Short Version Thesis
Short Version Thesis
Short Version Thesis
IN MONGOLIA
By
Main Supervisor
Professor KUBO NARITAKA
Direct Supervisor
Associate Professor YOSHIKO KAWABATA
July, 2007
Acknowledgements
Previously, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people of Japan and Japan International
Cooperation Center (JICE) for providing me the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource
Development Scholarship (JDS 2005 – 2007). I am thankful to the government of Mongolia for
trusting and giving me this opportunity to study in Japan for my master degree. I would like to extend
my sincere gratitude to the reviewers and many people who made this Master’s thesis possible. I am
very grateful to Professor NARITAKA KUBO for all his thoughtful research orientations, precious
recommendations, discussions and study times for my research thesis. Special thanks go to my direct
supervisor Ms. YOSHIKO KAWABATA who always challenges me, gives me her precious guidance
and direction, valuable feedbacks and provided all laboratory equipments and necessary materials that
this thesis would have not been possible without all these and her sincere supports. I am also very
thankful to the staffs in the International Students Centers in the campuses of Fuchu and Koganei for
their kind supports. My sincere thanks also go to my laboratory students who always have given a
valuable advices and comments on my works and who always keep encouraging me. Last but not
least, special thanks go to my family who always help me to complete my study by supporting various
ways. I am thankful to all of you.
ii
Abstract
Conservation of water quality is inherently tied to watershed management. Efforts to protect Lake
Baikal have increasingly focused on the Selenge river, a major tributary, with more than half its
watershed area in Mongolia. Placer gold mining in Mongolia is introducing fine sediment and posing a
potential threat to the quality of Lake Baikal and to the endangered Taimen salmon. The Orkhon river
and its tributaries as Yeroo, Shariin, Kharaa and Tuul rivers in north central Mongolia were surveyed
for major ion and heavy metals concentrations where gold and coal mining is under operation near to
the river beds. Of 12 rivers including small streams sampled, Tuul river, in the capital city, showed a
noticeable distributed and higher concentration of ammonium ion and manganese elements especially
near to the downstream area that is due to growth in urbanization and industrial activities in capital
city Ulaanbaatar. However, the survey on Tuul river and other rivers need to be re-examined in a
seasonal change.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii
ABSTRACT----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii
iv
iv
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS
13
5.1. CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
APPENDIXES
v
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Orkhon river and its tributaries in the Selenge watershed area ---------------------------- 5
vi
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Sampling site and field data description along Orkhon river and its tributaries --------- 9
Table 2 Sampling site and field data description along Amu-Darya river -------------------------11
Table 3 Major ion concentration in drinking water along the Amu-Darya river ----------------- 12
Table 4 Sampling site description and field data along Orkhon river and its tributaries -------- 13
vii
LIST OF SYMBOLS
Major ions
K+ Potassium ion
Heavy metals
Cr Chromium
Cd Cadmium
Cu Copper
Cs Cesium
Fe Iron
Mn Manganese
Ni Nickel
Th Thorium
viii
U Uranium
Zn Zinc
T (º C) Temperature
Measurement Units
km kilometer
mm millimeter
µm micrometer
ml milliliter
ix
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL
AOB
In this chapter I will present the statement of problems, objectives of research and finally the scope
Exploration of natural resources has been Mongolia’s most important industry and nation’s single
most reliable source of revenue since 1992 when former Soviet Union ceased its assistance of raw
materials to the animal products industries in Mongolia. In this way, the government started to explore
for the natural reserves in order to sustain country’s economy and several regions are considered to
have potential reserves to be exploited. However, those are mostly closer to rivers or river beds,
imposing an immediate threat to the environment especially to the rivers. Inadequate mining
technologies by growing companies in mining were observed large and illustrated by excessive
extraction of gold-bearing gravels and sands, poor designed pumps and wash plants, improper settling
pond, its operation and location, tailings and topsoil storage, river diversion and environmental
Three major sites under extensive mining activities exist in the north central Mongolia comprising
major water resource network of the country and in the internationally known Selenge watershed area
that discharges to Lake Baikal recognized as worlds’ biggest freshwater lake. Russian researchers
claim that this recent and accelerating placer gold mining activity within Selenge river floodplain has
been introducing large quantities of the sediment into the water. This sediment poses a potential threat
to the water quality of Lake Baikal and to the Siberian Taimen (Hucho taimen taimen), to the world’s
largest salmon and the endangered Baikal Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii baicalensis).
