Learning about monitoring methods of water environment in thai nguyen center for resources and environment monitoring

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY

NGUYEN KHANH HUONG
LEARNING ABOUT MONITORING METHODS OF WATER
ENVIRONMENT IN THAI NGUYEN CENTER FOR RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

BACHELOR THESIS

Study Mode: Full-Time
Major:

Environmental Science and Management

Faculty:

The Advanced Education Program

Batch:

2014 - 2018

Type:

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

Thai Nguyen, 25/09/2018


DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT

Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry
Degree Program Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management
Student name

Nguyen Khanh Huong

Student ID

DTN1453110065
LEARNING ABOUT MONITORING METHODS OF WATER

Thesis Title

ENVIRONMENT

IN

THAI

NGUYEN

CENTER

FOR

RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT MONITORING
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai - Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture
Supervisor (s)
and Forestry.
Abstract: Nowadays, environmental protection in general and protection of water

resources in particular is a global issue. In Vietnam, water sources in rivers and
reservoirs are being seriously impacted by pollution from urban areas, industrial
parks, rural residential areas, agricultural activities and other community activities.
Therefore, prevention of water pollution is a very urgent task. In order to assess the
quality of water environment, environmental monitoring is a key activity and
indispensable in the management and protection of the environment. This report
covers the functions, tasks and activities of Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and
Environment Monitoring, which summarizes theories, experiences and other
practical skills that help students access future career-related jobs. Thus, students can
prepare for themselves well enough to be able to confidently undertake professional
work when they graduate.

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Keywords:

Water

pollution;

Environmental

Monitoring;

Water

environment; Monitoring methods;
Number of pages:

45

Date of

25th September, 2018

Submission:
Supervisor’s
signature

ii


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I would like to send my sincere thanks to teachers of the Advanced
Education Program (AEP) as well as teachers of Thai Nguyen University of
Agriculture and Forestry, who have taught enthusiastically with extensive knowledge
not only for my subjects but also for my soft skills and give me a chance to practice at
Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and Environment Monitoring. In addition, I would
like to thank all supports and help from the leadership of Thai Nguyen Center for
Environment and Resources Monitoring, has enabled me to practice at the Center.
During the internship at the Center, I have learned a lot of practical experience,
specialized knowledge and high sense of responsibility in the work. In order to get that
result, I would like to thank Mr. Duong Van Hung - Head of Monitoring Room and
all the staffs for their help and created favorable conditions to help me complete my
internship.
I would like to give special thank to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, who is always
supported and helped me a lot in spending much time for checking my thesis report.
Finally, I would like to express my deeply gratitude to my family and friends for
providing me emotional, unceasing encouragement, physical and financial support. I

would like to thank all those other persons who helped me in completing this report.
Because of my lack knowledge, the mistake is inevitable, I am very grateful if I
receive the comments and options from teachers and others to contribute my report.
Sincerely yours,

Nguyen Khanh Huong

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT.....................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................... iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................. iv
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................ vii
LIST OF ABBREVIATION ......................................................................................................... viii
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................1
1.1. Rationale ...................................................................................................................1
1.2.Objectives ..................................................................................................................2
1.3. Content of work ........................................................................................................2
1.4. Profile of the cooperating agency .............................................................................2
1.4.1. History of formation and development .................................................................2
1.4.2. Functions and main tasks.......................................................................................3
1.4.3. Organization of the apparatus ................................................................................6
1.5. Assigned tasks during internship ..............................................................................7
1.6. Timeline ....................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER II. LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................9
2.1. The scientific basis of the topic ................................................................................9
2.1.1. Concepts of environment .......................................................................................9

2.1.2. Water pollution ......................................................................................................9
2.1.3. Environmental monitoring...................................................................................11
2.2. Research situation in Vietnam and in the world.....................................................14
2.2.1. International literature review .............................................................................14
2.2.2. National literature review ....................................................................................15
CHAPTER III. CONTENTS AND WORK STEPS OF WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING .................................................................................. 17
3.1. Planning and building monitoring contents............................................................17
3.2. Environmental monitoring in the field ...................................................................18
3.2.1. Preparation ...........................................................................................................18
3.2.2. Work in the field ..................................................................................................19
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3.2.3. The preservation of water samples ......................................................................24
3.3. Practice of water environment monitoring .............................................................26
3.3.1. Action plan on 18/4/2018: ...................................................................................26
3.3.2. Action plan on 09/05/2018 ..................................................................................27
CHAPTER IV. DISCUSSION AND LESSON LEARNED ........................................... 29
4.1. Discussion ...............................................................................................................29
4.2. Lesson learned ........................................................................................................30
4.2.1. Results after monitoring ......................................................................................32
CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................. 34
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 35
APPENDICES................................................................................................................................. 37

