RESEARCH UNIT
LIMNOLOGY
CONFEDERATION RIVER OF JÚCAR
"SINGULAR AGREEMENT FOR RESEARCH,
STUDY AND CONTROL FOR INITIAL CHARACTERIZATION AND
SPECIAL QUALITY MONITORING
CERTAIN INLAND SECTIONS BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT UNDER enhanced
IN THE SCOPE OF THE
HYDROGRAPHIC CONFEDERATION OF THE
JÚCAR”
Selecting sections susceptible of treatment pilot study.
Under the "singular research agreement, study and control for initial characterization and
special monitoring of the quality of certain river sections subjected to enhanced biological
treatments in the scope of the Hydrographical Confederation of the Júcar " has made a
selection of points amenable to implementation as a pilot of enhanced biological treatment for
regeneration of degraded stream channels with sediment study.
Selection Criteria
Based on a number of criteria, which are listed below, there has been a process of selection of
areas amenable to treatment in the pilot study, with a progressive discarding of riverine areas
based on these criteria to focus treatment on the susceptibility this pilot test in a smaller
number of areas. The criteria used to exclude areas at each stage of selection are diverse, and
as will be seen in each phase takes some more important than others, but in general we can
define the following:
- There is no significant sediment accumulation.
- High flow, which an excessive amount of product would require.
- Water quality is not good enough and treatment lose
- Efficiency because the action would focus not only on the lees.
- The alleged shoddy biological pointing index is not due to the
- Contamination to natural causes (e.g. drying time.).
- The amount and type of pollution accumulated in sediments was not adequate.
- The sections are dried for a period of the year.
- There are currently or have been toxic discharges affecting the stretch.
- Not available upstream portion of a benchmark unaffected by pollution.
- Amount of organic matter degradability of it.
- Search for the best possible environmental heterogeneity between sections, sections
are rejected with similar environmental characteristics
- Accessibility to the treatment
Annex 1 includes, for example, a specimen summary of the data collected for each section.
First stage
For this first screening were used data supplied by the CHJ, consisting of information
available from the ICA network control water quality and the results of network design
biological quality, all relating to in the scope of the Hydrographical Confederation of the
Júcar.
Based on all issues relevant to the physical, chemical and biological water quality
analysis data a preliminary list of 48 points of the river network is provided with this
listing and the information provided at the meeting held at the headquarters of CHJ on
June 13, 2001 with the assistance of D. Henry Correcher, and D. Antonio Yañez by CHJ,
José García by the current contractor, D ª. Ana Pujante as an expert in the biological
quality of rivers, Eduardo Vicente and Antonio Camacho as directors of the study by
professors at the University of Valencia, D. Carlos Rochera and D. Antonio Picazo and
as biologists involved in the working group at the University of Valencia, finally
shortlisted 51 points of the river network in the field of CHJ attending the main criteria
that have been areas historically had produced a degradation of the channel as a result
of discharges of sewage or other impacts (eg. forest fires), but lately you would have
improved the quality of the circulating water.
As a main tool for estimating initial degradation of river sediments biological river
quality indices were used, since in principle these be maintained at values indicative of
poor quality in those areas, despite the improvement of the quality of the circulating
water, the accumulated sediment would remain as the main source of contaminants.
The initial screening after analysing data from about 400 river sections includes the following
sections:
ICA
6
8
52
ICAB
2
4
32
RÍO
MIJARES
MIJARES
PALANCIA
LOCALIDAD
VILLARREAL
RIBESALBES
SOT DE FERRER
55
61
68
69
102
117
35
186
53
55
90
101
PALANCIA
TURIA
TURIA
TURIA
JUCAR
MAGRO
JÉRICA
CHULILLA
TORREBAJA
TERUEL
ALARCON
ALGEMESI
119
120
232
103
MAGRO
MAGRO
TURÍS
MACASTRE
123
125
105
62
MAGRO
ARCOS
AZUD -EL PONTÓN
ARCOS SALINAS
129
131
133
137
69
71
72
74
TUÉJAR
SOT(REATILLO)
SOT(REATILLO)
ALFAMBRA
CALLES
CHULILLA
CHERA (Buseo)
TERUEL
141
107
BUÑOL
ALBORACHE
142
144
108
106
BUÑOL
MADRE
BUÑOL
UTIEL
147
148
149
113
ALBAIDA
ALBAIDA
CAÑOLES
XÁTIVA
MONTABERNER (fuente)
XÁTIVA
150
152
160
165
234
117
125
CÁÑOLES
CLARIANO
GRANDE
MORENO
AYACOR
MONTABERNER
QUESA
AZUD DE BICORP
196
143
GRITOS
VALVERDE DEL JÚCAR
200
145
CHILLARÓN
CUENCA
207
157
SERPIS
LORCHA
208
210
215
216
158
219
165
SERPIS
SERPIS
BULLENS
RACONS
BENIARRÉS
MURO DE ALCOY
OLIVA
DENIA
238
270
275
276
177
33
233
114
VINALOPÓ
PALANCIA
MAGRO
ALBAIDA
BENEJAMA
GELDO
REQUENA (SAN ANTONIO)
BELLUS
277
116
CÁÑOLES
VALLADA
282
306
138
202
CARBONERAS
TARAZONA DE LA MANCHA
327
201
342
118
73
54
GUADAZAÓN
VALDEMEMBRA
XERACO
(VACA)
CLARIANO
SOT(REATILLO)
TURIA
MAGRO
MAGRO
ALBAIDA
ALBAIDA
ALBAIDA
TAVERNES DE VALLDIGNA
ONTENIENTE
REQUENA
VILLEL
UTIEL(Bajo puente de la autopista)
UTIEL (Depuradora de Utiel)
MONTABERNER (estación alerta)
ALBAIDA(puente antes depuradora)
ALBAIDA(depuradora)
Second stage
Having made the initial screening step is to check and, if necessary, sampling each
present points with the intention of verifying the adequacy of the section visited based
on the following criteria:
Presence of sediment suitable for the application of biological treatment Discard the
dried sections for some period of the year.
