Estimating surface water concentrations of “down-the-drain” chemicals in China using a global model

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Whelan, M.J.; Hodges, J.E.N.; Williams, R.J.; Keller, V.D.J.; Price, O.R.; Li, M.. 2012 Estimating surface water concentrations of “down-the-drain” chemicals in China using a global model. Environmental Pollution, 165. 233-240. 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035

Abstract/Summary

Predictions of surface water exposure to “down-the-drain” chemicals are presented which employ grid-based spatially-referenced data on average monthly runoff, population density, country-specific per capita domestic water and substance use rates and sewage treatment provision. Water and chemical load are routed through the landscape using flow directions derived from digital elevation data, accounting for in-stream chemical losses using simple first order kinetics. Although the spatial and temporal resolution of the model are relatively coarse, the model still has advantages over spatially inexplicit “unit-world” approaches, which apply arbitrary dilution factors, in terms of predicting the location of exposure hotspots and the statistical distribution of concentrations. The latter can be employed in probabilistic risk assessments. Here the model was applied to predict surface water exposure to “down-the-drain” chemicals in China for different levels of sewage treatment provision. Predicted spatial patterns of concentration were consistent with observed water quality classes for China.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number/DOI:	10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Water > WA Topic 3 - Science for Water Management > WA - 3.4 - Develop novel and improved methods to enable the sustainable management of freshwaters and wetlands CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.4 - Produce models, maps, databases and inventories to assess compliance ...
CEH Sections:	Boorman
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	global, exposue, chemical, model, China
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology
Date made live:	20 Dec 2011 09:39
URI:	http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/16089

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number/DOI:

10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Water > WA Topic 3 - Science for Water Management > WA - 3.4 - Develop novel and improved methods to enable the sustainable management of freshwaters and wetlands
CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.4 - Produce models, maps, databases and inventories to assess compliance ...

CEH Sections:

Boorman

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

global, exposue, chemical, model, China