# Physicochemical Characteristics of River Water Downstream of a Large Tropical Hydroelectric Dam

Authors: Teck-Yee Ling; Chen-Lin Soo; Teresa Lee-Eng Heng; Lee Nyanti; Siong-Fong Sim; Jongkar Grinang
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2016)

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## Abstract

Water quality in the downstream river of a hydroelectric dam may be affected by the structural design and operation. To date, little is known about the water quality downstream of the largest dam in Malaysia, the Bakun hydroelectric dam. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the water quality downstream of the dam when the spillway was closed and when it was opened. Results of the study indicate that the dam plays a significant role in regulating the water quality downstream of it. When the spillway was closed, pH and oxygen were lower in the river where DO was below 5 mg/L. When the spillway was opened, the water quality improved in terms of oxygen content (>8.0 mg/L), total sulphide (TS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) but deteriorated in terms of five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), and total phosphorus (TP). Additionally, the intensity of the impacts, particularly BOD5, COD, and TAN, shows a declining trend as distance from the dam increases. This study shows that impacts on the water quality extend to a distance of 32 km from the dam particularly turbidity and DO and opening the spillway changes the water quality significantly.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Dam and reservoir construction in river courses are booming all over the world for hydropower generation, flood control, irrigation, and water supply. In Malaysia, there are about 80 dams that have been built where majority of the dams are for water supply in most of the states of Peninsular Malaysia including Sabah while hydropower dams are the most common in the states of Sarawak and Perak [1]. Among them, Sarawak owns the largest hydropower project in Malaysia with an installed capacity of 2,400MW of electricity and the second tallest concrete rock filled dams (205 m) in the world which is the Bakun hydroelectric dam. The dam is situated on the Balui River, a tributary of the longest river in Malaysia, the Rajang River. It is impounded in 2010 and reached its full supply level in 2012 where the flooded area is over 695 km2 [2, 3].The physicochemical parameters of the Bakun dam reservoir have been studied in pre- and postimpoundment condition [2, 3]. However, studies on the tropical regulated downstream river of the dam are limited though it is also subjected to major environmental impacts ranging from downstream morphology to biodiversity of the ecosystem [4–10]. Downstream impacts of the dam can sometimes extend up to a distance of hundred kilometers from the dam site [11], although the intensity of the impacts tends to decline with increasing distance from the dam site [12, 13]. Dams can change downstream hydrology by altering the flow pattern which subsequently change the water quality of the downstream river [14–19]. Thus, it is of scientific importance to investigate and evaluate the water quality changes induced by dam construction and operation.Despite the substantial size of the Bakun hydroelectric dam and its potential impact on the downstream river, the water quality of its downstream river is scarcely known. Recently, a study had shown that higher concentration of Fe and Mn was detected in downstream water of the Bakun hydroelectric reservoir with significant longitudinal variation [20]. Structural difference between Bakun dam and other big tropical dams in the world may result in differences in downstream water quality. Therefore, the present study was initiated to assess the water quality of the downstream river of the Bakun hydroelectric dam when the spillway was closed and when it was opened. The findings would provide valuable information for the operation and management of the dam for the benefit of downstream aquatic organisms.


## 2. Material and Methods

### 2.1. Study Area and Sampling Stations

The present study was conducted at the Balui River, downstream Bakun hydroelectric dam in Sarawak, Malaysia, from Long Baagu to below Belaga town (Figure1) when the electrical power generation was ongoing. The river received water discharged from the reservoir of the dam after the water passed through the turbines. Intake for power generation was at about 10 m depth from the surface. A total of five stations were selected along the downstream river up to a distance of 32.1 km from the dam (Table 1). The first sampling was conducted on 6 November 2013 when the spillway was closed. The second sampling was conducted in 26 February 2014 where additional water was discharged from the spillway with intake at a depth of ~15 m. At the end of the spillway, the water hits the concrete barrier before entering downstream Balui River. The downstream river flow during second trip when additional water was discharged from the spillway of the dam was faster than first trip. It rained in the morning during the first trip whereas no rain was recorded for two weeks before the second trip.Table 1
The details of the sampling location and sampling regime in the present study.
Station (distance from Bakun dam)
GPS coordinate
Description
1st trip (6.11.2013)
2nd trip (26.2.2014)
Time
Depth (m)
Time
Depth (m)
St 1 (4.3 km)
N02°46′21.8′′ E114°01′41.6′′
Long Baagu
6.20 pm
13.2
3.00 pm
10.7
St 2 (9.9 km)
N02°47′02.0′′ E113°58′43.2′′
Right above Metjawah (Lubok Metjawah )
5.30 pm
9.2
2.10 pm
5.4
St 3 (17.5 km)
N02°46′05.2′′ E113°54′23.0′′
Right below longhouse Lahanan Long Semuang
4.00 pm
4.5
12.45 pm
4.1
St 4 (24.9 km)
N02°44′34.5′′ E113°50′21.8′′
Right above longhouse Kejaman Neh
3.00 pm
2.1
12.05 pm
5.9
St 5 (32.1 km)
N02°42′02.9′′ E113°46′46.3′′
Below Belaga Town
1.30 pm
7.9
11.05 am
10.0Figure 1
Location of the sampling stations along the downstream river, Balui River, of the Bakun hydroelectric dam in the present study in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia.