1
Most importantly, quality of the Orkhon river, in the Selenge watershed, will have an immediate
impact on human health issues if pollution may occur. Because, family farms with Mongolian
traditional cattle breeding life style usually live near to river and use the river water as their drinking
water purpose directly. And family farms live near to rivers or lakes and especially in summer when
quite high pollution loads can come to the rivers. Although some researches made about Selenge river,
1. Research about natural surface water quality and its condition in the rivers of north central
Mongolia
2. Conduct a water quality assessment on major ion and heavy metals concentrations in the Orkhon
river and its tributaries as Yeroo, Shariin, Kharaa, Boroo and Tuul rivers
3. Compare Mongolian data on major ion concentration with data of Uzbekistan in order to get a
In this study, Orkhon river and its tributaries from its eastern part as Yeroo, Shariin, Kharaa, Boroo
and Tuul rivers water are sampled for the major ion and heavy metals concentration analysis. Field trip
was held during March and April of 2007 when it was the beginning of spring snowmelt. Therefore,
rivers discharge was not as normal as during summer or autumn period and flow rate is not considered.
2
Tributaries from western side of Orkhon river as Eg and Hyalganat rivers were not able to be sampled
due to the icy and slide road condition to cross the Orkhon river during this period.
Also, natural conditions and some other parameters as biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen
B. Myagmarjav and G. Davaa (1999) described rivers in Mongolia have a closer tendency to world’s
fresh water criteria with order Ca2+> Mg2+> Na++K+ and HCO3->SO42->Cl- based on the research data
P. Kelderman and P. Batima (2003) demonstrated the distribution of individual ions cations followed
the order Ca2+> Na++K+ >Mg2+; for anions: HCO3->SO42->Cl- based on his 2001-2003 research. The
rivers in Mongolia can generally be classified as “clean” or “of acceptable quality” except Tuul river
water quality can be classified as “acceptable” to “moderately polluted”. Tuul river showed a clean
deterioration of the water quality over the period 1980 – 1990, due to the growth in urbanization and
industrial activities.
A. Stubblefield (2005) indicated the large-scale assessment during 2001 – 2003 of water quality for
rivers flowing into the Selenge in the noth-central Mongolia has excellent water quality for Kharaa and
Eg rivers. The Yeroo and Tuul rivers, both under extensively mining, showed higher concentrations of
3
P. Batima (2002) described the Orhon river is the only river in Mongolia where increasing sulphate,
nitrate and phosphate concentrations have been observed in the last two decades.
the concentration of zinc and chromium in the arms of Selenge river exceeds the concentration.
O. Bolormaa (2006) demonstrated the heavy metals along the Boroo river showed higher
concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and As in the downstream of the river which can be explained that
dilution, precipitation, adsorption to sediments and local anthropogenic input for the metal
Satoshi Murao, Kazuki Naito, Gunchin Dejidmaa and Soey H. Sie (2006) demonstrated Boroo area
always contains some amount of primary mercury which is considered to be released to the
In this chapter I will present features about Orkhon river basin in Mongolia and Amu-Darya river
4
Orkhon river, the longest river with 1124 kilometer, is headed from the northeastern side of Khangai
Range in the north western part of Mongolia and passes through steppe mountainous and steppe area
through several provinces. It has watershed area of 132 855 km 2 and discharges to Selenge river near
the border with Russian Federation in the north of Mongolia. Tributaries are Tuul, Boroo, Kharaa,
Shariin and Yeroo rivers and they are all headed from the Khentii Range in the north eastern part of
Mongolia with the watershed area of 49,840 km 2, 15,050 km2 and 11,800 km2 respectively. Tuul river
is 704 kilometer long, passing through the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, flows to the southward and
curves to the north and then discharges to the Orkhon river. (Figure 1).
