果显示,pH值为影响水环境中微生物总细胞数量的主要因素。水样中细菌群落多样性主要根据上下游分区,分区点在哈尔滨段附近,而底泥中细菌群落多样性的影响因素呈多样化,没有显示出较为明确的分区特征。     

松花江流域大型底栖动物群落结构与水质评价

【目的】松花江流域是中国最早的工业基地之一,其水生态环境遭到严重破坏,环境保护工作面临巨大挑战。开展松花江流域水质评价及典型生物类群多样性状况调查,可为松花江流域生态系统的保护和修复提供依据。【方法】于2016年7月调查整个松花江流域近岸的大型底栖动物群落组成和测定水质理化指标,开展其水质理化特征评价和生物指数评价,并探讨底栖动物群落分布与水环境因子间的关系。【结果】理化指标评价结果显示,南源松花江水质状况最差,处于中度污染;北源松花江处于轻度污染;梧桐河水质最好,处于良好状态。松花江流域3个河段的底栖动物群落结构存在空间差异性。另外,梧桐河的物种多样性最高,北源松花江次之,南源松花江最低。溶解氧和营养元素K的浓度是驱动底栖动物群落组成发生显著性差异的主要环境因子。生物指数评价结果显示,3个河段水质均处于轻度污染状态。【结论】松花江流域水质处于轻度到中度污染状态。有机污染是松花江流域面临的主要水质环境问题,对松花江流域底栖动物群落结构产生了显著影响。因此,控制有机质的输入是维持松花江流域水生态系统平衡的重要举措之一。     

Patterns of Tamarix water use during a record drought

During a record drought (2006) in southwest Kansas, USA, we assessed groundwater dynamics in a shallow, unconfined aquifer, along with plant water sources and physiological responses of the invasive riparian shrub Tamarix ramosissima. In early May, diel water table fluctuations indicated evapotranspirative consumption of groundwater by vegetation. During the summer drought, the water table elevation dropped past the lowest position previously recorded. Concurrent with this drop, water table fluctuations abruptly diminished at all wells at which they had previously been observed despite increasing evapotranspirative demand. Following reductions in groundwater fluctuations, volumetric water content declined corresponding to the well-specific depths of the capillary fringe in early May, suggesting a switch from primary dependence on groundwater to vadose-zone water. In at least one well, the fluctuations appear to re-intensify in August, suggesting increased groundwater uptake by Tamarix or other non-senesced species from a deeper water table later in the growing season. Our data suggest that Tamarix can rapidly shift water sources in response to declines in the water table. The use of multiple water sources by Tamarix minimized leaf-level water stress during drought periods. This study illustrates the importance of the previous hydrologic conditions experienced by site vegetation for controlling root establishment at depth and demonstrates the utility of data from high-frequency hydrologic monitoring in the interpretation of plant water sources using isotopic methods.     

不同水分条件刚毛柽柳开花结实观测

使用参照对比方法,观测了正常水分条件(参照点)与断流30年后输水河畔不同水分梯度刚毛柽柳(Tamarix hispida)单个花序长、单个花序开花数、单个花序结实量、单个花序结实率和种子发芽率的差别.结果表明:除结实率、发芽率外,参照点与输水河畔不同水分条件刚毛柽柳的各项观测指标均存在极显著差异;应急输水7年后,离河300 m,地下水埋深值5.5 m左右,刚毛柽柳可保证一定的花序长和开花数;离河500 m,地下水埋深值6 m左右,刚毛柽柳可保证一定结实量;离河1 000 m以内,地下水埋深＜7.5 m,刚毛柽柳种子的结实率和发芽率仍相对较高;干旱条件限制刚毛柽柳的花序长与开花数,随水分条件下降又限制其结实量;在缺水条件下,刚毛柽柳仍保证一定的结实率及发芽率以确保种群的延续.     

Are the characeae able to indicate the origin of groundwater in former river channels?