### 2.2. Field Collection and Laboratory Analysis

Bothin situ andex situ parameters were studied. pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured using an Orion 3-star Plus Portable pH meter and a Milwaukee DO meter, respectively. Turbidity was measured using a YSI 6820 Multiparameter Sonde and a Hanna Instrument in the first and second trips, respectively. Water samples were collected in triplicate for the analysis of five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP), and total sulphide (TS). All sampling bottles were acid-washed, cleaned, and dried before use. Water samples were preserved using zinc acetate for TS analysis whereas water samples were acidified to pH < 2 for TAN and TP analysis. All water samples were placed in an ice box and transported to the laboratory for further analysis [21].Prior to the analysis, the triplicate water samples were composited. All the analyses were conducted according to standard methods [21, 22]. For BOD5 analysis, it began in the field. As DO values in the first trip were low, water was aerated by shaking in a 2 L bottle before initial DO was measured. Final DO was measured after incubation of the sample in the dark at 20°C. Subsequently, BOD5 was calculated using standard methods. COD was determined by closed reflux titrimetric method [21] where FAS concentration used was 0.025 M. TAN was determined by Nessler’s method after distillation [22]. TP was determined by ascorbic acid method after sulfuric-nitric acid digestion of samples [21]. TS was analyzed using the methylene blue method [22]. A calibration curve was prepared for each chemical analysis. Blank and standard solutions were treated in the same way as the sample.


### 2.3. Statistical Analysis

When data were tested for normality and equal variance with Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene’s test, respectively, it was found to be significantly different from normal distribution and unequal in variances. Thus, nonparametric tests were used in the subsequent statistical analyses. To determine if there was any significant difference in the results between the five sampling stations of each sampling trip Kruskal-Wallis test was used. Wilcoxon Sign-rank test was used to compare the water quality of the downstream river between opened and closed spillway. All the statistical analyses were conducted by using SPSS Version 22.


## 2.1. Study Area and Sampling Stations

The present study was conducted at the Balui River, downstream Bakun hydroelectric dam in Sarawak, Malaysia, from Long Baagu to below Belaga town (Figure1) when the electrical power generation was ongoing. The river received water discharged from the reservoir of the dam after the water passed through the turbines. Intake for power generation was at about 10 m depth from the surface. A total of five stations were selected along the downstream river up to a distance of 32.1 km from the dam (Table 1). The first sampling was conducted on 6 November 2013 when the spillway was closed. The second sampling was conducted in 26 February 2014 where additional water was discharged from the spillway with intake at a depth of ~15 m. At the end of the spillway, the water hits the concrete barrier before entering downstream Balui River. The downstream river flow during second trip when additional water was discharged from the spillway of the dam was faster than first trip. It rained in the morning during the first trip whereas no rain was recorded for two weeks before the second trip.Table 1
The details of the sampling location and sampling regime in the present study.
Station (distance from Bakun dam)
GPS coordinate
Description
1st trip (6.11.2013)
2nd trip (26.2.2014)
Time
Depth (m)
Time
Depth (m)
St 1 (4.3 km)
N02°46′21.8′′ E114°01′41.6′′
Long Baagu
6.20 pm
13.2
3.00 pm
10.7
St 2 (9.9 km)
N02°47′02.0′′ E113°58′43.2′′
Right above Metjawah (Lubok Metjawah )
5.30 pm
9.2
2.10 pm
5.4
St 3 (17.5 km)
N02°46′05.2′′ E113°54′23.0′′
Right below longhouse Lahanan Long Semuang
4.00 pm
4.5
12.45 pm
4.1
St 4 (24.9 km)
N02°44′34.5′′ E113°50′21.8′′
Right above longhouse Kejaman Neh
3.00 pm
2.1
12.05 pm
5.9
St 5 (32.1 km)
N02°42′02.9′′ E113°46′46.3′′
Below Belaga Town
1.30 pm
7.9
11.05 am
10.0Figure 1
Location of the sampling stations along the downstream river, Balui River, of the Bakun hydroelectric dam in the present study in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia.


