Vol-7, Special Issue3-April, 2016, pp433-439 http://www.bipublication.com
Case Report
A Review on Pollution Sources of Rivers
with Regard to the Origin of their
Production (Case Study: Babol Roud River)
Mohammad Yousefinejad
MSc student in civil engineering (environment),
Khaje Nasir Toosi University of Technology,
yousefinejad@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
In Iran, the use of surface water and groundwater has always been a priority for farmers, industries, and so forth due to the geographical location and arid climate. Unfortunately, the human causes pollution and destruction by the wrong and excessive consumption of resources. This study aims to investigate the main factors of water pollution for Babol Roud River and classify factories that are the main causes of pollution of the river, such as Fiber factory in Babolsar and zinc oxide production factory in Amir Kala. Wastewater of these factories plays a key role in the water pollution of Babol Roud River. Other factors that impose excessive pollution on the river include the slaughterhouse of Babol, the entry of the oil into the river, toxic pollution and farming. Mismanagement and the entry of large quantities of wastewater that are dumped daily into the river have increased pollution and aquatic life, wildlife and even people in this region are facing a serious threat. In this regard, the present study considered the contaminants in Babol Roud River, the most important and the most practical suggestions to reduce and mitigate pollutants entering the river. Hence, this study is considered important to advance vital goals and the more accurate decision-making and help enforcement authorities with reducing pollutants of this river.
Keywords: Babol Roud River, water pollution, Fiber factory of Babolsar, mitigation of pollutants.
1. INTRODUCTION
Iran is located at the center of a dry region and is strongly influenced by the dry and hot deserts of Central Asia, Arabia, and Africa. Thus, Iran is considered as one of the driest and lowest rainfall regions. There is no permanent river in Iran other than three relatively important rivers, including Sefid Rood, Karun, and Karkheh. There are a few seas in comparison with the breadth of Iran. Rivers in central, eastern, and southern areas are often seasonal and their water is wasted because it is drained into the deserts and salt marshes [1]. Along with the scientific, technical, and social developments in recent decades, progress has emerged in agricultural development and efforts
wasted [3]. These rivers are mostly seasonal and their flood often threatens villages and cities. Nowadays, people encroach too much on the nature and cause fundamental changes in the pollution, especially pollution of surface water. A stream of water is considered polluted when its composition is directly or indirectly changed by human activities and water cannot easily be used [1]. In general, entering or adding any substance
that prevent drinking water, bathing, recreation, agriculture, horticulture or industrial use is called as a pollutant. Adding a pollutant to water decreases its quality for the mentioned consumptions. In addition, it can cause the incidence of adverse consequences such as illness, bad feeling (in terms of taste, smell, temperature and even the aesthetics), toxicity, and degrading the quality and quantity of crops and food [4]. 2. Introducing the area under study
Babol Roud River is located in the north of Iran and south of the Caspian Sea and is considered as a part of the Caspian Sea basin. This river is originated from the northern slopes of the Alborz and leads to Haraz river from the West and leads to Talar river basin from the East. Babol Roud River is made of three rivers, including Azar, Babak, and Kafkak, in the border village of Darelafor. Babol Roud River flows into the Caspian Sea in Babolsar city after passing through the west of the city of Babol. The aqueous origin of Babol Roud is rain. Babol Roud water is used
for agricultural purposes in the surrounding plains. More than 60 percent of the river's water comes from tributaries and the regime is almost permanent. Although the total water flow is cut off at some point in the year in recent years due to decreasing rainfall and intervals of rain and the increase in cultivation areas, in some sections of the year it is in the rebellion mode and destroys many shrubs and the river margins (Fig. 1).
Figure 1: overview of the river under study
3. Methodology
Urban and industrial sewages are directly entered into the hydrological network of Babol Roud. The vegetable oil production factory (Shokofeh Babylon) and fiber factory in Babol are two major rivers polluting Babol Roud. Wastewater of all public bathrooms in Babol, Babolsar, Amirkala, (bathrooms of Hamze kala, Benborj, Maleki, Banayel, Ehsan and Salehi), most of the houses adjacent to the river and drainage system in Babol, Babolsar, Amirkala lead to Babol Roud River [5]. The major sources of pollution in the Babol Roud River include:
Fiber factory in Babol: Established in 1961and the wastewater was poured in Babol Roud River until 2004.
