Effects of Sand-Harvesting on River Water Quality and Riparian Soil Physico-Chemical Properties

The widespread distribution of river sand-harvesting activities continues to degrade river water quality and the surrounding riverine environments. This study determined practical effects of sand-harvesting on two rivers in Kakamega County Kenya. Water samples were tested for turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS). For riparian soils, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), pH, organic carbon (OC), moisture content and textural class were determined on composite samples obtained from the field. Two control sites not affected by sand-harvesting were also used for comparison. Results indicate TSS concentrations increased during the rainy season when sand-harvesting was occurring, with significant differences between the control and sand-harvesting sample groups. Between seasons—dry and wet—in natural circumstances, the riparian soil moisture and phosphorus contents increased significantly. The study shows that river sand-harvesting degrades the aesthetic value of riparian areas, and makes rivers prone to bank erosion, and silt. This increases river water turbidity. The study concludes that sand-harvesting does not directly affect the riparian soil moisture content, total N, P, pH, OC or textural class, but reduces productivity of riparian land and puts the riverine ecosystems at risk.

The Role of Engineer-in-Chief and the Introduction of Foreign Hydraulic Dredging Technology and River Conservancy into China,1890s-1930s

This paper discusses studies of the development of river conservancy in modern China,and the role of engineers-in-chief in river improvement planning on rivers such as the Hai-ho(Haihe)and the Whangpoo(Huangpu).It discusses the introduction of foreign hydraulic dredging technology and management into two major Chinese ports.It then analyses the process by which two agencies of the Chinese government absorbed and adjusted this technology to suit local circumstances in the treaty ports of Tianjin and Shanghai beginning in the 1890s.Without prior experience in river conservancy,the conservancy boards adopted a range of foreign technologies.This allowed them to develop into major institutions that facilitated increasing trade flows between China and the rest of the world.Of particular significance in this process of technological change was the role of the expatriate engineers-in-chief who were employed as chief executive officers of both agencies.They were responsible for establishing the operations of the agencies,accommodating an increasing range of responsibilities such as financial and human resource management,and training Chinese engineers and managers for senior positions until they were ready to replace the expatriate engineers-in-chief after the 1930s.