Title: Effect of non-point source runoff and urban sewage on Yaque del Norte River in Dominican Republic

Authors: Peter Phillips, F. Arturo Russell, John Turner

Addresses: Department of Biology, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29733, USA. ' Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, Republica Dominicana. ' Department of Biology, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29733, USA

Abstract: A Yaque del Norte, Dominican Republic watershed survey monitored dissolved oxygen, eutrophication from point and non-point sources, and high conductivity resulting from agricultural runoff. The upper mainly forested watershed had good water quality except for untreated sewage from the city of Jarabacoa. The mid-watershed had a deforested landscape, mixed agriculture and the city of Santiago contributing nitrogen and phosphorus. The lower watershed had extensively-irrigated agriculture resulting in appreciably higher conductivity, as well as high nitrogen and phosphorus. Sedimentation from erosion is evident throughout the watershed. Managing the river|s land and water resources for all stakeholders is critical.

Keywords: surface water quality; nitrogen; phosphorus; dissolved oxygen; turbidity; non-point source runoff; point sources; irrigation; Yaque del Norte River; Dominican Republic; urban sewage; eutrophication; high conductivity; agricultural runoff; sedimentation; land management; water management; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2007.016494

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2007 Vol.31 No.3/4, pp.244 - 266

Published online: 03 Jan 2008 *

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