Melamine production factory in km 8 of Babolsar road.
Vegetable Oil Factory of Shokofeh in Babol: the wastewater of this factory was prevented in 1992.
Zinc oxide production factory in Amir Kala. Bleach factory in Mir Bazar village
Prefabricated fiberglass door manufacturing plant in the road of Babolsar and the village of Mir Bazar
Mazi light industrial factory - producer of light bubble (Flora)
antiseptic chemical plant in the village of Mir Bazar
Some of these factors are mentioned in the following:
3.1 Babol Slaughterhouse
Pollution of the factories enters the Babol Roud River through their wastewater. The sewage and wastewater contain oil and petroleum products and detergents. Vegetable oil and soap factory of Shokofeh is located near the village of Matikala and its wastewater contains oil and detergent. This wastewater is very dangerous and deadly for creatures and humans. Another factory pouring dangerous and chemical wastewater into the Babol Roud River is Babolsar fiber factory. This factory is located in a place called Miandasht and in the vicinity of the main road of Babol-Babolsar and near the mouth of the Babol Roud River. The wastewater of this factory is poured into the Babol Roud River at night and has a very bad smell. In addition, this wastewater is very dangerous for the aquacultures in the river [3].
3.2 Wastewater of Fiber Factory in Babol In this factory, cellulose sulphuric acid is acquired by the cooking of wood (raw materials).The amount of product is 15 tons per day and 700-500 cubic meters of water is needed for processing one ton of cellulose. A total of 10,000 cubic meters of water per day is consumed. This amount of water is provided by the Babol Roud River. After consumption, it is changed into wastewater with plenty of organic materials and chemicals that are highly acidic. The wastewater is brown to black
and has a very pungent smell. There are zinc compounds, sulfur compounds such as sulfates, sulfur and hydrogen sulfide in wastewater [3]. Wastewater prevents the growth of phytoplankton which in turn inhibits the production of oxygen. Wastewaters have harmful effects on aquatic organisms due to creating large variations in water chemical conditions. Additionally, the sludge and rot lead to the fungus growth in the wastewater. Even if the ratio of wastewater to water is 1.700000 in the river, fungi that are produced cause mortality of fishes. Forasmuch as the Babol Roud River is a perfect place for the spawning of fishes in Caspian Sea, fewer fishes enter the river. Finally, the wastewater makes biotope unsuitable for the aquatic life [6]. In general, there are 73 sources of pollution in the Babol Roud River. Some of them include:
Household wastewater in the two sides of the river is directly entered into the river by tube or the creek.
Waste products thrown into the river by residents.
Wastewater of bathrooms in the villages located near the Babol Roud River.
Wastewater of repair shops and car wash is poured into the Babol Roud River. Wastewater in Babol, Babolsar and Amirkala directly lead to the Babol Roud River. Municipal wastewater has stench and changes the water color. In addition, it probably has deadly poisonous organisms and micro-organisms. There are 120-150 wastewater outlet channels from Mozirj Bridge to Babolsar. They enter the Babol Roud River and municipal wastewater is basically alkaline [2].
3.3 entry of oil into the river
(Figure 2) enter the oil into the river and threaten the biological life of aquacultures.
Figure 2: A view of the fishing and recreational boats in Babol Roud River (source: the author)
3.4 Toxic pollution and agriculture
Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural fields is not economically affordable and pollutes soil and water reserves. In addition, it has adverse effects on aquatic organisms and humans. Waters used in agriculture is eventually poured into streams, rivers and lakes with nitrates and phosphates [3]. Increasing nitrate in water creates toxic substances, resulting in toxicity of aquacultures and environmental degradation in agricultural areas. Most rivers in Mazandaran, especially the five rivers (Tajan - Talar - Babolrood - Haraz - Shirud) will be a serious threat to aquatic life due to the breadth and slope of the agricultural land around them. The agricultural lands around the five rivers (Tajan - Talar - Babolrood - Haraz - Shirud) enter hundreds of tons of harmful toxins, mainly ecatin, elokan, diazinon, and the herbicides into the rivers. Obviously, this phenomenon will have highly undesirable long-term effects on aquacultures [2].