Based on these criteria, from the existing 51 in Annex 1se shortlisted the following 21
sections:
ICA
ICAB
RÍO
LOCALIDAD
119
120
232
103
MAGRO
MAGRO
TURÍS
MACASTRE
123
133
144
105
72
106
MAGRO
SOT(REATILLO)
MADRE
AZUD -EL PONTÓN
CHERA (Buseo)
UTIEL
150
160
207
234
CÁÑOLES
GRANDE
SERPIS
AYACOR
QUESA
LORCHA
157
210
216
219
165
SERPIS
RACONS
MURO DE ALCOY
DENIA
238
270
275
277
306
177
33
233
116
202
BENEJAMA
GELDO
REQUENA (SAN ANTONIO)
VALLADA
TARAZONA DE LA MANCHA
327
201
VINALOPÓ
PALANCIA
MAGRO
CÁÑOLES
VALDEMEMBRA
XERACO
(VACA)
MAGRO
MAGRO
ALBAIDA
ALBAIDA
ALBAIDA
TAVERNES DE VALLDIGNA
UTIEL(Bajo puente de la autopista)
UTIEL (Depuradora de Utiel)
MONTABERNER (estación alerta)
ALBAIDA(puente antes depuradora)
ALBAIDA(depuradora)
Third stage
After making the visits and shortlisting the 21 tranches, based on the criteria used in
Phase 2 were appropriate for treatment, was intended to limit this list to those with
optimal characteristics for the application of the treatment according to the following
criteria:
Extent of area (estimated volume of sediment to be treated).
Amount of organic matter in sediments (% volatile organic matter, TOC, NT, BOD5 and
COD dichromate).
Degradability of the organic matter (ratio BOD / COD)
Finding the best possible heterogeneity between different selected sections, so that
the conclusions can be extrapolated to the larger number of possible conditions.
Accessibility regarding treatment application under criteria of the data provided by the
contractor.
High flow, which an excessive amount of product would require.
Water quality at present (presence of uncontrolled discharges which may affect
treatment compliance, e.g. additional input of organic matter, presence of toxic in
specific moments and uncontrolled), based on information from the ICA network.
Existence upstream of the selected portion of a benchmark sediment quality that is
suitable for estimating a desirable objective quality after the performance.
Based on these criteria, presented and discussed in the meeting held on May 9, 2002
at the headquarters of the CHJ, and attended Henry D. Correcher by CHJ, José García
and two technicians Analaqua company by the contractor, Antonio Camacho as the
coordinator of the study by the University of Valencia, and D. D. Carlos Antonio Picazo
and Rochera as biologists involved in the working group at the University of Valencia,
settled three categories of susceptibility to treatment: appropriate sections, sections
with reservations feasible and discarded sections.
1. Appropriate Sections:
ICA
207
275
277
306
ICAB
157
233
116
202
RÍO
SERPIS
MAGRO
CÁÑOLES
VALDEMEMBRA
MAGRO
ALBAIDA
LOCALIDAD
LORCHA
REQUENA (SAN ANTONIO)
VALLADA
TARAZONA DE LA MANCHA
UTIEL(Bajo puente-Depuradora)
ALBAIDA(puente antes depuradora)
Serpis River (Lorcha):
This point has a high volume of sediments accumulated mainly along the wall of the
dam and riparian zones, has an acceptable accessibility for both sampling and for the
application of the treatment. In the analysis carried high levels of sediment organic
matter average degradability observed. Besides not having a high water flow and has
an acceptable quality. Several Kms upstream the river has a better quality in the water
and sediment, allowing taking this as a reference point.
