Event‐based Water Quality Sampling Method for Application in Remote Rivers

Abstract

This paper describes the design and operation of a passive siphon sampler for the collection of event‐based water quality data from a remote dryland river. The materials used to construct the siphon sampler were modified to better adapt the design for the collection of non‐conservative water quality parameters and for use in high‐intensity flow conditions typical of Australia's dryland rivers. The performance of the siphon sampler was evaluated in a pilot study of water metals in the rising‐stage floodwaters of the upper Leichhardt River catchment, north‐west Queensland, Australia. Field blanks were used to quantify the extent of contamination of the collected waters by sampling media, atmosphere exposure or water intrusion during an event‐based collection period. The use of inert materials, such as high‐density polyethylene plastic, and careful cleaning with 10% nitric acid washes prior to use reduced environmental contamination of the collected sample. Below detectable levels of Pb and Zn and minor concentrations of Cu (1.8 and 1.3 μg L–1) were reported in rinsate and atmospheric blanks that were exposed in the field for less than 24 h. Atmospheric and flood blanks that remained in the field for greater than 2 weeks and remained in the siphon samplers throughout the duration of the flood events reported quantifiable concentrations of metals. For the case of the upper Leichhardt River catchment, the siphon sampler met the need of providing event‐based water collection data and offered a practical, low‐cost alternative to conventional event‐based sampling techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Floodwater Metal Contaminants in an Australian Dryland River: A Baseline for Assessing Change Downstream of a Major Lead-Zinc-Silver and Copper Mine

“…Of particular interest is the strong correlation between Cu and Pb. Similarly strong correlations have been identified in other studies of environmental metals in the upper Leichhardt River catchment (Taylor et al, 2010; Mackay and Taylor, 2011). Taylor et al (2010) also identified a significant covariant relationship between Pb and Cu surface soil concentrations (Pearson correlation = 0.88; p = 0.000), demonstrating that direct (Cu and Pb smelter stacks) and fugitive (mining, ore transport, ore preparation, sintering, and waste disposal) emission sources originating from the XMIM complex are actively distributing sulfide mining–related contaminants into the Mount Isa urban environment.…”

“…Therefore, we have compared total and dissolved metal results to the current ANZECC (2000) guideline trigger values for freshwater species protection for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, as per the QWQG recommendations (DERM, 2009). This approach has the added benefit of providing for a full range of water quality management targets (DERM, 2009) and is consistent with previous water quality research in the area (Taylor et al, 2009; Mackay and Taylor, 2011).…”

“…The datasets for total and dissolved metals show substantial increases in the tributaries draining the XMIM complex compared with samples collected from the reference sites. Given the modern XMIM activities (stacks, tailings dumps, and drainage channels from the lease), known historic mine waste inputs (Sadler et al, 1990; EPA, 2001; 2008; Noller et al, 2009), and contemporary stores of elevated sediment‐associated metals (Taylor and Hudson‐Edwards, 2008; Mackay and Taylor, 2011), it is not surprising that floodwaters from Death Adder Creek and King Gully contribute to contaminant fluxes in the trunk channel of the Leichhardt River system. However, although it is apparent that the tributaries draining the XMIM complex are transporting highly elevated concentrations of floodwater metals to the main channel, concentrations vary significantly in water samples collected from the upper Leichhardt River proper (Transects 1, 2, and 3; Fig.…”

“…Monitoring of floodwater quality in the upper Leichhardt River catchment commenced in early December 2006 and continued into late March 2007. Due to practical difficulties associated with sampling remote dryland rivers, floodwater collection was completed by using passive, rising‐stage siphon samplers, supplemented with manual water collection during the rising and falling stages of flow (method described in full in Mackay and Taylor [2011]). Rising‐stage, also known as single‐stage, samplers have been used for water quality research successfully by the U.S. Geological Survey and others (Inter‐Agency Committee in Water Resources, Subcommittee on Sedimentation, 1961; Edwards and Glysson, 1999; Graczyk et al, 2000; Diehl, 2008).…”

“…Until recently, there has been limited research examining water and sediment quality throughout the wider water supply catchment despite long‐standing environmental pressures arising from local urban settlement; cattle grazing; and major lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu) ore extraction and processing, including smelting at the Mount Isa Mines “ML8058 lease” (Fig. 1) (Kuypers et al, 2006; Taylor et al, 2009; Mackay and Taylor, 2011). The lease is situated on the western banks of the upper Leichhardt River and includes the Pb‐Zn‐Ag and Cu Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, Cu and Pb smelters (XMIM) at Mount Isa, and the Hilton and George Fisher Pb‐Zn‐Ag Mines, which are located approximately 20 km north of Mount Isa (Fig.…”