3.5 Agricultural resources
Generally, pollution from agricultural activities is divided into two categories: inorganic and organic substances. It is imposed on the surface water because of the drainage of agricultural lands near the rivers. Minerals generally include the elements contained in waste water resulting from soil erosion, dissolved substances in water and
chemicals in agricultural inputs. They increase total dissolved solids (TDS), resulting some
problems for farming. This parameter can therefore be considered as an indicator of pollution. In the case of agricultural use, if TDS is the high, more water will be necessary for irrigation, resulting in the reduction of the agricultural production. The second category of pollution is caused by organic substances. These substances include natural or synthetic organic substances. Natural organic substances generally arise from corruption and natural fertilizers in the soil called humus. Synthetic organic substances include pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and so on, resulting in severe and widespread pollution in the environment, particularly aquatic ecosystems. The most common synthetic organic substances which are used at a high level of agricultural lands include herbicides and fungicides. Herbicides and fungicides are considered as the most major pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the current water sources.
Generally, the effects and properties of agricultural pollutants are divided into 5 groups: 1. Minerals from the soil composition in the use of virgin lands for farming.
2. Materials resulting from soil erosion in Diem agricultural land (inclined)
3. Concentration of minerals due to the high levels of groundwater
4. Condensed minerals due to evaporation after irrigation.
3.6 Agricultural wastewater (chemicals, including fertilizers, agricultural pesticides and other toxins)
Indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural fields is not economically affordable and also can cause contamination of soil and water resources of the region. Thus, they will inevitably have adverse effects on aquatic organisms and humans. The contaminants can be divided into two categories: inorganic and organic. They emerge from the leaching of agricultural lands near the rivers and enter the rivers through the existing drainage of surface currents. Hundreds of tons of harmful toxins, mainly ecatin, elokan, diazinon, and the herbicides are annually entered into the rivers. The origin of the wastewater comes from chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and detergents [7].
3.7 Chemical fertilizers
The fertilizers with inorganic compounds are added to the soil to provide growth and fertility of agricultural plants and obtain better products. The fertilizers contain compounds such as nitrates, phosphates, and potassium. Indiscriminate use of them can be dangerous for the environment, particularly the aquatic environment. They can enter the rivers by various reasons such as erosion caused by the inflow of water. In the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran and Golestan with nearly a million hectares, which are about 500 thousand hectares of irrigated land, more than 320 thousand tons of fertilizers of urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate are annual used. Over 80% of Babol Rood marginal lands are devoted to rice cultivation and their wastewater enters the river. However, the rational use of fertilizers is necessary to fertilize the land and create conditions for the growth of plants and products. Thus, if they are used in an uncontrolled manner, they will cause some problems in the soil [5].
3.8 Agricultural poisons (pesticides)
The poisons include insecticides, herbicides and other agricultural pesticides. Most of them have phosphorous and chlorinated compounds as one of
the serious environmental pollutions for rivers and coastal waters. Unfortunately, most of the toxins enter the river through coastal waters and the drainage water. When they are dissolved in water, they enter underground aquifers and consumed by humans. Thus, the remaining poisons absorbed by the soil enter the human food chain. In recent years, there was a smell of poisons in urban tap water. Poisons that remain in the top layers of soil and can enter the surface water by erosion and dissolution in water and move to the rivers. The toxins are used in paddy fields under various pretexts such as the cultivated land for herbs and orchards. Unfortunately, the consumption of poisons does not comply with the principles of scientific findings and they are arbitrarily recognized by farmers. In the Caspian Sea catchment areas, these toxins pollute the rivers in the following way: [8]
Transmission through the brook, especially if there is heavy rainfall after spraying.
Entry of groundwater and water infiltration into the river.
Absorption by the soil and the transfer into the water through erosion.
Washing trees that are sprayed (by rainwater and direct it into the runoff water).
Toxins are used in the rice paddies and rice cultivation to combat the pest, including insecticides and fungicides. Pesticides include diazinon, padan, regent, spodoptera. Fungicides include hinosan, beam (tricyclazole, tilt).