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3.1. Examples of the various types of field meters available. From up to
down: a multi-parameter meter YSI 556 and TOA 22A............................23
Figure 3.2. Sampling of wastewater from workshop 2 of Luu Xa Cement Plant ........27
Figure 3.3. Rapid measurement of parameters and preservation of samples in the
field ............................................................................................................27
Figure 3.4. Sampling of surface water in Son Cam......................................................28
Figure 3.5. Rapid measurement of parameters and preservation of samples in the
field (Son Cam) Some photos of other field monitoring ...........................37

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1. Method to take water sample in the field ...................................................20
Table 3.2. General techniques are suitable for preserving surface water, waste
water, storm water, ground water and domestic water ..............................25
Table 4.1. Environmental quality of wastewater at the outlet of domestic
wastewater before discharging into the environment (2017) .....................32

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LIST OF ABBREVIATION
Abbreviation

Meaning of acronyms

BOD

Biochemical or biological oxygen demand

BTNMT

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

COD

Chemical oxygen demand

DO

Dissolved oxygen

EC

Electrical conductivity

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

NTSH

Production wastewater

NTSX

Domestic wastewater

QCVN

National Technical Regulation

QD-UBND

Committee of people

TCVN

Vietnam Standard

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CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Rationale
Today, environment is not just a matter of a locality or a nation but has become a
common concern of all humanity. The strong socio-economic development,
urbanization and industrial development in our country, together with insufficient
awareness and lack of human responsibility that has made environment are
increasingly seriously degraded. This leads to the risk of ecological imbalance, the
depletion of natural resources that affect the quality of life and the goal of sustainable
development of the country.
Facing a series of urgent issues, one of the solutions that the State attaches great
importance is the promotion of scientific and technological research and the training of
experts in the field of environment, which contribute significantly to the protection of
the environment and the country, keeping the planet Earth green for generations to
come.
As a final year student in Environmental Science and Management, Thai Nguyen
University of Agriculture and Forestry, the internship is one of the necessary and

useful subjects. So, I proceed to topic “learning about monitoring methods of water
environment in Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and Environment Monitoring " to
assist each student to better understand about water environment monitoring and their
specialization, consolidate the theories were approached at school since then apply that
knowledge in practical. Simultaneously, give students the studying and working style
properly when they graduate to become qualified professionals who meet the practical
requirements.

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1.2. Objectives
- Give students the opportunity to apply the theory to practice, to practice their
skills in a harsh working environment that requires not only knowledge in books but
also practical knowledge.
- Understand the knowledge of monitoring about water environment components.
Simultaneously, know some skills such method as taking and preserving samples and
methods of quick measurement of some indicators (pH, BOD, COD, DO, TSS,..) in the
field.
1.3. Content of work
- Learn about the functions, tasks and activities of Thai Nguyen Center for
Resource and Environmental Monitoring.
- Learn about the content and steps of water environmental monitoring.
1.4.

Profile of the cooperating agency
Name: THAI NGUYEN CENTER FOR RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL

MONITORING
Address: 425A - Phan Dinh Phung Stress, Thai Nguyen City, Thai Nguyen

Province.
Phone: 0280.3750876

Fax: 0280.3650871

Email:
1.4.1. History of formation and development

Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and Environment Monitoring was formerly
the Station for Environment Monitoring and Analysis, built in 1998 by the Ministry of
Science and Technology for Environment, with the aim of building a monitoring
station for the Northeast.

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- In 2004, the station for environmental monitoring and analysis was upgraded to
the Center of Environmental Monitoring and Protection - Thai Nguyen Department of
Natural Resources and Environment.
- Decision on renaming and reorganizing Center for Environmental Monitoring
and Protection into Center for Environmental Monitoring No. 319/QD-UBND dated
18/02/2008 of Thai Nguyen People's Committee.
- Decision on the reorganization and renaming Center for Environmental
Monitoring into Center of Environmental Monitoring and Technology No. 292/QDUBND dated 02/12/2010 of Thai Nguyen People's Committee.
- Decision on the reorganization and renaming Center for Environmental
Monitoring and Technology into the Center for Resources and Environment
Monitoring No. 1856/QD-UBND dated 28/07/2015 of Thai Nguyen People's
Committee.
1.4.2. Functions and main tasks

1. To measure, monitor and analyses the environmental indicators in the system
of environmental monitoring network in the province, Song Cau basin in 6 provinces,
the Northeast region.
2. To measure and monitor indicators in the field of water resources (water
quality monitoring, water reserve, water dynamics, surface water flow for surface
water, degraded and depleted water areas); Measurement, observation and analysis of
indicators in the field of mineral resources (mineral composition in mineral samples).

