Toxic Flood Pollution Devastates Reservoir, Threatening Drinking Water for Millions
The Yuqiao Reservoir Water Quality Model was created to study water pollution from agriculture during floods. By using a special computer model, researchers found that the reservoir's water quality was affected by chemicals and nutrients from farms during a 12-day flood in 2009. The levels of certain pollutants like chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen increased significantly during this time. The model also showed that the reservoir was not lacking in nitrogen, which can affect plant growth in the water. The study suggests that managing agricultural pollution during floods is important for keeping the reservoir clean. The Yuqiao Reservoir Water Quality Model can help authorities make better decisions about protecting the water in the reservoir.