Odour emission capacity as a surrogate parameter for the assessment of river water quality

Abstract

One of the major source of complaint in relation to water quality in rivers is linked to odour emissions. However, in the monitoring and regulations for water quality, odour normally is not directly considered. This paper explores the application of the Odour Emission Capacity (OEC) as a surrogate parameter in the assessment of river water quality and discuss the relationship between odour status and the traditional analytical parameters used in assessment of the ecological status. The study presents a novel and complete procedure for the assessment of the river water quality able to reduce the overall costs of analyses. At same time, the study presents the reliability of the novel procedure application with the discussion of its application in case studies. Correlation with conventional approach was studies and discussed. Results underline the strong relationship between the organic content in the river samples and their odour in terms of OEC. OEC can be easily integrated in the assessment protocol and it is a good subrogate indicator for the assessment of river water quality.