3


3. To serve the monitoring, inspection and control of environmental pollution and
solicitation of environmental technical expertise according to the requirements of
environmental technical expertise as required.
4. To investigate, survey and assess the current state of the environment,
environmental impact assessment synthesis and predict changes in the environment,
assess the impact of climate change; Statistical surveys, assessment of waste,
pollution, degradation, environmental incidents; Projects on biosafety and biodiversity
conservation.
5. To formulate and implement of schemes and projects: classification,
collection, treatment, reduction, recycling and burial of wastes; Projects, tasks on
protection, remediation, and renovation of the environment of polluted and degraded
river basins.
6. To research, investigate; survey the current status and the happening of
pollution impact on community health.
7. To organize the research, apply and deploy the scientific and technological
advances in the field of environment; to formulate and organize the implementation of
projects on application of scientific and technological achievements; research and
develop sustainable production models, cleaner production, and replication.
8. To research, build, transfer skills, techniques and techniques in the field of

environmental protection; method analysis tools.
9. To participate in the research the impact on the surrounding environment of
resource extraction activities and propose preventive management measures to reduce
environmental pollution.

4


10.

To implement the environmental consultancy services: making

environmental impact assessment reports, environmental protection commitments,
mineral exploitation projects and projects on environmental rehabilitation and
restoration after mineral exploitation. To compile dossiers of registration for hazardous
waste collection, transportation, treatment and destruction, compile dossiers of
registration and certification of establishments and environmentally friendly products
and cleaner production.
11. To investigate the preparation of investment reports, investment projects,
technical designs and cost estimates of environmental protection works and treatment
of environmental pollution of land and water, dust and gas treatment; to construct,
monitor the construction; install the equipment for environmental protection and
treatment of environmental pollution.
12. To get involved in training, communicating to raise awareness about
environmental protection. To implement domestic programs and projects and
international cooperation on environmental protection iron mentally friendly products
and cleaner production.
13. To cooperate in joint-venture, associate and receive financial assistance from
organizations and individuals, contributing capital in cash, assets and value of
intellectual property rights in order to conduct scientific research and consultancy,

providing technical and environmental services in accordance with the law.
14. To organize financial management, property, personnel and other resources
assigned to the Center's operations in accordance with the law.

5


15. To Autonomy and self-responsibility in conducting environmental
technology activities, signing research contracts, techno-economic contracts, labor
contracts, training and fostering of cadres in the field area.
16. To implement the reporting regime according to regulations.
17. To perform other tasks assigned by competent authorities.
1.4.3. Organization of the apparatus

Leaders: - Director: Mr. Nguyen The Giang
- Deputy Director: Ms. Tran Thi Minh Hai
Professional departments:
- Department of Planning
- Department of Administration – General
- Department of Expert and Environmental Impact Assessment
- Department of Environment Technology
- Station of Environmental Monitoring:
+ Monitoring room
+ Laboratory

6


*) The organizational model of the Center:
Director

Deputy Director

Deputy Director

Department
of Planning

Department of
Administration
– General

Department
of Expert
and EIA

Station of
Environmental
Monitoring

Monitoring
room

Department
of
Environment
Technology

Laboratory

*) Qualifications: The center currently has 46 staffs
Of which: - Master degree: 24 people
- University level: 23 people
1.5.

Assigned tasks during internship
- Strengthening knowledge by studying legal documents on environment such as

laws, decrees, circulars and decisions.
- Participate in internal training sessions on wastewater and exhaust gases from
Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and Environmental Monitoring.

7


- Learn the position, functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of
Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and Environmental Monitoring.
- Monitor the field in a number of enterprises in the province to explore the
environmental management work: ground water and wastewater.
- Carry out the works and tasks assigned by the staff of Thai Nguyen Center for
Resources and Environmental Monitoring.
1.6. Timeline
Total months working at Thai Nguyen Center for Resources and Environmental
Monitoring are from 1st March, 2018 to 30th June, 2018.

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CHAPTER II. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1.