The macroscopic algae Characeae are usually assumed to occur in waterbodies supplied by groundwater with low phosphate content, but the indicative value of the species is seldom defined in bibliography. Former braided channels of the Rhône river are supplied with groundwater originating from the main channel (seepage) or from hillslope aquifer. The aim of the present paper was to determine if it possible to use the Characeae as indicators of physicochemical characteristies of water in order to assess the origin of groundwater supplying former river channels. Four former braided channels of the Rhône River colonized by Characeae were investigated, and the physico-chemical characteristics of i) the channels, ii) the groundwater and iii) the river were measured over a period of several months. Species are arranged along a gradient of conductivity, alkalinity, ammonium and phosphate content of the water. Charophyte species can indicate the origin of groundwater, either seepage or hillslope nutrient-poor aquifer, and integrate both the average value of the chemical parameter, and their variations. C. hispida occurs in a nutrient-poor channel mainly supplied by highly calcareous groundwater coming from hillslope aquifer. Chara major has requirements close to those of C. hispida, but is more tolerant to periodic inputs of nutrients. C. vulgaris and N. syncarpa both tolerate mesotrophic waters originating from both hillslope aquifer and seepage, and C. globularis is associated to a channel mainly supplied by mesotrophic to eutrophic river seepage.     

1995-2014年拉萨河流域水环境变化及其驱动力

探究自然环境和人类活动影响下的河流水环境变化,对于流域水资源管理和保护有重要意义。目前从较长时间尺度上系统开展拉萨河流域水环境的研究较少,基于拉萨河流域达孜、卡林、才纳3个环境监测中心站近20年（1995-2014）的水质资料,综合单因子指数法和内梅罗指数法评估拉萨河流域水环境状况,并采用Mann-Kendall检验法分析其多年变化趋势。同时,从经济社会和自然环境两个方面通过灰色关联分析法识别了影响流域水环境变化的关键驱动因子,以期为流域水环境保护提供借鉴。结果表明：（1）总体上,拉萨河流域水环境状况良好,满足水功能区要求;（2）水体中pH、溶解氧、化学需氧量、总磷等指标的取值较高,在0.7左右,是拉萨河流域水环境需重点关注指标;（3）水环境质量稍有下降,内梅罗指数从1995年的0.62增加到2014年的0.73;（4）近20年来拉萨河流域水环境变化的主要驱动因子为降水量、牲畜存栏数、人口数、农村人口数和国民经济生产总值等,农牧非点源污染是拉萨河流域的主要污染源,要重点关注和管控。     

输水前后塔里木河下游物种多样性与水因子的关系

为检验连续7a的输水对塔里木河下游生态系统稳定性的影响,根据2006年与2010年塔里木河下游地下水埋深、地下水质以及植被调查资料,分析了2006到2010年间物种多样性、地下水位和水质变化状况,利用非参数相关和RDA排序对输水间歇物种多样性与地下水位、水质关系变化作了探讨,结果发现:塔里木河下游输水停止后地下水位不断下降,地下水矿化度也有小幅度增加;物种多样性Shannon-Weiner指数、Simpson指数、Margalef指数、Patrick指数以及Cody指数都以下降为主,表明塔里木河下游受损生态系统尚不具备自维持能力;物种多样性与地下水埋深和地下水矿化度的关系为,地下水平均埋深为5 m左右时,物种多样性主要受地下水质状况的影响,而当地下水平均埋深大于6.5m时,物种多样性的制约因子则为地下水位.因此,从物种多样性角度看,塔里木河下游的合理水位应在5 m左右,大于6.5m则是物种多样性的胁迫水位.     