Selenge Yeroo
Shariin
Orkhon
Kharaa
1124 m
Boroo
Ulaanbaatar
Tuul
Figure 1. Orkhon river and its tributaries in the Selenge watershed area.
5
Upper catchment area of Orkhon river is mainly covered by forest plantation and extensive pasture
land. There is a low population density and has no direct anthropogenic point pollution. Major arable
farming area is located in the lower catchment area with higher population density than upper area.
The majority of the agricultural area for cropping is located in this part of the river basin. Fertilizer
application to arable land in Mongolia is low compared to the some other countries where arable land
is well developed. The total application of fertilizers is on average 30-40 kilogram per hectare. Mainly
chemical fertilizers such as ammonium, nitrate, double super phosphate and potassium chloride are
used.
Orkhon river and its tributaries flow through several provinces as Bulgan, Orkhon, Darkhan Uul,
Selenge, Kharkhorin in Ovorkhangai and Tuv. About sixty percent of population live around this area
accounting for 1,362,292 people out of 2,533,445 as of 2005. Traditional cattle breeding activities of
horses, goats and sheep are carried out extensively in this area and they usually live near to the rivers.
Most importantly, they use river water as their drinking water purpose directly and indirectly.
Amu-Darya river is one of the two main tributaries to the Aral Sea extending about 2550 kilometer
from its headwaters in the high mountains of Afghanistan and Tadzhikistan. It is one of the most
important water resources for Uzbekistan. (Figure 2). Karakalpakstan, the motherland of Karakalpaks
with capital city Nukus, is located around the Aral Seas on the east, south and west sides in the north
western part of Uzbekistan. The Khorezm region of Uzbekistan, situated downstream on the Amu-
Darya, along its left bank, to the south-east of Karakalpakstan and to the north of Turkmenistan, shares
6
Figure 2. Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Khorezm region covers an area of 6,300 square kilometer, which had the most productive and
fertile land with the best conditions for growing cotton, rice, melons, tomatoes, fruits and vegetables
with large-scale irrigation during former Soviet time. Due to great increase in irrigation and the use of
pesticides has led to both a lack of water and drinking water contamination.
Irrigation covers about 1.2 million hectares in the lower Amu-Darya area where there are about 2.7
million inhabitants. About 40 percent of the population live in this area and has no access to piped
water systems. In rural area, the most common form of water supply is the hand pump. In north
western Uzbekistan, people have been drinking water from the Amu-Darya river since the Soviet Era.
The Soviet Government banned drinking groundwater in this area due to the pollution but built canals
7
Central Asia, as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan, is well known as an area for mineral
production, and served as a source of minerals including uranium for the Soviet Union since 1940s.
They played a key role in the development of weapons of mass destruction. And uranium was
extracted throughout the region and shipped to uranium enrichment facilities in other parts of the
Soviet Union and later incorporated into nuclear weapons. Large-scale uranium mining and milling
facilities are located in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan and also Soviet Union’s largest field
