Spatial and Temporal Variation of Water Quality of Typical Rivers in the River-network Plain to the East of Tai Lake

Nine cross sections of three typical rivers in the river-network plain to the east of Tai Lake were selected to measure water quality and water flow parameters monthly from September 2007 to August 2008. The spatial and temporal features of water quality were analyzed and the water pollution loads at river sections were estimated using statistic analysis. Combining land use in the riparian buffer zone interpreted form Remote Sensing images, the relationship between river water pollution load and land use were analyzed. It was clear that river water in the study area was polluted so seriously that water quality was ranked Grade V or worse. Pollutant input process in most river sections prevailed river self-purifying process. River qualities varied seasonally as that pollutant were denser in spring and winter than that in summer and autumn. Residential land in the 100 m buffer zone and industrial land in the 500 m buffer zone had the greatest influence on water quality. Forested and grassed riparian land appeared important in mitigating water quality degradation.