3.9 Pollution caused by detergents
This type of pollution is required due to the use of detergents such as shampoo, dishwashing liquid and laundry powder. This type of pollution enters the rivers and finally into underground water through improper systems of collecting wastes [6]. 3.10 Other factors (including illegal hunting and trespassing)
spawning and fertilization. In the meantime, fishermen who are not authorized for fishing use traps in the river mouth and slightly higher than the width of the river to catch the fish. Basically, the fish are carrying thousands of eggs and are lazy, and quickly get caught in the traps. According to the latest data from the artificial reproduction, the eggs in the belly of a fish, and becoming larvae and baby fish, catching a fish during this period is equal to more than two thousand fish at other times. Thus, hunting at this time is very dangerous for the life-cycle of the fish [7].
4. CONCLUSION
According to the clear past of the river about the migration of the different fish and fisheries, we can change the conditions to regain half of the lost past. Given that the river passes through the three towns and 55 villages and waste of all the houses, workshops, and factories enter the riverbank. In addition, they enter sewage and wastewater into the Babol Roud River from a relatively large distance by the canals. Environmental officials as the main reference for these problems can pursue the volume and type of effluent from factories to rivers because contamination of rivers damage residents. One of the very important problems is agricultural wastewater that can be managed with the help of agricultural experts and authorities to optimize the use of fertilizer and pesticide and reduce the volume of pollution. Indiscriminate construction along the river for houses and agriculture lead to the sand and gravel mining along the river and make the river very dangerous in time of flooding. Miandasht rubber dam creates problems for the river ecosystem through semi-saline water in the summer season when the level of water is high. A part of the Babol Roud River that passes through the city of Babolsar is the place which motor boats and fishing boats of kilka and faces the problems due to the lack of officials’ attention. In addition, Miandasht rubber dam near the mouth of the river (about 1 kilometer of the sea) should be used effectively and a place is
considered for the passing of the fish in case of dehydration. In this regard, proper planning by relevant organizations can significantly reduce the amount of pollution for the river and provide a way to revive the lifeline and source of life. The following are some basic practical suggestions to solve the pollution problem for the Babol Roud River [9, 10]:
Accelerate the implementation of the program of collection system and wastewater treatment in population centers in a local way.
Impose a ban on construction in the catchment area of the Babol Roud River and strict implementation of the resolutions of the comprehensive plan to prevent and reduce water pollution of the Babol Roud River according to Supreme Council of National Security to maintain water quality of the Babol Roud River.
Strengthen the necessary infrastructure for the monitoring of water quality due to environmental sensitivity of the area and prevent health hazards according to ecotourism attractions in the area in an online way.
Strengthen the protection framework for strict implementation of the policy to reduce water pollution.
Explain the legal leverage to deal with the causes of degradation and pollution sources in the area and obtain fines.
Prevent and control the land use change of national resources in the area under study. Implement watershed plans in order to prevent
erosion.
Prohibit the use of septic tank systems by peripheral wells or wells in areas where their floor space with the groundwater level is less than 3 meters.
Determine environmental policy within the units and specific standards to prevent environmental degradation.
Train, promote, and encourage the public to reduce pollution of the river.
Create a continuous program of monitoring to control environmental pollution entering the Babol Roud River.
Inform the public through the media to acquaint them with environmental hazards. National and regional cooperation to reduce
pollution caused by the pollutants.
Reduce contamination by accurate positioning and technology changes.
REFERENCES
1. Botkin, Daniel and Edward Keller. (2003). Ecology (Earth as Live Planet). Translated by Abdul Hossein Wahabzadeh, Jahad Daneshgahi Publications, Mashhad.
2. Abbaspoor, M. (2010). Environmental Engineering (Vol. I and II), the center of Islamic Azad University Press.
3. Environmental Protection Agency Tehran, 2013
4. Najafpour, Sh. (1993). Flocculation process in river estuary (West Mazandaran), Master's thesis.
5. Environmental Protection Agency, project for the comprehensive study of the environment in Iran, the environmental situation in Mazandaran province, Volume 3, prepared by the Department of the Environment, Mazandaran, 2011.
6. Hoseinian, M. (2009). Water and human health.
7. Steel monthly magazine, June 1995, p. 64. 8. Jay. T. Miller. (1988). Live in the environment,
translated by Majid Makhdoom, Tehran University Press.
9. Mashhood Ahmad Khan,
ArsalanMujahidGhouri. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: ITS EFFECTS ON LIFE AND ITS REMEDIES. (2011). International Refereed Research Journal, Vol (2).
