Long-term changes in microbial water quality indicators in a hydro-power plant reservoir: The role of natural factors and socio-economic changes

Long-term changes, from 1984 to 2010, in the indicators of microbial pollution (total viable count, coliforms, Escherichia coli , enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens ) are analysed in the Riga Hydropower Plant Reservoir, an essential source of drinking water for Riga, the capital of Latvia. Cou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2021-06, Vol.50 (6), p.1248-1258
Main Authors: Spriņġe, Gunta, Bērtiņš, Māris, Gnatyshyna, Lesya, Kokorīte, Ilga, Lasmane, Agnese, Rodinov, Valery, Stoliar, Oksana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Atmospheric Sciences
Coliforms
Drinking water
E coli
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Economics
Electric power generation
Environment
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring
Hydroelectric plants
Hydroelectric power
Indicators
Industrial pollution
Latvia
Microbial pollution
Microorganisms
Nitrogen compounds
Nonpoint source pollution
Physical Geography
Physicochemical properties
Power Plants
Quality control
Quality Indicators, Health Care
Research Article
Reservoirs
River basin development
River basins
Rivers
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomics
Turbidity
Wastewater treatment
Water
Water management
Water Microbiology
Water Quality
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Summary:Long-term changes, from 1984 to 2010, in the indicators of microbial pollution (total viable count, coliforms, Escherichia coli , enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens ) are analysed in the Riga Hydropower Plant Reservoir, an essential source of drinking water for Riga, the capital of Latvia. Counts in microbial indicators fluctuated seasonally and were related to physicochemical parameters (nitrogen compounds, turbidity, temperature, and pH). The changes in microbial pollution were brought about by two major socio-economic developments. Firstly, Latvia’s independence from the USSR in 1991 which facilitated a distinct reduction in most microorganism counts due to a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. This resulted in a significant drop in point and nonpoint pollution in the river basin. A further development was Latvia joining the European Union in 2004. The corresponding focus on water management, including wastewater treatment, was a major priority of environmental investment and lead to improvements in microbial water quality.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209
DOI:10.1007/s13280-020-01470-1