test site for biological weapons was on a peninsula, in the Aral Sea. Chemical weapons were
In this chapter I will present the materials and methodologies used for water sampling, major ion
Water samples were collected from Orkhon river and its four tributaries as Tuul, Kharaa, Shariin and
Yeroo rivers during 19 March and 8 April, 2007. The global position of each sampling spot was
determined by using a GARMIN Portable Global Positioning System. The sampling site and field
8
K3 24/Mar/ 48 53 267 106 05 896 0 7.2 7.5 7.5 Baruunkhara
2007 a
K4 26/Mar/ 48 53 574 106 04 898 0 7.2 7.5 7.0 Baruunkhara
2007 a
K5 26/Mar/ 49 29 311 105 53 694 0 7.2 7.5 7.0 Darkhan
2007
B1 26/Mar/ 48 27 932 106 16 158 0 7.2 7.9 7.5 Bornuur
2007
B2 24/Mar/ 48 47 530 106 17 062 0 7.2 7.5 7.5 Zuunkharaa
2007
B3 24/Mar/ 48 27 721 106 12 204 0 7.2 7.5 7.5 Bornuur
2007
B4 26/Mar/ 48 23 583 106 12 642 1 7.2 7.5 7.5 Bornuur
2007
S1 31/Mar/ 49 33 333 106 15 481 0 7.2 7.5 7.5 Darkhan
2007
S3 31/Mar/ 49 33 342 106 15 474 0 6.9 7.5 7.0 Darkhan
2007
S4 24/Mar/ 49 45 450 106 10 025 0 7.2 7.5 7.5 Dulaankhaan
2007
Y2 25/Mar/ 49 36 529 106 54 474 1 7.2 7.5 7.0 Yeroo
2007
Y3 25/Mar/ 49 43 455 106 39 408 1 7.2 7.5 7.0 Yeroo
2007
Y4 25/Mar/ 49 52 785 106 14 620 0 7.2 7.5 7.5 Yeroo
2007
O1 04/Apr/ 47 12 043 102 47 864 0 7.2 7.5 7.0 Kharkhorin
2007
O2 31/Mar/ 48 57 998 104 52 613 0 7.2 7.5 7.0 Orkhontuul
2007
O4 26/Mar/ 49 35 210 105 47 751 1 7.2 7.5 7.0 Orkhon
2007
O5 24/Mar/ 49 53 069 106 08 845 0 7.2 7.5 7.0 Nomgon
2007
O7 24/Mar/ 49 52 838 106 14 666 0 6.6 7.5 7.0 Orkhon
2007
T2 02/Apr/ 47 49 349 107 20 129 0.5 7.2 7.5 7.0 Terelj
2007
T3 02/Apr/ 47 53 550 107 03 891 2 7.2 7.5 7.0 Bayanzurkh
2007
T6 01/Apr/ 47 50 804 106 40 560 4.5 7.2 7.5 7.0 Biocombinat
2007
T8 07/Apr/ 48 07 709 106 53 223 1 6.9 7.5 7.0 Oinbulag
2007
T9 07/Apr/ 48 03 997 106 54 173 2 7.2 7.5 7.0 Shargamorit
2007
T10 07/Apr/ 47 58 661 106 55 576 3 7.2 7.5 7.0 Dambadarjaa
2007
T11 07/Apr/ 47 54 503 106 55 922 7 7.2 7.5 7.5 Narantuul
2007
T12 08/Apr/ 47 54 207 106 54 054 3.5 7.2 7.5 7.0 Khan-Uul
2007
T13 08/Apr/ 47 53 029 106 48 808 3 7.2 7.5 7.0 Yarmag
2007
T14 04/Apr/ 47 51 769 105 11 866 0 6.9 7.5 7.0 Lun
2007
9
T15 31/Mar/ 48 49 404 104 48 525 1 7.2 7.5 6.5 Orkhontuul
2007
Table 1. Sampling site and field data description along Orkhon river and its tributaries.
Water for major ion analysis was injected by 50ml syringe (Terumo, Japan) and filtered through a 25
mm syringe filter with 0.45 µm membrane (Ekicrodisk – Acro LC, Japan) and collected in a
polypropylene bottle. pH and temperature was measured at the sampling site using color-fixed
Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and SO42- concentrations were determined by using a Shimadzu ion
chromatographic analyzer LC – 10A. Standard solution for ion chromatography (P/N 228-3360393)
was prepared from a Shimadzu standard solution for ion chromatography according to the producer
instructions.
10
Accuracy and precision of the analytical methods used here were tested using Shimadzu standard
solution for ion chromatography (P/N 228-3360393) and shown to be satisfactory with 2-5 % error.
Heavy metals concentrations in water were determined by a Hewlett Packard (Agilent Technologies,
Japan) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Standard solution was prepared from
Spex XSTC-469 (SPEX CertiPrep, Inc.). Accuracy and precision of the analytical methods used here
were tested using XSTC-469 (SPEX CertiPrep, Inc.) and shown to be satisfactory with 1-5% error.
