A GIS methodology for the real-time assessment of micro-pollutant concentration in river: Application to the Lake Biwa basin in Japan

For integrated water management in the future, the real-time assessment of toxic micro-pollutant concentrations in rivers is required, since these pol lutants cause various irreversible and adverse effects in the environment. In this research, a GIS (Geographical Information System) methodology using EMC (Event Mean Concentration) was established for estimating the SS (Susp ended Solids) concentration that strongly sorbs organic micro-pollutants. T he GIS was applied to the Lake Biwa basin in Japan. On non-point sources, i t was found that in some rivers the upstream SS concentrations could become greater than those in downstream, which suggested that the environmental i mprovement measures in downstream waters are not always appropriate. For ef fective use of this GIS methodology, the improvement of the GLS model is ne cessary and up-to-date data should be kept in constant readiness, which lea ds to an ideal integrated water quantity and quality management in the futu re.