Water sources of Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima in Ejina Delta,the lower reaches of the Heihe River,China

Aims We aim to evaluate the water sources of typical riparian arbor species (Populus euphratica) and shrub species (Tamarix ramosissima), and analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of plant water source in Ejina Delta, the lower reaches of the Heihe River, China.Methods Eight sampling sites were selected in the riparian zones along the East River and West River in Ejina. The plant xylem water, soil moisture, rainwater, stream water and groundwater were taken and pretreated during the growing season in 2015-2016, and the stable oxygen isotope ratio (δ¹⁸O) for each water sample was measured. The δ¹⁸O of plant xylem water and soil moisture were compared to estimate the dominant depth of root water uptake, and the linear-mixed model called “IsoSource” were applied to determine plant water sources and quantify their proportions.Important findings This study indicated that the main recharge sources for P. euphratica and T. ramosissima were stream water and groundwater. The contributions of rain water to them was negligible due to the limited amount and the shallow infiltration depth of local rainfall. As affected by groundwater level fluctuation, soil physical properties, as well as lateral and vertical recharge of stream water on soil moisture, the dominant depth of root water uptake spatially varied. However, the relative contributions of stream water or groundwater to plant water sources did not change significantly across space. Populus euphratica used more stream water (68%), while T. ramosissima used more groundwater (65%). Plant water sources were sensitive to environmental flow controls. The contributions of stream water to the water sources of the two species went up to 84% and 48% for P. euphratica and T. ramosissima respectively during the discharge period, but dropped to 63% and 30% during the non-discharge period. On the other hand, the contributions of groundwater decreased to 16% and 52% during the discharge period, but increased to 37% and 70% during non-discharge period. It is noteworthy that the high similarity of δ¹⁸O between stream water and groundwater due to extensive water exchange in the riparian zone made increase the uncertain in quantifying plant water sources.     

The weighted groundwater health index: Improving the monitoring and management of groundwater resources

Increased global demand for groundwater has resulted in the need to measure and monitor this resource. Rather than monitoring groundwater simply though water chemistry and levels, which provides a ‘snapshot’ of the conditions at any given time, a more holistic approach to managing groundwater resources and their changes over time is needed. Korbel & Hose (2011) introduced the first structured framework for measuring groundwater health – the Groundwater Health Index (GHI). This multimetric, two-tiered framework uses biotic and abiotic components of the groundwater ecosystem to measure and identify ecosystem health. The framework can be used to classify impacted from non-impacted groundwaters, however it has certain limitations. With increased research and associated knowledge of groundwater ecosystems in recent times, it is now timely to attempt to build on the GHI framework.This paper refines and improves the GHI by incorporating a weighting system to account for natural factors contributing to variations in biotic distribution and is tested on data within four geologically similar alluvial aquifers in intensively irrigated agricultural areas of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Using a combination of microbial, stygofaunal, water chemistry and environmental indicators, the ‘weighted GHI’ framework was able to discriminate three distinct ecosystem health classifications; that of ‘similar to reference’(displaying reference-like condition) ‘mild deviation from reference’ (sites failing to meet between 2 and 3 benchmarks) and ‘major deviation from reference’ (sites with more than four benchmarks exceeded). The framework indicated that groundwater health deviated from reference condition in all four catchments studied, with irrigated sites consistently displaying deviations from reference ecosystem health. Tier 2 benchmarks were set using results from the Gwydir River, and were tested on the adjacent Namoi River catchment, the Condamine and Lower Macquarie catchments. Results indicated that ecosystem health benchmarks may be associate with aquifer typology, rather than being applicable only for local areas.     

The Effects of an Environmental Flow Release on Water Quality in the Hyporheic Zone of the Hunter River,Australia