Below any data on the water samples of Republic of Uzbekistan is on the courtesy of Associate
Professor Yoshiko Kawabata. Uzbekistan data will be used only for generating a comparative
Water samples were collected in Toshkent, in the area from Samarquand to Hiva in September 2000,
and in the Zerafshan basin in November 2000. The global position of each sampling spot was
determined by using a SONY Portable Global Positioning System. pH, electronic conductivity,
dissolved oxygen, water temperature and salinity were measured at the sampling site by using a
Horiba Multiple water quality monitoring system U-10. Samples of drinking water were collected
along the main road from Samarquand to Hiva and Toshkent. Water for uranium analysis (500 ml) was
collected in a polypropylene bottle. Water for major ion and alkalinity analysis (50 ml) was filtered
11
through a 0.45 µm Millipore filter and collected in polypropylene bottle. The sampling site
Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and SO42- concentrations were determined by using a Shimadzu ion
chromatographic analyzer LC – 10A. Standard solution for ion chromatography (P/N 228-3360393)
was prepared from a Shimadzu standard solution for ion chromatography according to the producer
instructions. Accuracy and precision of the analytical methods used here were tested using Shimadzu
standard solution for ion chromatography (P/N 228-3360393) and shown to be satisfactory with 2-5 %
error.
MAJOR ION CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS SURVEY BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY ON NA+, K+, MG2+, CA2+,
12
K3 18/Sep./2000 17.47 2.23 37.19 97.39 25.17 158.50
K4 18/Sep./2000 7.59 2.93 16.53 77.35 15.60 130.16
K5 18/Sep./2000 4.37 1.88 8.75 60.92 19.50 106.15
K6 18/Sep./2000 71.96 4.16 15.19 78.96 114.51 259.36
K8 19/Sep./2000 117.71 5.60 32.81 100.00 163.44 357.34
K9 19/Sep./2000 329.21 17.95 58.70 185.77 326.88 646.96
K10 19/Sep./2000 137.25 7.94 44.11 134.27 188.96 366.47
K11 19/Sep./2000 118.86 5.79 40.10 126.85 159.54 334.77
K12 20/Sep./2000 117.71 6.37 39.50 127.45 161.31 346.78
K13 20/Sep./2000 129.43 5.83 43.14 138.28 154.93 337.65
K17 20/Sep./2000 113.34 0.04 44.11 142.08 129.05 350.62
K18 20/Sep./2000 100.01 4.57 32.81 126.45 112.03 264.65
K19 20/Sep./2000 364.16 13.37 212.55 247.29 328.65 1176.25
K20 20/Sep./2000 53.11 2.58 44.48 106.81 23.40 211.81
K21 20/Sep./2000 146.45 8.37 123.47 168.94 82.96 567.71
K22 20/Sep./2000 4.83 0.63 12.03 68.54 1.42 49.47
WHO 200 mg/L NON NON 300 mg/L 250 mg/L 500 mg/L
Table 3. Major ion concentration in drinking water along the Amu-Darya river.
In this chapter I will present results obtained by Ion Chromatography on major ion concentrations
and heavy metals concentration analysis by ICP-MS on the rivers of Mongolia followed by the
Major ion concentration analysis is surveyed by ion chromatography on Na +, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-,
13
S3 31/Mar./2007 46.52 4.26 38.56 90.71 16.15 78.33
S4 24/Mar./2007 29.60 4.51 21.75 50.50 12.75 56.91
Y2 25/Mar./2007 27.96 4.94 42.74 149.33 30.79 144.28
Y3 25/Mar./2007 6.55 1.81 6.32 25.69 2.84 11.96
Y4 25/Mar./2007 11.56 1.23 9.80 35.03 2.88 17.71
O1 04/Apr./2007 10.53 3.17 7.26 32.09 3.60 11.77
O2 31/Mar./2007 37.33 2.55 25.73 71.88 13.77 76.94
O4 26/Mar./2007 24.62 1.75 14.07 39.92 12.62 45.44
O5 24/Mar./2007 25.21 1.90 15.85 50.31 15.06 42.22
O7 24/Mar./2007 16.70 3.52 1.61 10.14 33.60 11.43 27.66
T2 02/Apr./2007 3.55 3.77 0.62 1.46 12.74 2.03 8.90
T3 02/Apr./2007 7.28 1.44 4.58 29.58 3.13 16.94
T6 01/Apr./2007 66.92 28.96 7.32 8.28 67.61 119.03 118.94
T8 07/Apr./2007 5.53 29.49 14.73 6.64 25.59 6.77 20.85
T9 07/Apr./2007 9.50 0.81 16.66 8.93 35.23 11.71 31.28
T10 07/Apr./2007 8.34 0.69 7.84 5.47 25.43 13.15 34.32
T11 07/Apr./2007 19.34 0.99 6.07 13.07 59.29 29.28 71.36
T12 08/Apr./2007 12.68 3.59 6.26 10.17 47.27 15.32 35.13
T13 08/Apr./2007 31.76 4.36 7.45 17.00 77.97 35.30 81.40
T14 04/Apr./2007 13.60 3.98 1.09 8.03 31.00 11.46 16.38
T15 31/Mar./2007 42.33 3.54 1.73 20.93 67.80 27.99 77.39
MAC in 120 0.5 50 40 180 300 100
Mongolia
mg/L
Table 4. Major ion concentration in the rivers of Orkhon and its tributaries in Mongolia.
