Ecological health assessment of Mae Kha Canal, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand in 2023
| Autor: | Onalenna Manene, Nick Deadman, Chotiwut Techakijvej, Songyot Kullasoot, Pitak Sapewisut, Nattawut Sareein, Chitchol Phalaraksh |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2024 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Ecology and Environment, Vol 48 (2024) |
| Druh dokumentu: | article |
| ISSN: | 2287-8327 2288-1220 |
| DOI: | 10.5141/jee.23.061 |
| Popis: | Background: The Mae Kha Canal is one of Chiang Mai’s most important waterways. It supports local agriculture, irrigation, and transportation as well as provides stormwater drainage to prevent floods. Due to the unregulated rapid urbanization of the city and lack of efficient waste and wastewater management systems over the past few decades, the canal has become heavily polluted. This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of Mae Kha canal through assessment of the physico-chemical water quality and coliform bacteria. Moreover, benthic macroinvertebrates were samples and assessed using the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWPThai) and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPTThai) as biological indices. Results: The physico-chemical showed low dissolved oxygen levels, high levels of ammonia and phosphates, and elevated levels of biochemical oxygen demand, indicating that the water quality had significantly deteriorated. The canal was found to be heavily polluted, with most sites falling into the polluted to very heavily polluted. Coliform bacteria analysis revealed alarmingly high levels of total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria in the canal. The BMWPThai and ASPTThai scores indicated poor to very poor water quality. Conclusions: The physico-chemical and coliform bacteria indicated that the water quality of the Mae Kha canal had significantly deteriorated. The biological indices also indicated the poor to very poor water quality. This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive remediation efforts, emphasizing strategic planning, investment, and community engagement to revive the canal’s ecological health and water quality. |
| Databáze: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
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