Practical Application of the Results for Optically Measured Total Suspended Solids Concentrations in the Drava River

Abstract

The investigations described in this paper were performed in order to determine whether the concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) in the Drava River, Slovenia, measured indirectly with optical sensors can be used to determine the amount and particle size of the suspended solids that can settle in stagnant water. The possibility of continuous monitoring of the TSS concentrations would allow a more reliable estimate of the amount of sediment in the accumulation lake of the planned, pumped-storage, hydroelectric power plant into which the water from the Drava River will be pumped. Therefore, during a period of one year, 90 water samples were taken directly at the optical sensors. The amount of sediments and their mineral and chemical compositions were investigated, and particle size analyses were made in 15 samples. Microbiological parameters, which included a determination of the amount of phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, fungi and organic debris, were investigated in all the water samples, and the temperature and pH of the water were measured at the time when the samples were collected. The comparison of the parameters examined with the TSS concentrations showed that these concentrations can serve as a very good estimate of the amount of particles settled in the standing water, as well as of their size. These correlations are clearly expressed in the cases where the amounts of phytoplankton and organic debris in the water are low.