For all this section is suitable for the pilot study.
Magro River (San Antonio de Requena):
This point has a high volume of sediments (from industrial and urban sources-wine-and
olive water channel vegetation) in a well-defined area where a ravine that has
historically contributed wastewater arrives, has good accessibility to both sampling to
product application.
In the analysis of the sediment carried high levels of organic matter with good
degradability observed also no high flow.
The water quality has improved, with discharges released (1 year which began
operating the WWTP). Immediately upstream river no better quality, or water or
sediment, keeping these conditions upstream to Mother River stretch in which could
set a benchmark. For all this section is suitable for the pilot study.
Magro River (Utiel - Filter):
This point has a high volume of sediments (urban and industrial origin) in a welldefined area where the sewage poured currently Utiel has good accessibility to both
sampling and for product application. Sediment analyses show high levels of organic
matter with good degradability, not presenting a high flow rate.
The water quality has improved, with discharges released (2 years ago to operate the WWTP).
The Mother River could equally suit as a benchmark in this segment. By this point it is
appropriate for the pilot study.
Cáñoles River (Vallada weir):
This point in a dam the river Cáñoles presents a considerable volume of sediment
(urban and industrial origin Mogente Fenced and with the presence of plant debris
riverside distillery, mill, solvents, varnishes, etc. .....) in an area well defined. The
section has good accessibility to both sampling and for product application. In the
analysis of the sediment carried high levels of organic matter degradability mediumlow and average flow observed tranche visited. Tranche conditions make it suitable for
the pilot study.
Albaida River (Bridge before the WWTP):
This point has a high volume of historical sediments (urban and industrial origin, including Dirty
olive extract slaughterhouse, dyes, etc. ....) in a well-defined to reach a bridge before the filter
of Albaida area for a couple of years working the WWTP. It has good accessibility to both
sampling and for product application. The analyses performed high levels of organic matter are
found in the pellet with good degradability, also are at low flow. The water has an acceptable
quality, discharges released. Upstream in the river there is a section with sediment in good
condition it is taken as reference point, being all suitable for treatment in the pilot study.
Valdemembra River (Tarazona de la Mancha)
This section presents a very high volume of historical sediment in a well-defined area around
the stretch of river from the sewage of Tarazona and over half a mile. The better defined and
more sediment volume area is about 350 meters from the sewage, has good accessibility to
both sampling and for product application.
In the analysis of the sediment carried higher levels of organic matter with good degradability
observed also no high flow.
The water has a good quality, with discharges released. Immediately upstream river no good
quality or water or sediment, but a point that can serve as a reference point be sought. By this
point it is appropriate for the pilot study.
2. Feasible sections with reservations
ICA
ICAB
RÍO
LOCALIDAD
XERACO (VACA)
XERACO
MAGRO
UTIEL - AUTOVIA
120
103
MAGRO
123
105
MAGRO
MACASTRE
AZUD -EL PONTÓN
GRANDE
QUESA
SERPIS
VINALOPÓ
MURO DE ALCOY
ALBAIDA
MONTABERNER (Estación de alerta)
160
210
219
238
177
BENEJAMA
Vaca River (XERACO):
Sediments from urban and agricultural untreated, currently the Edar's of Sheath
Benifairó and Tavernes work. In the vicinity of the mouth there are areas with little
water flow with a sediment layers near the two power meters. According to this
stretch Scientific technical criteria would be appropriate for treatment, although
preferably those selected previously, but their social interest, could make advisable
choice criterion under the direction of the study (CHJ).
Magro River (Utiel - dual carriageway):
This point has a high volume of sediments (urban and industrial origin) in a welldefined area has good accessibility to both sampling and for product application. The
sediment has high levels of organic matter with good degradability, without a high
flow rate.
The water has an acceptable quality, discharges released (two years ago that works
500 meters downstream WWTP) receives sporadic but littering. The Mother River
could equally suit as a benchmark in this segment. By this point it would be
appropriate for the pilot study, however sediment accumulation is not uniform and the
area to be treated not as defined, which penalizes the choice of this point.
Magro River (Macastre):
This point has a high volume of sediment in a well-defined area has good accessibility
to both sampling and for product application. The presence of organic matter with
good degradability observed in sediment analyses performed also no high flow.
The water has an acceptable quality. Upstream the river has a relatively good quality in
both water and sediment. However there are already two points on the river Magro
selected so this, in which the problem of sediment contamination is not as
pronounced, is no longer booking.
Magro River (weir - Ponton):
At this point a lot of historical sediments (urban and industrial of various types, dregs,
tanneries, etc. ....) with organic matter and toxic potential is observed, is the presence
of toxic and that there are two points already selected in the Magro river leaving this
section as potentially usable but in reserve.