## 2.2. Field Collection and Laboratory Analysis

Bothin situ andex situ parameters were studied. pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured using an Orion 3-star Plus Portable pH meter and a Milwaukee DO meter, respectively. Turbidity was measured using a YSI 6820 Multiparameter Sonde and a Hanna Instrument in the first and second trips, respectively. Water samples were collected in triplicate for the analysis of five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP), and total sulphide (TS). All sampling bottles were acid-washed, cleaned, and dried before use. Water samples were preserved using zinc acetate for TS analysis whereas water samples were acidified to pH < 2 for TAN and TP analysis. All water samples were placed in an ice box and transported to the laboratory for further analysis [21].Prior to the analysis, the triplicate water samples were composited. All the analyses were conducted according to standard methods [21, 22]. For BOD5 analysis, it began in the field. As DO values in the first trip were low, water was aerated by shaking in a 2 L bottle before initial DO was measured. Final DO was measured after incubation of the sample in the dark at 20°C. Subsequently, BOD5 was calculated using standard methods. COD was determined by closed reflux titrimetric method [21] where FAS concentration used was 0.025 M. TAN was determined by Nessler’s method after distillation [22]. TP was determined by ascorbic acid method after sulfuric-nitric acid digestion of samples [21]. TS was analyzed using the methylene blue method [22]. A calibration curve was prepared for each chemical analysis. Blank and standard solutions were treated in the same way as the sample.


## 2.3. Statistical Analysis

When data were tested for normality and equal variance with Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene’s test, respectively, it was found to be significantly different from normal distribution and unequal in variances. Thus, nonparametric tests were used in the subsequent statistical analyses. To determine if there was any significant difference in the results between the five sampling stations of each sampling trip Kruskal-Wallis test was used. Wilcoxon Sign-rank test was used to compare the water quality of the downstream river between opened and closed spillway. All the statistical analyses were conducted by using SPSS Version 22.


