Spatiotemporal dynamics and optimization of water quality assessment in the Nantong section of the Yangtze River Basin: A WQImin approach

Study region: The Yangtze River within the Nantong region, Jiangsu Province, China Study focus: This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of water quality in the Nantong section of the Yangtze River Basin. It focuses on developing a novel water quality index model called WQImin-w3, which integrates five critical parameters: fecal coliforms (FC), turbidity (NTU), chlorides (Cl-), ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N), and dissolved oxygen (DO). Notably, fecal coliforms (FC) emerge as the most impactful parameter in the water quality index (WQI). The aim is to provide a streamlined yet comprehensive assessment of water quality in this region. New hydrological insights for the region: The WQImin-w3 model demonstrates superior performance in accurately reflecting water quality conditions compared to traditional models, offering a costeffective tool for monitoring and management. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted pollution control measures and integrated water management strategies to safeguard the ecological integrity and public health of the Yangtze River Basin. This research not only contributes to the scientific understanding of water quality dynamics but also has significant implications for policy-making, advocating for the adoption of refined monitoring practices and the incorporation of microbial indicators in water quality assessments.