The scientific basis of the topic

2.1.1. Concepts of environment
a. Environment
"Environment refers to a system of natural and artificial physical factors affecting
the existence and development of human beings and creatures" (Law on
Environmental Protection, 2014).
b. Environmental pollution
"Environmental pollution refers to the change in the environment components in
breach of technical regulations on environment and environmental standards, which
can result in adverse impacts on human beings and creatures" (Law on Environmental
Protection, 2014).
2.1.2. Water pollution
a. Concept:
"Water pollution is a general change due to humans contaminate the water source
and endangering people, industry, agriculture, fish farming, leisure, recreation, animals
and wildlife".
"Water pollution is a bad change in the physical, chemical, and biological
properties of water, , With the presence of foreign substances in liquid, solid that make
water becomes toxic to humans and organisms, reducing biodiversity in water (Water
Pollution - Causes, Effects and Control. New Delhi: New Age International. p. 179).

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b. The importance of water
The presence of water is the first condition to determine the existence of life.
Where there is water, there is life. For human life, water is the foundation for all

activities. Water gives us a drink, creates food for us to eat, creates energy that
supports our modern economy, maintains ecological services, and other factors that we
all depend on. For the human body:
One can fast for a few weeks and still live but if he refuses to drink for three or
four days he will die. Because in the human body, water accounts for 60-70% of body
weight, distributed in all organs like brain, blood, heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, joints,
muscles... If these parts lack water will make the body tired, sleepy; nosebleeds
because of dry mucous, blood vessels are vulnerable; headache, dizziness, muscle
weakness; kidney stones are easy to form or regenerate due to the concentration of
minerals; increased risk of oral, throat, and respiratory infections due to air through the
nose is not dampened, irritating and causing the lungs to become sensitive to smoke,
dust, chemicals, allergic rhinitis. Severe water shortage will lead to lower blood
pressure, fast heart beat, less urination; dry mouth, very thirsty; skin, dry mucous, no
sweat; dry eye and swollen pain, body lose balance (West, Larry (2006-03-26). "World
Water Day: A Billion People Worldwide Lack Safe Drinking Water").
For social, economic and ecological environment
Water ensures food security for society so that no one is hungry and the food
maker is not poor compared with the common ground of society;
Water helps every human activity such as bathing, washing, cleaning, cooking,...
ensure the quality of each human life and health for the community.

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Water generates electrical energy to provide economic activity through the use of
dynamics or river flow power to spin water turbines and generators. This is a clean
energy source and accounts for 20% of the world's electricity, while limiting fuel costs
and labor costs. Water engages largely in the production of products for
exchange,trading in the market as producing a cup of coffee requires 140 liters of
water, a medium size cotton shirt requires 2.700 liters of water, 1 kg of rice requires

3,400 liters of water, a glass of 125ml of alcohol needs 120 liters of water... Thus, we
can see the majority of economic activity much depends on water resources The
economic value of water can not always be converted into money, because money is
not a measure of economic value, there are services of water that can not be evaluated
but of great economic value. Water also creates culture and civilized society, such as
Egyptian culture in the Nile Basin, Mesopotamia culture in the Tigris and Euphrates
basins, Indian culture in the Indus basin, and Chinese culture in the Yellow River
basin...
For other living species on earth
Water is very important for plants and animals to survive and develop as well as
for the exchange of nutrients within their bodies. In other words, without water, there
would be no life and no existence of any living creature on earth.
2.1.3. Environmental monitoring
a. Concept
"Environmental monitoring refers to the formal processes and activities that need
to take place to monitor the quality and components of the environment in a systematic
manner as well as factors affecting the environment in order to provide necessary

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information to prepare the assessment on current status and change of the environment
quality, and harmful impacts on the environment."(Law on Environmental Protection,
2014).
b. Indicators to assess water resources
The assessment of water quality as well as the level of water pollution may base
on some basic indicators and regulate the limits of each indicator in accordance with
the Law on Environmental Protection of a country or international standards
prescribed for each type of water used for different purposes. Combination with the
requirements for water quality and water pollutants, it is possible to provide some

indicators as follows (Water quality indicators, Regional Aquatics Monitoring
Program, 2016):
- pH
pH is one of the most important parameters and is used most frequently to assess
the level of water pollution, the quality of wastewater; evaluate of water hardness,
flocculation, ability of corrosion ... and in many calculations of base oxide balance.
The pH value indicates the degree of acid (when pH <7) or alkalinity (when
pH> 7), showing the chemical effects of entering the water. Low or high pH values
are harmful to aquatic life.
- SS (Suspended solid)
Suspended solids refer to small solid particles which remain in suspension in
water as a colloid or due to the motion of the water. The high suspended solids
content in the water causes poor visibility for many purposes; For example, it
reduces the ability of light transmissions in water, thus affect the photosynthesis