## 3. Results and Discussion

Figure2 shows that the water discharged from the Bakun hydroelectric reservoir has a great impact on thein situ water quality at the downstream river. Low pH value was observed at stations near to the dam which is most likely due to the low pH water of the reservoir from a depth of between 10 and 15 m that was released into the downstream river after passing through the turbines [3]. However, the pH value steadily increased from 6.0
±
0.0 to 7.7
±
0.0 along the downstream river due to the dilution from the tributaries in the first sampling. However, when water was also discharged from the opened spillway in the second sampling, the pH value is relatively constant along the downstream river, ranging from 6.1
±
0.0 to 6.2
±
0.0. In addition to the impact of the high volume of low pH reservoir water, no precipitation for two weeks before the second sampling could also contribute to the low pH value up to a distance of 32 km from the dam in the present study. Overall, the pH value of the downstream river is mostly classified as Class II according to National Water Quality Standard (NWQS) for Malaysia except stations 4 and 5 in the first trip which are classified as Class I [23].Figure 2
In situ andex situ water quality parameters of (a) pH, (b) DO, (c), turbidity, (d) TS, (e) BOD5, (f) COD, (g), TAN, and (h) TP at stations of downstream Bakun hydroelectric dam when the spillway was closed (dash line) and when it is opened (solid line) when the dam is in operation. Different letters indicate significant difference at p value ≤ 0.05 along the downstream river (uppercase—spillway closed; lowercase—spillway opened).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)The mean value of DO along the downstream river was 4.3 mg/L and 9.2 mg/L when reservoir water is discharged with the spillway closed and opened, respectively. According to the NWQS, DO is classified as Class III along the downstream river when water is discharged from the dam during power generation with the spillway closed. The DO content improved considerably when the spillway was open where the DO is classified as Class I. Table2 shows that the DO value along the downstream river is significantly higher when additional water was discharged from the spillway of the dam (p value ≤ 0.05) but decreased steadily along the downstream river as illustrated by Figure 2. On the other hand, when spillway was closed and the only water was discharged through the turbines, DO value is the lowest at station 1 which is the nearest station to the dam but steadily increased along the downstream river indicating the DO content was first impacted by the low DO content from the reservoir but was then diluted by river water with higher DO content along the downstream river. Despite the dilution along the downstream river, station 5 which is the furthest station from the dam still showed DO of less than 5 mg/L. Besides the low DO content in the downstream river that raises environmental health concerns, the high DO when the water is discharged from the spillway may also pose ecological risks to the downstream river. The high oxygen level caused by the rapid aeration when water plunged from the spillway hitting the barrier may cause the total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation in the downstream water which could lead to bubble disease on fish living downstream of dams [17, 24, 25].Table 2
Mean difference in water quality parameters between closed and opened spillway when the Bakun hydroelectric dam is in operation (N
=
5).
Parameters
Mean difference
p value
pH
0.4
0.057
DO, mg/L
−4.8
0.001
Turbidity, NTU
−19.0
0.001
TS, mg/L
1.3
0.019
BOD5, mg/L
−0.5
0.028
COD, mg/L
26.4
0.001
TAN, mg/L
−0.065
0.001
TP,μg/L
−114.7
0.001
Positive value of mean difference indicates water quality parameter was higher during closed spillway, whereas negative value indicates water quality parameter was higher during opened spillway of the Bakun hydroelectric dam. The significant difference atp value ≤ 0.05 was indicated in bold.The turbidity value (≈40 NTU) at station 1 when water is discharged from the dam during power generation with closed spillway is similar to the turbidity value of the Bakun reservoir which ranged from 22 to 40 NTU at a depth of 10–15 m [3]. The highest turbidity value (74.5
±
0.6NTU) was observed at station 3 and the high turbidity value at stations 4 and 5 (>60 NTU) indicating the possible anthropogenic influences of suspended solids from adjacent area besides the impact of the dam. Turbidity value increased significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) when the spillway was opened with a mean value of 75.2 mg/L. The high turbidity value had extended up to a distance of 32 km from the dam in the present study. When water is discharged from the spillway in addition to turbine outflow, resuspension of deposited sediments under high flow rate increases the suspended solids downstream. Besides the impacts of the reservoir water discharged from the spillway, the high turbidity value could also be due to the low dilution from the tributaries along the downstream river as there was no precipitation for two weeks before the second sampling was conducted. Overall, most of the turbidity value at both trips (>50 NTU) had exceeded the Class II of NWQS for Malaysia [23] except stations 1 and 2 in the first sampling.When water is discharged from the dam during power generation when spillway was closed, TS was very high at stations 1, 2, and 3 (≈0.22 mg/L) up to a distance of 17.5 km from the dam. The high TS concentration at the downstream river near to the dam indicates that it is most likely due to the reservoir water that contains high TS concentration [26]. Strong rotten egg smell indicating the presence of hydrogen sulphide had been detected at Bakun reservoir during the filling phase [2]. However, TS concentration was found much lower at stations 4 and 5 most likely due to degassing and oxidation of hydrogen sulphide when the anaerobic water was aerated [27]. When the spillway is opened, the water was aerated by the plunge and impact on the concrete wall resulting in degassing and oxidation of hydrogen sulphide and this water diluted the higher sulphide water from the turbine outflow leading to significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) lower TS along the downstream river. The mean TS concentration along the downstream river decreased from 0.14 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L, where the TS value changes from noncompliance to compliance with the 0.05 mg/L standard [23]. The highest concentration of TS in both samples was found at station 3 indicating that station 3 which is located below the longhouse may have contributed substantial TS besides the reservoir water.The BOD5 concentration fluctuated along the downstream river with the highest value located at stations 3 and 5 (≈4.0 mg/L) when the spillway was closed. BOD5 concentration at the two stations is also significantly higher (p value ≤ 0.05) than the BOD5 concentration at stations 2 (3.0
