Key Issues for Water Quality Monitoring in the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique in the Context of Mining Development
Affiliation(s)
1 Water Resources Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. 2 Faculty of Engineering, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
1 Water Resources Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. 2 Faculty of Engineering, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
ABSTRACT
Zambezi River Basin is located in Southern Africa. It is essential for the economy of its eight riparian countries. The delta and almost 11% of its total catchment area are located in Mozambique. The main stream of the river receives a run-off contribution of 1800 m3/s in Mozambique and reaches the ocean with a flow of about 4100 m3/s. Coal mining is developing fast in the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique due to favourable geological conditions. The coal mining and other activities have an impact on the surface and groundwater quality of the river basin. ARA-Zambeze is the river basin organization responsible for the water quality monitoring in Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique. In spite of limited resources ARA-Zambeze performs surveillance monitoring, while the institutions influencing the water quality of the river are doing operational monitoring. In this paper a monitoring system for the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique is proposed. The system includes two alternative monitoring procedures. One procedure considers improvement of the current situation, which is characterized by multiple actors doing monitoring in isolation, by standardizing the analytical methods and improving data sharing through a web-based reporting system. The other proposed monitoring procedure considers a centralized approach, by having a consulting company doing the monitoring for the whole river basin in Mozambique. The second option has the advantages of improving consistency and comparability of the data, thereby allowing for more accurate trend analyses. It is concluded that the best way forward is to implement the first procedure and slowly move to the second.
Zambezi River Basin is located in Southern Africa. It is essential for the economy of its eight riparian countries. The delta and almost 11% of its total catchment area are located in Mozambique. The main stream of the river receives a run-off contribution of 1800 m3/s in Mozambique and reaches the ocean with a flow of about 4100 m3/s. Coal mining is developing fast in the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique due to favourable geological conditions. The coal mining and other activities have an impact on the surface and groundwater quality of the river basin. ARA-Zambeze is the river basin organization responsible for the water quality monitoring in Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique. In spite of limited resources ARA-Zambeze performs surveillance monitoring, while the institutions influencing the water quality of the river are doing operational monitoring. In this paper a monitoring system for the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique is proposed. The system includes two alternative monitoring procedures. One procedure considers improvement of the current situation, which is characterized by multiple actors doing monitoring in isolation, by standardizing the analytical methods and improving data sharing through a web-based reporting system. The other proposed monitoring procedure considers a centralized approach, by having a consulting company doing the monitoring for the whole river basin in Mozambique. The second option has the advantages of improving consistency and comparability of the data, thereby allowing for more accurate trend analyses. It is concluded that the best way forward is to implement the first procedure and slowly move to the second.
Cite this paper
Nhantumbo, C. , Larsson, R. , Juízo, D. and Larson, M. (2015) Key Issues for Water Quality Monitoring in the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique in the Context of Mining Development. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 430-447. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.75035.
Nhantumbo, C. , Larsson, R. , Juízo, D. and Larson, M. (2015) Key Issues for Water Quality Monitoring in the Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique in the Context of Mining Development. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 430-447. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.75035.
References
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http://education.usgs.gov/lessons/africa/act1_arcgis.html [7] SADC-WD/Zambezi River Authority (2007) Rapid Assessment Final Report—Integrated Water Resources Managment Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin. Euro Conultant Mott MacDonalds, Lusaka. [8] Hipolito, J.R. and Vaz, A.C. (2011) Hidrologia e Recursos Hidricos. Editora Universitaria do Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa. [9] ARA-Zambeze (2014) Administracao Regional de Aguas do Zambeze, 2014.
http://www.arazambeze.gov.mz/ [10] ARA-Zambeze (2012) Balanco Anual de Actividades. ARA-Zambeze, Tete. [11] Vale Mocambique Lda (2010) Estudo de Impacto Ambiental do Complexo Industrial de Moatize em Expansao; Volume-II Caracterizacao da Situacao de Referencia. Vale Mocambique, Maputo. [12] Bills, R. (1999) An Inventory of Fishes from the Lower Zambezi River, Mozambique. JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown. [13] Kirchhoff, C. and Bulkley, J. (2008) Sustainable Water Management in the Zambezi River Basin. Journal of International Institute, 15, 10. [14] MacDonald, M. (2012) Mott MacDonald.