Grande River (Quesa):
This point has a high volume of sediment (dregs and urban, with more than 15 years
old, from collectors untreated population makes up just began operating the WWTP.)
In a well-defined area, has a good accessibility to both sampling and for the application
of the treatment. In the analysis of the sediment carried high levels of organic matter
are observed with good degradability. Furthermore, the flow rate is low.
The water has an acceptable quality; the only landfill is receiving the treatment plant.
Before this spill about 300 meters upstream the river has good quality in water and
sediment, allowing taking this as a reference point. By this point it was very suitable for
the pilot study.
But recent rains have led to a crawl much of the accumulated sediment, so after
further inspection of the area to assess what happened the previous rating changes, as
optimal stretch, now doing these circumstances discourage their choice.
Serpis River (Muro de Alcoy):
Despite having a high volume of sediments (urban and industrial waste, textiles,
vegetable water, trash), with high levels of organic matter, and is easily accessible, the
water that reaches it is not of acceptable quality for the study to carry out is present
(WWTP's of Alcoy and Font de la Pedra have overload problems) as part of the product
would be wasted with input and with no sediment.
Vinalopó River (Benejama):
The location of this point is that of a nearly clogged with organic sediments with a
medium to low weir degradability, and in which the main problem is attributable to
the lack of a water layer important enough to not produce a high degree of desiccation
at some point experience to counsel rejected.
These sediments are mainly from urban and industrial sources (industrial oils, paper
and tissues), these contributions in more or less continue representing yet another
problem to study.
Albaida River (Montaberner - Season alert):
This point has a sufficient volume of sediment in a well-defined area has good
accessibility to both sampling and for product application. In the analysis carried
sediment organic matter average levels with a mean half-degradability and high flow
are observed.
Water quality is conditioned to the proper functioning of the treatment plant
Montaberner, which poured about 100 meters upstream and discharges of rivers
Clariano Albaida and both have problems receiving WWTP discharges with difficult
treatment of influent industrial origin.
3. Discarded sections
RÍO
MAGRO
ICA
119
ICAB
232
133
72
SOT(REATILLO)
144
106
MADRE
LOCALIDAD
TURÍS
CHERA (Cola del embalse de
Buseo)
UTIEL
150
216
270
234
165
33
CÁÑOLES
RACONS
PALANCIA
ALBAIDA
AYACOR
DENIA
GELDO
ALBAIDA(depuradora)
Magro River (Turis):
This section presents a large volume of sediment clog the passage of the river through
a bridge-speed bump. This fact entails the need to derive almost completely the flow
of water through a side ditch, so that, although the analysis performed confirm the
existence of organic sediment in this point, the minimum amount of water retained by
the natural course strongly discouraged conducting experience.
Sot River (Chera - Cola Buseo reservoir):
Sediment deposition presented in this section is associated with typical sediment
logical processes of reservoirs and their content of organic compounds is too low to
require an act of this nature. To this must be added the wide fluctuation in water level
in the reservoir area, which might impede the normal development of the
performance.
Mother River (Utiel):
Presents a timely manner with points accumulated proportions of organic compounds
that would justify application of the treatment, but the absolute volume of treatable
sediment is too small. This point seems more into the role of reference point for
potential applications carried out in tranches more lowly on the Magro River.
Cáñoles River (Ayacor):
This point has a high volume of sediment in a well-defined area, has good accessibility
to both sampling and for the application of the treatment. In the analysis of the
sediment carried high levels of organic matter are observed with an unsatisfactory
degradability, most likely due to the existence of toxic and / or the type of organic
matter in sediments (with WWTP Canals and continuous problems tanneries, textile
dyes) that associated with poor water quality industries strongly discouraged
application of treatment in this section at the stage of pilot study.
Racons River (Dénia):
The volume of sediment in this section is very important, with a high percentage of
organic compounds, the degradability of which is probably too low because of their
origin (urban and agricultural discharges Pego, surplus irrigation, as well as the
decomposition of plant residues from their environment). You’re selected in part for
their obvious interested saline character, which provide greater amplitude of the test
conditions.
However, the main criticism of the actions in this section is its inclusion in a protected
area due to bureaucratic obstacles that lead to design a performance at this point.
Palancia River (Geldo):
The area of fine sediments of this section, with average content of organic matter,
which could be of interest, is restricted to the output of a ditch where the channel flow
is retained and not be a circumstance extrapolated to the rest of the channel, where
the gravel bed is the water flow and prevents the deposition of fine sediments.
Abaida River (Weir - WWTP):
Weir clogged with sediments of different grain size, with dark organic matter and
odors, comes trawl urban and industrial discharges Albaida until commissioning of the
WWTP a couple of years ago. However, the main sediment accumulation is upstream
on the bridge has been selected as a suitable stage.
VBº
The Head of Prof. Dr. Antonio Camacho
I Quality Control Research Unit Limnology
ANEXO 1