±
0.1 mg/L) and 4 (3.1
±
0.2 mg/L). The higher concentration of BOD5 at the two stations indicates that high BOD5 concentration is most likely attributed to the domestic discharge and runoff as stations 3 and 5 were located below longhouses and Belaga town, respectively. When the spillway was opened, the BOD5 concentration increased significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) compared to when closed but significantly decreased from 4.2
±
0.0 mg/L to 3.5
±
0.1 mg/L (p value ≤ 0.05) along the downstream river as distance increases as shown in Figure 2. The BOD5 concentration along the downstream river was classified as Class III at all stations except station 2 (Class II) in the first sampling.Figure2 illustrates that the highest COD concentration (≈85 mg/L) was observed at station 1 which is the nearest station to the dam in both trips. The value lies between the COD concentrations near to the Bakun dam in the reservoir at a depth between 15 m and 30 m [3]. In the present study, COD concentration decreased significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) from 80.0
±
8.0 mg/L to 18.7
±
4.6 mg/L along the downstream river when additional water was discharged from the spillway. The classification of COD shows improvement with increasing distance from the dam, that is, from Class IV to Class II. Besides, the mean COD concentration was also significantly lower (p value ≤ 0.05) when the spillway was opened compared to closed spillway. When the spillway was closed, COD concentration was not significantly different (p value > 0.05) along the downstream river, although the COD concentration decreased from 90 mg/L at station 1 to 63 mg/L at the subsequent stations as illustrated in Figure 2. When the spillway was opened, the high volume of reservoir water was aerated resulting in high DO in the river which lowered the COD concentration substantially along the downstream river.The TAN concentration ranged from0.030
±
0.007 mg/L to 0.125
±
0.024 mg/L and 0.119
±
0.002 mg/L to 0.226
±
0.045 mg/L when the spillway was closed and opened, respectively. Similar to COD concentration, the highest value of TAN was observed at station 1 and the values are comparable to the TAN concentration in the Bakun reservoir near to the Bakun dam at a depth of 15 m and 30 m which was reported to be 0.14 mg/L and 0.35 mg/L, respectively [3]. In the present study, the TAN concentration when the spillway was closed is similar to the reservoir TAN concentration near to the Bakun dam at a depth of 15 m whereas TAN concentration when the spillway was opened lies between 15 m and 30 m depths of the reservoir TAN concentration. No significant difference of TAN concentration (p value > 0.05) was observed along the downstream river when the spillway was closed; but TAN shows sign of decrease along the downstream river when the spillway was opened where TAN concentrations at stations 3 and 4 were significantly lower (p value ≤ 0.05) than TAN concentration at station 1. The mean TAN concentration increased significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) when water was discharged from the spillway (0.15 mg/L) compared to the dam (0.085 mg/L) and the classification of TAN changed from Class I to Class II at all stations except station 1 where it was classified as Class II at both samples. The result indicates that reservoir water and the dam operation greatly influence the TAN concentration in the downstream river of the dam.Figure2 shows that no significant difference of TP (p value > 0.05) was observed as we moved along the downstream river stations in both opened and closed spillway conditions. However, TP concentrations were higher when spillway was opened, and values ranged from 24.2
±
0.6 to 45.1
±
5.0 μg/L and 144.7
±
7.9 to 178.2
±
2.4 μg/L when the spillway was closed and opened, respectively. The mean value of TP increased significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) from 38 μg/L to 152.7 μg/L when the spillway was opened compared to closed spillway (Table 2). The result indicates that reservoir water contributes substantial TP to the downstream river and the impact extended up to a distance of 32 km in the present study. Nevertheless, TP concentration along the downstream river is classified as Class I for both trips indicating that the TP concentration is still of acceptable standard according to Malaysia National Water Quality Standard [23].


## 4. Conclusions

The present study indicates that Bakun hydroelectric dam plays a significant role in regulating the downstream water quality. The downstream river was low in pH and DO but high in turbidity, TS, BOD5, COD, TAN, and TP. Nevertheless, the pH and DO gradually increased along the downstream river. Opening the spillway increased the mean DO, turbidity, BOD5, TAN, and TP significantly whereas it decreases mean TS and COD significantly in the downstream river. The low pH and high turbidity and TP remained along the downstream river up to a distance of 32 km from the dam whereas the DO, BOD5, and COD decreased significantly with increasing distance from the dam. Besides the influence of the reservoir water, the water quality of the downstream river was also subjected to anthropogenic activities particularly at station 3 and station 5 which are located below longhouses and township. High turbidity, TS, and BOD5 were observed at station 3 whereas high turbidity and BOD5 were observed at station 5. Even though opening the spillway increased DO and reduced toxic sulphide in the downstream river, further studies need to be conducted to see the effect of the total dissolved gas supersaturated water on the aquatic organisms especially fish in the area.



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*Source: 7895234-2016-08-28.xml*