http://www.environment.mottmac.com/projects/?mode=type&id=149669 [15] ZAMCOM (2005) Zambezi Watercourse Commission.
http://www.zambezicommission.org/about.php [16] Alexandre, E. (2012) Potencial para a Producao Adicional de Carvao na Regiao Norte de Mocambique. Ministerio dos Recursos Minerais—Direccao Nacional de Minas, Maputo. [17] RM (2012) Radio Mocambique.
http://www.rm.co.mz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id
=2610:tete-quatro-novas-multinacionais-iniciam-
exploracao-do-carvao&catid=3:breves&Itemid=370 [18] Vasconselhos, L. (2009) PUCRIS—Pontificia Universidade Catolia do Rio Grande do Sul.
http://www.pucrs.br/cepac/download/3SGC/Lopo_Vasconcelos__
Coal_in_Mozambique.pdf [19] Dharmappa, H.B., Sivakumar, M. and Singh, R.N. (2002) Wastewater Characteristics, Management and Reuse in Mining Processing Industries. In: Vigneswaran, S., Ed., Wastewater Recycle, Reuse and Reclamation, EBook, 337-371.
http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c07/e2-14-02-06.pdf [20] ELAW (2010) Overview of Mining and Its Impacts. In: Guidebook for Evaluating Mining Project, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, Eugene, 8-9. [21] Office of Water, Engineering and Analysis Division (2000) Coal Mining Best Management Practices Guidance. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC. [22] Inter-Ministerial Committee (2010) Mine Water Management in the Witwatersrand Gold Fields with Special Emphasis on Acid Mine Drainage. Inter-Ministerial Committee, South Africa. [23] Jennings, R.S., Neuma, D.R. and Blicker, P.S. (2008) Acid Mine Drainage and Effects on Fish Health and Ecology: A Review. Reclamation Reseach Group Publication, Bozeman, MT. [24] WMO (2013) Planning of Water-Quality Monitoring Systems. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva. [25] Kusek, J.Z. and Rist, R.C. (2004) Ten Steps to a Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System. World Bank, Washington DC.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/0-8213-5823-5 [26] AWRA (2004) Seeking a Common Framework for Water Quality Monitoring. American Water Resources Association, New York. [27] Peter, C.A. and Ward, R.C. (2004) A Framework for “Constructing” Water Quality Monitoring Programs. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 3-7. [28] Spooner, C.S. and Mallard, G.E. (2004) Identify Monitoring Objectives. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 11-13. [29] Oslen, A.R. and Robertson, D.M. (2004) Monitoring Design. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 14-16. [30] Wild, F., Brass, H.J. and Diamond, J. (2004) Data Collection: Field and Laboratory Methods. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 17-21. [31] Klima, K.S., Lanfear, K.F. and McCarron, E. (2004) Water Quality Data Management. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 22-24. [32] Helsel, D.L. and Griffith, L.M. (2004) Assess and Interpret Data. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 25-29. [33] Ambrose, M., Arkowitz, A.M. and Job, C. (2004) Conveying Results and Findings. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 30-32. [34] IWRM Plan Joint Venture Namibia (2010) Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for Namibia. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forest, Windhoek. [35] EPA (2014) Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.ie/water/watmg/wfd/#.VBB25_mSyhs [36] EPA (2006) Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford.
[1] Besharati, N.A. (2012) Raising Mozambique: Developing Through Coal. Governance of Africa’s Resources Programme. [2] World Bank (2009) Bacia do Rio Zambeze—Analise de Oportunidades de Investimento Multissectorial. Banco Mundial,Gestao de Recursos Hidricos, Regiao de Africa, Washigton DC. [3] KPMG (2013) Mozambique—Mining Country Guide. KPMG, Maputo. [4] Nascimento, F.M.F., Mendonca, R.M.G., Macedo, M.I.F. and Soares, P.S.M. (2014) Impactos Ambientais nos Recursos Hidricos da Exploraao do Carvao em Santa Catarina. Servico Geologico do Brasil, Santa Catarina. [5] WWF (2011) Coal and Water Futures in South Africa: A Case for Conserve Headwaters in the Enkangala Grassland. World Wide Fund, Cape Town. [6] USGS (2012) USGS Education.
