Scholarlink

<p>Wastewater-driven degradation of river systems is an increasing water security challenge in rapidly urbanizing and climate-sensitive regions of the Global South. This study evaluates the hydrochemical condition of surface water in the Kabul River Basin, Pakistan, and links field-based water quality assessment with GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation and climate-linked water security implications. Surface water samples were collected from selected sites along the Kabul River and its confluence zones and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, chloride, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results were compared with Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) and World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed considerable spatial variability in EC, TDS, magnesium, total hardness, BOD, and COD, indicating localized hydrochemical stress across the basin. The pH values ranged from 4.79 to 7.18, showing acidic to near-neutral conditions, while magnesium exceeded the permissible limit in most samples. Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong negative relationship between pH and TDS (r = −&#xa0;0.71), while recalculated total hardness showed a strong dependence on magnesium concentration, confirming the major role of magnesium in hardness formation within the analysed river water samples. A GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation was used to classify sampling locations into low, moderate, and high priority zones based on hydrochemical deviations and pollution-sensitive parameters. The findings suggest that wastewater discharge, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and site-specific hydrological conditions contribute to surface water deterioration in the Kabul River Basin. Under climate-linked low-flow conditions, reduced dilution capacity may further intensify pollutant concentrations and increase risks to freshwater security, ecosystem health, and downstream water users. This study provides a broader framework for linking hydrochemical monitoring, GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation, and climate-sensitive river basin management in wastewater-impacted regions.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Wastewater-driven hydrochemical degradation, GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation, and climate-linked water security risks in the Kabul River Basin, Pakistan

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月1日

查看全文
  • Salman Khan

摘要

Wastewater-driven degradation of river systems is an increasing water security challenge in rapidly urbanizing and climate-sensitive regions of the Global South. This study evaluates the hydrochemical condition of surface water in the Kabul River Basin, Pakistan, and links field-based water quality assessment with GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation and climate-linked water security implications. Surface water samples were collected from selected sites along the Kabul River and its confluence zones and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, chloride, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results were compared with Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) and World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed considerable spatial variability in EC, TDS, magnesium, total hardness, BOD, and COD, indicating localized hydrochemical stress across the basin. The pH values ranged from 4.79 to 7.18, showing acidic to near-neutral conditions, while magnesium exceeded the permissible limit in most samples. Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong negative relationship between pH and TDS (r = − 0.71), while recalculated total hardness showed a strong dependence on magnesium concentration, confirming the major role of magnesium in hardness formation within the analysed river water samples. A GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation was used to classify sampling locations into low, moderate, and high priority zones based on hydrochemical deviations and pollution-sensitive parameters. The findings suggest that wastewater discharge, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and site-specific hydrological conditions contribute to surface water deterioration in the Kabul River Basin. Under climate-linked low-flow conditions, reduced dilution capacity may further intensify pollutant concentrations and increase risks to freshwater security, ecosystem health, and downstream water users. This study provides a broader framework for linking hydrochemical monitoring, GIS-supported vulnerability interpretation, and climate-sensitive river basin management in wastewater-impacted regions.