12


under water, which causes the exhaustion of oxygen in the water and lead to impact
aquatic life such as fish and shrimp. Suspended solids can obstruct fish gills, inhibit
respiration that lead to reduce fish growth, prevent the growth of eggs and larvae.
- DO (dissolved oxygen)
DO is the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in water, which is essential for the
respiration of aquatic organisms such as fish, shrimp, amphibians, insects, etc. Lakes
with high DO content are considered to be healthy and many species live there. Low
DO in the water reduces the growth of aquatic animals, even disappears or can kill
some species if DO drops dramatically. The cause of DO reduction in water is due to
the discharge of industrial wastewater, rainwater overflows draw the agricultural
wastes containing organic matter and leaf in the receiving source. Microorganisms
use oxygen to consume organic matter, which reduces oxygen levels.

- COD (Chemical oxygen Demand)
COD is an indicative measure of the amount of oxygen that can be consumed
by reactions in a measured solution. It is commonly expressed in mass of oxygen
consumed over volume of solution which in SI units is milligrams per liter. COD is
an important criterion for assessing the level of water pollution (wastewater, surface
water, and living water) as it indicates the amount of organic matter in the water. The
high COD content of the water indicates that the water source contains many organic
substances that pollute.
- BOD (Biochemical oxygen Demand)
BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed (i.e. demanded) by aerobic
biological organisms to break down organic material present in a given water sample

13


at certain temperature over a specific time period. The BOD have a practical
importance as it is the basis for the design and operation of the wastewater treatment
station; the greater the BOD value, the higher the level of organic pollution.
- Heavy metals
Heavy metals (arsenic, lead, chromium (VI), cadmium, mercury ...) are abundant
in water for many reasons: the dissolution of minerals, the metal components available
in nature or used in buildings, industrial waste; The effect of heavy metals varies
depending on their concentration, which may be useful if at low concentrations and
very toxic if at high concentrations.
- Coliform
Coliform bacteria (Coliform, Fecal coliform, Fecal streptococci, Escherichia coli
...) are universally present in large numbers in the feces of warm-blooded animals,
through the gastrointestinal tract they enter the environment and thrive if favorable
temperature conditions. The coliform data provides us with information on the level of
water hygiene and environmental sanitation conditions surrounding the sampling area.

2.2.

Research situation in Vietnam and in the world.

2.2.1. International literature review
Currently, continental and ocean water pollution is increasing at an alarming
pace. The speed of water pollution reflects realistically the pace of economic
development in the countries. The more the society develops, the more risk it will be.
Some examples as follow:

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In the United States, catastrophic water pollution also occurs in the eastern
shores, as well as in many other areas. The large Lakes region was heavily polluted, in
which Lake Erie, Ontario is seriously polluted.
As in England, in the early 19th century, the Thames River was very clean. By
the middle of the twentieth century it became an open drainage pipe. Other rivers have
similar situations before the introduction of strict protection measures.
In China, waste and industrial waste discharged annually in cities and towns
increased from 23.9 billion cubic meters in 1980 to 73.1 billion cubic meters in 2006.
Large amounts of untreated waste are still discharged into rivers. As a result, most of
the water in rivers and lakes is becoming increasingly polluted (STEPHEN LEAHY:
From Not Enough to Too Much, the World’s Water Crisis Explained, March 2018).
2.2.2. National literature review
Our country has a real industry has not developed, affected by the trend of
urbanization, industrial parks and urban pollution has occurred in many places, in the
sea, in rivers, and in the groundwater, with varying degrees of severity.
- Agriculture is the sector that uses the most water to irrigate rice and crops,
mainly in the Cuu Long Delta and Red River Delta. The use of agricultural

chemicals and chemical fertilizers further contribute to rural environmental
pollution.
- Industry is the main cause of water pollution, in which each sector has a
different kind of waste. For example, Viet Tri Industrial Park discharges
hundreds of cubic meters of waste-water from chemical plants, pesticides, paper
and textiles, into the Red River, has made the water significantly contaminated.

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Particularly, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City's industrial parks
generate huge industrial and living waste water that have polluted rivers and
adjacent areas
- Domestic water use is increasing rapidly due to rising population and urban
areas. Wastewater from domestic wastewater plus wastewater from small-scale
industry establishments in residential areas is characteristic of pollution in urban
centers in our country.
-

Groundwater also severely contaminated with river and lake pollution. The
widespread exploitation of groundwater causes salinity phenomena occur in the
coastal areas of Thai Binh, Cuu Long River (WATER IN CRISIS – VIETNAM,
Sahisna Suwal, Guest Writer, 2017).

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