http://education.usgs.gov/lessons/africa/act1_arcgis.html [7] SADC-WD/Zambezi River Authority (2007) Rapid Assessment Final Report—Integrated Water Resources Managment Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin. Euro Conultant Mott MacDonalds, Lusaka. [8] Hipolito, J.R. and Vaz, A.C. (2011) Hidrologia e Recursos Hidricos. Editora Universitaria do Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa. [9] ARA-Zambeze (2014) Administracao Regional de Aguas do Zambeze, 2014.
http://www.arazambeze.gov.mz/ [10] ARA-Zambeze (2012) Balanco Anual de Actividades. ARA-Zambeze, Tete. [11] Vale Mocambique Lda (2010) Estudo de Impacto Ambiental do Complexo Industrial de Moatize em Expansao; Volume-II Caracterizacao da Situacao de Referencia. Vale Mocambique, Maputo. [12] Bills, R. (1999) An Inventory of Fishes from the Lower Zambezi River, Mozambique. JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown. [13] Kirchhoff, C. and Bulkley, J. (2008) Sustainable Water Management in the Zambezi River Basin. Journal of International Institute, 15, 10. [14] MacDonald, M. (2012) Mott MacDonald.
http://www.environment.mottmac.com/projects/?mode=type&id=149669 [15] ZAMCOM (2005) Zambezi Watercourse Commission.
http://www.zambezicommission.org/about.php [16] Alexandre, E. (2012) Potencial para a Producao Adicional de Carvao na Regiao Norte de Mocambique. Ministerio dos Recursos Minerais—Direccao Nacional de Minas, Maputo. [17] RM (2012) Radio Mocambique.
http://www.rm.co.mz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id
=2610:tete-quatro-novas-multinacionais-iniciam-
exploracao-do-carvao&catid=3:breves&Itemid=370 [18] Vasconselhos, L. (2009) PUCRIS—Pontificia Universidade Catolia do Rio Grande do Sul.
http://www.pucrs.br/cepac/download/3SGC/Lopo_Vasconcelos__
Coal_in_Mozambique.pdf [19] Dharmappa, H.B., Sivakumar, M. and Singh, R.N. (2002) Wastewater Characteristics, Management and Reuse in Mining Processing Industries. In: Vigneswaran, S., Ed., Wastewater Recycle, Reuse and Reclamation, EBook, 337-371.
http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c07/e2-14-02-06.pdf [20] ELAW (2010) Overview of Mining and Its Impacts. In: Guidebook for Evaluating Mining Project, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, Eugene, 8-9. [21] Office of Water, Engineering and Analysis Division (2000) Coal Mining Best Management Practices Guidance. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC. [22] Inter-Ministerial Committee (2010) Mine Water Management in the Witwatersrand Gold Fields with Special Emphasis on Acid Mine Drainage. Inter-Ministerial Committee, South Africa. [23] Jennings, R.S., Neuma, D.R. and Blicker, P.S. (2008) Acid Mine Drainage and Effects on Fish Health and Ecology: A Review. Reclamation Reseach Group Publication, Bozeman, MT. [24] WMO (2013) Planning of Water-Quality Monitoring Systems. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva. [25] Kusek, J.Z. and Rist, R.C. (2004) Ten Steps to a Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System. World Bank, Washington DC.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/0-8213-5823-5 [26] AWRA (2004) Seeking a Common Framework for Water Quality Monitoring. American Water Resources Association, New York. [27] Peter, C.A. and Ward, R.C. (2004) A Framework for “Constructing” Water Quality Monitoring Programs. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 3-7. [28] Spooner, C.S. and Mallard, G.E. (2004) Identify Monitoring Objectives. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 11-13. [29] Oslen, A.R. and Robertson, D.M. (2004) Monitoring Design. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 14-16. [30] Wild, F., Brass, H.J. and Diamond, J. (2004) Data Collection: Field and Laboratory Methods. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 17-21. [31] Klima, K.S., Lanfear, K.F. and McCarron, E. (2004) Water Quality Data Management. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 22-24. [32] Helsel, D.L. and Griffith, L.M. (2004) Assess and Interpret Data. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 25-29. [33] Ambrose, M., Arkowitz, A.M. and Job, C. (2004) Conveying Results and Findings. Water Resources IMPACT (American Water Resources Association), 5, 30-32. [34] IWRM Plan Joint Venture Namibia (2010) Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for Namibia. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forest, Windhoek. [35] EPA (2014) Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.ie/water/watmg/wfd/#.VBB25_mSyhs [36] EPA (2006) Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford.