Investigation on quality of water of jajrood and karaj rivers for recreation uses

Subject Areas : environmental management

Ali Torabian ¹ , Amir hessam Hassani ² , Samira Izad panah ³

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Received: 2007-08-13 Accepted : 2007-10-09 Published : 2011-06-22

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Abstract :

Karaj and Jajrood rivers are two major rivers in our country and they are suitable for fishing, swimming and other water sports activities. In recent year, young enthusiasts of water sports have been increased because of young generation of our country. In this research, the results of monthly tests reports (Tehran wastewater and water laboratory) including physical, chemical, bacteriological, rare pollutants (heavy metals) tests surveyed in twenty stations of Karaj River and twenty-three stations of Jajrood River from April 2002 to March 2003. On the basis of comparing of stations data with approved recreation activities standards in different countries and current comparative parameters, determining recreational status of mentioned rivers due to water quality has been achieved. The researches on recreational activities have recognized considerable indices of the related standards for primary contact (direct) and secondary contact (indirect) such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, excrement coli form and total coli form. In general, this study shows that physical and chemical parameters seem to have fewer problems than the others. It is important to note that contamination of both rivers such as excremental coli form, total coli form and excremental streptococcus is higher than recreation standards. In fact, the maximum contaminant level has detected in Jajrood River because of the municipality waste water (household toilets) discharges. The mentioned indices are the measurement resources for recreational activities in the world especially in Iran. The level of contaminants in the water of both rivers exceeds the related standards which results not being suitable and applicable for primary recreation (swimming, bathing and diving) and secondary recreation (Windsurfing, Power Boating, and fishing).