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

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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text N016089PP.pdf - Accepted Version Download (827kB) | Preview

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:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > 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 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.4 - Produce models, maps, databases and inventories to assess compliance ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Boorman (to September 2014)
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This document is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Environmental Pollution. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Environmental Pollution, 165. 233-240. 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.035 www.elsevier.com/
Additional Keywords:	global, exposue, chemical, model, China
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology
Date made live:	20 Dec 2011 09:39 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/16089

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...