The most commonly observed cations were Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and NH4+ and showed lower
concentration, exclusively NH4+ and Mg2+, not reaching maximum acceptable concentration (MAC)
14
NH4+ was observed in almost all sampling points except T3 point in Tuul river. (Figure 3). T6
sampling point, near to downstream of Central Sewage Facility of Ulaanbaatar city, demonstrated
about 57.9 times higher value of ammonium than the MAC level. It clearly indicates the influence of
industrial and domestic sewage discharge from the city in this area. T8 sampling point near to
headstream of Selbe river, tributary 32 km north from Tuul river, demonstrated also 58.8 times higher
value. I think it may have resulted from human impact and traditional livestock breeding life-style near
to this area. T9, T10 and T11 points, downstream from T8 point, showed about 1.7 to 1.9 times higher
concentration of ammonium that may be described by the dilution of the substances during the river
flow. T12 and T13 points along the midstream of Tuul river, before discharge to Central Sewage
Facility, showed value ranging from about 7.1 to 8.7 times higher than MAC level. T14 point near to
downstream of Tuul river from Ulaanbaatar city and T15 point after gold mining site showed about
7.08 times higher value before discharging to the Orkhon river. These facts indicate that high Tuul
Mg
60
47.89
50 41.92 38.56 42.74
40 30.6234.0329.89
30 21.75
20
6.32 9.8
10
0
B1 B2 B3 B4 S1 S3 S4 Y2 Y3 Y4
15
Figure 4. Mg2+ concentration in Boroo, Shariin and Yeroo rivers.
B4 point, small stream discharge to Boroo river, showed 1.2 times higher and Y2 point, small stream
discharge to Yeroo river, showed 1.07 times higher concentration of Mg 2+ which can be formed as a
influence of accumulated substance during the spring snowmelt in this area. Because, there is no direct
point pollution source near to these sampling points. S1 point, downstream from coal mining in
Shariin river, showed 1.05 times higher concentration of magnesium which may have an influence of
the coal mining drainage from the upper stream in Shariin river.
With respect to the anions, Cl- and SO42- were observed. SO42- showed exceeding value in some points
of Tuul and Yeroo rivers, while Cl- remained lower than MAC level and in all rivers sampled.
Y2 point, small stream that discharges to Yeroo river, showed about 1.4 times higher SO 42-
concentration in Figure 5. Generally, there is any point pollution source near to this point. Gold mining
upper stream of Yeroo river does not have a relation with this point. Since SO 42- is commonly found
element in Mongolian rivers and abundant on earth crust and river water, it may have occurred during
16
Figure 5. SO42- concentration in Shariin and Yeroo rivers.
T6 point, downstream from Central Sewage Treatment Facility discharge, showed higher value of
SO42- concentration accounting for 118.94 mg/L. It may be described by the industrial disposal from
Overall total dissolved solid along the Orkhon river showed lower concentration that usually should
not exceed 500 mg/L for drinking and industrial uses. (Gordon K. Pagenkopf, 1978) The highest
concentration in O2 point, 5 kilometer after Tuul river discharge, and higher were observed near O5
and O4 points, near the junction with Shariin - Orkhon and Kharaa –Orkhon rivers, and decreased
value is shown near to O7 point near Yeroo river discharge to Orkhon river. The least was observed in
100
76.94
80
60 45.44
mg/L
42.22
40 27.66
20 11.77
0 17
O1 O2 O4 O5 O7
Figure 7. Total dissolved solid in Orkhon river.