Environmental flow releases have been advocated as a useful rehabilitation strategy for improving river condition but assessments of their success have typically focused on surface water quality and biota. In this study, we investigated the impacts of an environmental flow release on water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate concentrations in surface and subsurface (hyporheic) water at upwelling and downwelling zones in three sites along the Hunter River, New South Wales, Australia. We hypothesised that the flow pulse would ‘flush’ the sediments with oxygenated water, stimulating hyporheic microbial activity and nitrification, enhancing nitrate concentrations over time. Surface and subsurface samples were collected before, 7 days after, and 49 days after an environmental flow release of 5000 Ml for a period of 3 days. No lasting effects on dissolved oxygen or conductivity were evident at most sites although dissolved oxygen declined over time at the downwelling site at Bowmans Crossing. At the downwelling zones at all sites, hyporheic nitrate concentrations declined initially following the release, but then rose or leveled off by Day 49. This initial drop in concentration was attributed to flushing of nitrate from the sediments. At two sites, nitrate concentrations had increased by Day 49 in the upwelling zones while at the third site, it fell significantly, associated with very low dissolved oxygen and likely reductive loss of nitrate. Electrical conductivity data indicate that potential inputs of agriculturally enriched groundwater may contribute to the nitrogen dynamics of the Hunter River. This study highlights the spatial heterogeneity that occurs in the hyporheic zone within and among sites of a regulated river, and emphasises the need for multiple-site surveys and an understanding of groundwater dynamics to assess physicochemical responses of the hyporheic zone to environmental flow releases.     

Assessment and evaluation of geochemical process in the groundwater of the coastal aquifers

The quality of the groundwater in the study area was evaluated through various water quality indexes for drinking and irrigation purposes. To evaluate the water quality index, 186 groundwater samples were sampled during 2 different seasons, likely pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM). The collected samples were measured for physical-chemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO₃, PO₄, SO₄, NO₃ and H₄SiO₄. The research findings indicated that groundwater of the study area is approaching an alarming stage of its suitability for drinking purpose because a major percentage (i. e. 56%: PRM, 46%: POM) of samples are within poor category. Thus, the proper management strategy for water resources must be developed and a preventive management practice to address this issue must be implemented. Various water quality parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, salinity hazard, sodium hazard and permeability indexes (PI) were considered for irrigation water quality evaluation and it is inferred that the groundwater of the study area is suitable for irrigation. The PRM and POM samples with higher Na + and Cl concentrations were identified. The primary source of groundwater contamination is anthropogenic factors like domestic, agriculture effluents and mining activities. However, the groundwater of these regions is also greatly influenced by geogenic factors like weathering, rock-water interaction and precipitation which results in groundwater water level fluctuation. The research findings suggest the groundwater quality of this region is approaching an alarming stage for drinking purposes. Thus, developing a management strategy for drinking water sources and implementing preventive management practices to address this issue becomes imperative.     

Influence of groundwater depth on the seasonal sources of water accessed by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Banksia</Emphasis> tree species on a shallow,sandy coastal aquifer

In Mediterranean ecosystems vegetation overlying shallow, transient aquifers is often dominated by woody phreatophytes, trees and shrubs that have been shown to be dependent on groundwater for their water requirements. Natural and anthropogenic alterations of groundwater tables (abstraction) are of clear importance to phreatophytic vegetation as reduction of water tables may sever these plants from their natural water sources. Seasonal water sources were determined for species growing on a coastal dune system that overlies a shallow sandy aquifer in south-western Australia. The plants studied grew over groundwater that ranged in depth from 2.5 to 30 m. The naturally occurring stable isotope of hydrogen (deuterium, '²H) was used to distinguish potential water sources. Isotopic ratios from vascular water of the dominant species of the study area (Banksia ilicifolia R. Br. and Banksia attenuata R. Br. trees) were compared with those of potential sources of precipitation, soil moisture and groundwater. A relatively shallow-rooted perennial shrub, Hibbertia hypericoides Benth., was also included as an isotopic reference. The results suggest that both B. attenuata and B. ilicifolia are phreatophytic as they derived some of their water from groundwater throughout the dry-wet cycle, with the exception of B. attenuata at the site of greatest depth to groundwater (30 m) which did not use groundwater. A high proportion (>50%) of groundwater use was not maintained throughout all seasons. With the onset of the hot Mediterranean summer, progressive drying of the surface soils resulted in increased use of groundwater and deep soil moisture. During the wet winter plants used proportionately more water from the upper layers of the soil profile. The degree to which groundwater was utilised by the study species was dependent on the proximity of groundwater, availability of moisture in shallower horizons of the soil profile, root system distribution and maximum root depth.     

