Black disk visibility, turbidity, and total suspended solids in rivers: A comparative evaluation

作者：West Amie O^*; Scott J Thad

来源：Limnology and Oceanography-Methods, 2016, 14(10): 658-667.

DOI：10.1002/lom3.10120

This study compared horizontal black disk visibility (BDV), a measure of visual water clarity, to turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in five rivers of the southwestern Ozarks of Arkansas, U.S. to assess its usefulness in evaluating optical water quality. We investigated correlative relationships between BDV vs. turbidity and BDV vs. TSS, and compared them to those reported in similar studies. Our results indicated that replicate measures of horizontal BDV were subject to less error than replicate turbidity (coefficients of variation were 5.0% and 6.4%, respectively), and BDV was more strongly correlated with TSS concentrations than was turbidity (correlations coefficients were -0.97 and 0.92, respectively). We also assessed the validity of the black disk method as a surrogate for TSS concentrations and derived a predictive model for each river in the study. The benefits of the horizontal black disk method are both scientific and practical. Horizontal BDV provides a means of quantifying the beam attenuation coefficient. And, the low cost, ease of use, and usefulness in shallow rivers make the black disk method a versatile tool in water quality assessment. We ultimately conclude that the horizontal black disk method should be added to routine monitoring programs in the U.S., and that it be adopted by public groups involved in volunteer monitoring and water quality communication that may be limited by equipment availability or budget.

• 出版日期2016-10