Heavy metals concentration was surveyed by the Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry.
Uranium (U) and manganese (Mn) showed higher value out of detected trace elements as cadmium
(Cd), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), strontium (Sr), thorium (Th) and zinc (Zn) and shown
Location Date Cr Mn Cu Zn Sr Cd Cs Th U
µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L
K1 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 1.76 4.65 20.92 21.37 0.03 0.14 <0.00 0.63
K2 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 1.85 2.21 13.77 26.44 0.02 0.13 <0.00 4.42
K3 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 2.56 4.73 19.39 28.30 0.01 0.13 <0.00 7.24
K4 26/Mar./2007 <0.00 1.95 8.87 28.65 33.22 0.06 0.15 <0.00 17.41
K5 26/Mar./2007 <0.00 1.92 4.59 14.25 25.90 0.02 0.13 <0.00 5.67
B1 26/Mar./2007 <0.00 11.82 5.73 22.19 45.51 0.02 0.18 <0.00 22.70
B2 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 5.40 6.14 19.61 37.58 0.02 0.14 <0.00 11.23
B3 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 2.61 6.18 17.90 62.13 0.04 0.14 <0.00 50.60
B4 26/Mar./2007 <0.00 4.00 5.35 14.77 44.72 0.01 0.13 <0.00 15.03
S1 31/Mar./2007 <0.00 2.79 7.95 21.68 45.58 <0.00 0.13 <0.00 0.63
S3 31/Mar./2007 <0.00 3.78 2.70 18.62 34.60 0.07 0.13 <0.00 3.45
S4 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 3.02 1.78 9.35 29.39 <0.00 0.12 <0.00 4.73
Y2 25/Mar./2007 <0.00 2.80 4.48 23.43 52.79 0.05 0.13 <0.00 4.71
Y3 25/Mar./2007 <0.00 2.04 3.80 27.33 7.842 0.05 0.13 <0.00 0.13
Y4 25/Mar./2007 <0.00 55.41 1.10 9.15 14.31 0.26 0.13 <0.00 1.90
O1 04/Apr./2007 <0.00 1.74 1.22 7.07 15.85 0.05 0.13 <0.00 2.71
O2 31/Mar./2007 <0.00 0.85 2.35 7.75 44.98 0.42 0.13 <0.00 5.90
O4 26/Mar./2007 <0.00 2.22 1.31 10.15 39.28 0.26 0.13 <0.00 3.33
O5 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 3.80 0.19 13.00 23.39 0.01 0.13 <0.00 3.35
O7 24/Mar./2007 <0.00 1.58 5.21 19.73 52.20 <0.00 0.13 <0.00 12.25
T2 02/Apr./2007 1.23 0.74 12.71 67.81 0.04 0.12 0.21
T3 02/Apr./2007 11.85 0.85 7.73 120.80 0.05 0.12 0.32
T6 01/Apr./2007 166.30 3.78 30.22 496.20 0.08 0.16 1.85
T8 07/Apr./2007 1.04 0.93 38.94 177.10 0.02 0.13 0.42
T9 07/Apr./2007 18.31 2.99 13.51 213.90 0.07 0.13 0.85
18
T10 07/Apr./2007 5.37 2.27 12.69 254.20 0.06 0.13 1.28
T11 07/Apr./2007 0.82 5.03 9.59 686.30 0.11 0.13 6.17
T12 08/Apr./2007 45.44 3.83 16.96 328.10 0.11 0.13 1.90
T13 08/Apr./2007 20.55 4.28 21.38 459.60 0.12 0.13 3.62
T14 04/Apr./2007 4.89 0.90 9.13 165.50 0.09 0.13 1.48
T15 31/Mar./2007 5.43 1.33 10.90 339.70 0.11 0.13 5.42
MAC in
Mongolia 10 100 10 10 2000 5 Non Non 15
µg/L
Table 5. Heavy metals concentration in the rivers of Orkhon river and its tributaries in Mongolia.