黑河下游河岸绿洲区包气带土壤水分与植被生长状况的研究

黑河下游荒漠平原区近年来由于河水流入量的持续减小,致使依赖河水补给来源的地下水呈减少趋势,造成区域性地下水位下降,从而引起一系列生态环境问题。通过研究黑河下游河岸绿洲区非饱和带的含水量、地下潜水埋深、土壤类型结构等与河岸绿洲植被生长状况之间的关系,发现土壤结构、地下水位埋深和土壤盐分是决定研究区植被生长状况的3个主要因素,而土壤结构是不可改变的,土壤盐分又与地下水关系密切,因此,地下水是极端干旱区植被生长状况的决定因素。     

Connectivity and biocomplexity in waterbodies of riverine floodplains

1. In river corridors, water plays a key role in connecting various landscape patches. This `hydrological connectivity' operates on the four dimensions of fluvial hydrosystems: longitudinal, lateral, vertical, and temporal. The present review focuses on: (1) lateral connectivity that links the main course of a river with floodplain waterbodies; and (2) vertical connectivity, the exchanges between the surface and groundwater via infiltration into the alluvial aquifer and exfiltration of phreatic water from the hillslope aquifer.
2. The biocomplexity of fluvial hydrosystems results from interactions between processes operating at various spatial and temporal scales. Differences in the nature and intensity of hydrological connectivity contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of riverine floodplains, which results in high alpha, beta and gamma diversity. Differences in connectivity also provide complementary habitats that are required for the parts of life cycles and life-cycles of some species. Hydrological connectivity also produces antagonistic effects, even within the same waterbody.
3. Two temporal scales are distinguished in connectivity dynamics. River level fluctuations within years lead to a pulsing connectivity that drives the functioning of floodplain ecosystems, namely the exchange of organic matter and inorganic nutrients and the shift between production and transport phases. On the scale of decades to centuries, the interactions between various processes increase the biocomplexity of floodplains; for example, river dynamics, which create highly connected waterbodies, compensate for succession that tends towards disconnection. Alternatively, river-bed incision leads to the reduction of fluvial dynamics and to the disconnection of waterbodies, although river incision may increase vertical connectivity where waterbodies are supplied by the hillslope aquifer.     

Evaluation of potable groundwater zones identification based on WQI and GIS techniques in Adyar River basin,Chennai, Tamilnadu,India

The main objective of this study is to identify the potable groundwater zones in Adyar River Basin (ARB) that forms the major river of Chennai metropolitan and significantly contributes to the demands of this big city's water supply. Twenty eight groundwater samples were collected during postmonsoon and premonsoon seasons in 2016 from the wells of ARB which is downstream of Chembarambakkam Lake, which supplies drinking water to Chennai metropolitan city. All the water samples were analyzed using Portable meter and Ion Chromatography for physico-chemical parameters and major ions such as pH, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO₃, SO₄ and NO₃. The analytical results were compared with the WHO, USEPA & BIS guideline values and reported that some of the samples exceeds these guideline values for drinking water quality. Spatial distribution maps were prepared to identify the potable groundwater available regions based on these water quality parameters. Piper and Gibbs plots are generated to identify the nature and type of groundwater with processes controls the groundwater chemistry. Principal component analysis was done to interpret the possible sources of chemical compounds present in the groundwater. To precisely delineate the potable groundwater region in ARB, Water Quality Index (WQI) approach is employed with the basic water quality parameters and spatial distribution maps were prepared using GIS for the obtained indexes. It is found that only 10.71% and 17.86% of the study area groundwater is within the excellent water quality for drinking during postmonsoon and premonsoon respectively, whereas 42.86% in postmonsoon and 14.29% in premonsoon is found as poor quality groundwater for drinking. The groundwater of the northwestern and western part of ARB is under very poor and unsuitable category for drinking in both the seasons. This region of ARB is recommended for implementation of artificial groundwater recharging to improve the groundwater quality and make it suitable for drinking.