Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-219
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-219
06 Jun 2016
 | 06 Jun 2016
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

Particulate matter characterization of Cauca River water in Colombia

Juan Pablo Gutiérrez, Doris van Halem, and Luuk Cornelis Rietveld

Abstract. The particulate matter composition in the Upper Cauca River section was studied, considering the importance of this river for the water supply of Cali, Colombia, and the implications that the turbidity of this water source has had for the city's water treatment. Additionally, the upstream Palo River was investigated, as this river is a major contributor to the Cauca River. River water samples were taken in both rivers in the period 2012–2014 during dry and rainy seasons. The origin of the particulate matter was studied through measurements of turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids, particle size distribution, Fe3+, PO43−, NO3-N, chlorophyll-a, chemical oxygen demand, and true color. Turbidity and TSS values, measured during this survey, were highly variable, ranging from 25 to 465 NTU and 10 to 490 mg/L in the Cauca River, and from 30 to 840 NTU and 15 to 710 mg/L in the Palo River, respectively. High scattering was obtained in TSS and turbidity relationships in both rivers, potentially due to the different sources contributing to both parameters. It was concluded that the concentration of particulate matter depended merely on precipitation events in the Cauca and Palo River basins, leading to soil erosion due to extensive and intensive agricultural practices. In addition, the South Canal was identified as one of the main contributors to organic particulate matter.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Juan Pablo Gutiérrez, Doris van Halem, and Luuk Cornelis Rietveld
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Juan Pablo Gutiérrez, Doris van Halem, and Luuk Cornelis Rietveld
Juan Pablo Gutiérrez, Doris van Halem, and Luuk Cornelis Rietveld

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Short summary
The particulate matter (PM) contained in river can be responsible for interference with disinfection and conveying disease-causing compounds. It was studied the composition of PM in a highly turbid river (Cauca) to determine the characteristics during rainy and dry conditions, concluding that its concentration depended merely on precipitation events, leading to soil erosion due to agricultural practices. The South Canal was identified as one of the main contributors to organic particulate matter.