Manganese and uranium has concentration is compared with WHO guideline level for drinking water
(WHO 2003) and MAC level for Surface Water Quality Standard in Mongolia.
200
180 166.3
160
140
120
MAC 100 T15
100
Mon-
golia 80
Orkhon
60
45.4
WHO
40
Level 40 18.3 20.6
20 11.9
1.2 1 5.4 0.8 4.9 5.4
0
T2 T3 T6 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14 T15
Selbe
T8 Terelj
T9
Figure 8. Manganese concentration in Tuul (T)
T10
river. Ulaanbaatar
T11 T2
T14 T6 T12
T13
T3
Tuul
T6 point, downstream from Central Sewage Treatment Facility discharge to Tuul river, showed higher
concentration of manganese that can be described by the industrial sewage coming from Ulaanbaatar
city. T12 point, flowing through the midtown, showed about 1.1 times higher value than WHO
19
guideline level but compare with MAC level in Mongolia it remained lower. In general, there is any
point pollution source near to this point. I think it should be checked again in a seasonal change.
60
55 50.6 O7
50 Yeroo
O5 Y4
45 S4 Y3
40 Orkhon O4
S3 Y2
35
K5 S1
30
25 22.7
20 17.4
Kharaa
15
15
15 12.3 11.2 WHO
Level
10 7.7 7.2
5.9 5.7 4.7 O2 K3
5 2.7 3.3 3.4 3.5 4.7 4.4
K4 K2 K1
0 B2
O1 O2 O4 O7 S1 S3 S4 S5 B1 B2 B3 B4 K2 K3 K4 K5 Y2
Boroo
Figure 9. Uranium concentration in the rivers. B1
B3
B4
Uranium was shown higher value in B1, B3 and K4 points of Boroo and Kharaa rivers. A considerably
higher concentration was observed in B3 point. This point is near to Bornuur village which was the
biggest agricultural village planting wheat flour and all kinds of vegetables for domestic use. B1 points
is near to the center of this village. K4 point is a small stream discharging to the river Kharaa. In fact,
there is any mining activities especially uranium mining are near to these points. Since uranium is
widespread in nature, it may have occurred due to the leaching from natural deposit in this area.
However, these points should be re-examined in a seasonal change in order to confirm the
20
4.2. COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW
Major ion concentration of Uzbekistan and Mongolia compared with the World Health Organization
Mongolian data showed a noticeable lower trend in all major ions concentrations accounting 3-57
times lower in Na+, 2-120 in Cl-, 3.5 – 56 in SO42- and 0.5-24 times lower concentration in Ca 2+ than
WHO level.
However, Uzbekistan showed a relatively higher trend that the highest value accounting 0.6 times
higher in Na+, 2.3 in Cl- and 0.7-2.3 times higher in SO42- concentration respectively.
5.1. CONCLUSIONS
o In general, a moderately lower major ion concentration trend is observed in Mongolian data
o It may have an influence of the extensive agricultural activities and exploration of minerals that
have already started since 1940s, however Mongolia is exploring its minerals after 1992.
21
o The river may have impacted by human influences because it showed not only downstream but
o High migration to capital city, ger (traditional house) areas with lack of sanitary sewage system
and industrial sewage may have influenced for elevated NH4+ concentration in the Tuul river.
o Yeroo, Shariin and Kharaa rivers showed a slightly lower loading of total dissolved solid into
Orkhon river than Tuul river. However, the survey on the rivers should be re-examined in a
seasonal change.
o Manganese and uranium elements showed exceeding value than WHO guideline level in some
o Improper industrial sewage is may be main contributor of manganese concentration in the Tuul
river.
o Heavy metals in the rivers should be investigated more in detail and in a seasonal change.
22
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24
John D. Farrington (2001). Environmental problems of placer gold mining in the Zaamar Goldfield,
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APPENDIX 1.
25
26 Zinc (Zn) mg/l 0.01
27 Mercury (Hg) mkg/l 0.1
24 Soap mg/l 0.05
25 Phenol mg/l 0.001
26 GINB mg/l 0.1
27 Benzopyren mkg/l 0.005
26