PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The development of residential areas in the trend of urbanization and the development of industrial parks and clusters have caused risks to reduce the surface water quality of the Mekong River in An Giang province. This study was conducted by sampling surface water affected by urban areas and affected by industrial parks/clusters (seven sampling points) in June 2021 and analyzing the parameters of temperature, pH, DO, TSS, COD, BOD5, N-NO3-, N-NH4+, P-PO43-, Coliform, As, Pb, Hg, Benzene hexachloride, Dieldrin. The analytical results of water samples were compared with the National Technical Regulation of Vietnam. The water quality index was calculated according to the technical guidelines of the Vietnam Environment Administration (VN_WQI). The results show that domestic and industrial wastewater has polluted the surface water of the Tien River and the Hau River, two important rivers of the downstream Mekong River, flowing through An Giang province. The pollution shows in parameters of TSS, DO, BOD5, COD, N-NH4+, and Coliform that exceeds allowable limits. However, other parameters such as temperature, pH, N-NO3-, P-PO43- are mostly at the acceptable range and within allowable limits. Based on the WQI, most of the water quality at the sampling points is poor. Therefore, it is recommended that people not directly use the Tien River and Hau River water in An Giang for drinking and domestic purposes. It is necessary to apply appropriate water treatment measures. In the coming time, authorities need to monitor and take appropriate measures to treat and manage wastewater from urban areas and industrial parks/clusters.

• Aik, H. L., & Hamid, N. (2015). BOD:COD ratio as an indicator for river pollution. International Proceedings of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, 88(15), 89-94. https://doi.org/10.7763/IPCBEE. 2015.V88. 15

• An Giang Center for Environmental Monitoring and Techniques, Resources. (2019). Report on results of environmental monitoring in An Giang province November, 2019. People’s Committee of An Giang province. https://media.angiang.gov.vn/pictures/2021/01/31/58_dinh%20kem_cong%20bo%20hien%20trang%20moi%20truong%20ag%202016-2020.pdf

• An Giang Department of Natural Resources and Environment. (2020). Report on environmental status of An Giang province in the period 2016-2020. People’s Committee of An Giang province. https://media.angiang.gov.vn/quan%20trac%20moi%20truong/2019/12/BC%20Ket%20qua%20quan%20trac%20dot%20T11_2019.pdf

• Asthana, D. K. (2006). Text book of environmental studies (pp. 158-159). S. Chand Publishing.

• CH2M Hill. (1979). Rock creek watershed conservation study (pp. 8-2). The Region.

• Chea, R., Grenouillet, G., & Lek, S. (2016). Evidence of water quality degradation in lower Mekong basin revealed by self-organizing map. Plos One, 11(1), Article e0145527. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145527

• Dieu, H. T. Q., Phong, N. H., & Hop, N. V. (2016). Study on the Tien River water quality assessment. Vietnam Journal of Analytical Sciences Society, 21(1), 38-48.

• Giao, N. T., Nhien, H. T. H., Anh, P. K., & Ni, D. V. (2021). Classification of water quality in low-lying area in Vietnamese Mekong delta using set pair analysis method and Vietnamese water quality index. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 193, Article 319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09102-1

• Huong, T. T., Ngoc, T. B., & Thanh, N. T. B. (2006). Assessment of water quality of the Tien River and the Hau River in some residential areas in Dong Thap, Vinh Long and Can Tho province in 2006. Ho Chi Minh City Journal of Medicine, 12(4), 185-191.

• Khanh, N., Kitaya, Y., Liya X., Endo, R., & Shibuya, T. (2015). Microalgae culture with digestate from methane fermentation - Effects of pH and concentrations of digestate on growth of Euglena gracilis. Eco-Engineering, 27(1), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.11450/seitaikogaku.27.7

• Khanh, N., Kitaya, Y., Xiao, L., Endo, R., & Shibuya, T. (2013). Selection of microalgae suitable for culturing with digestate from methane fermentation. Environmental Technology, 34(13-14), 2039-2045. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2013.828093

• Lien, N. T. K., Ut, V. N., Phu, T. Q., Oanh, D. T. H., & Huy, L. Q. (2016). Water quality in mainstream and tributaries of the Hau River. Can Tho University Journal of Science, 43, 68-79. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jvn.2016.138

• Mogens, H., Mark, C. M. V. L., Ekama, G. A., & Damir, B. (2008). Biological wastewater treatment: Principles, modelling and design (pp. 40-41). IWA Publishing. https://doi.org/10.2166/9781780401867

• Nam, C. P., Hiep, T. V., Vien, D. V., & Duong, V H. T. (2009). Study on pollution assessment and eutrophication of surface water in some canals connecting the Tien River and the Hau River in Vinh Long, Dong Thap and Tien Giang province. Vietnam Journal of Hydrometeorology, 581, 29-35. http://tapchikttv.vn/article/488

• Nguyen, G. T., & Huynh, T. H. N. (2020). Evaluating water quality variation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta area using cluster and discriminant analysis. Applied Environmental Research, 43(1), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.35762/AER.2021.43.1.2

• Nguyen, G. T., Huynh, T. H. N., & Truong, H. D. (2021). Characteristics of surface water quality and diversity of Zoo benthos in water bodies, An Giang Province, Vietnam. Applied Environmental Research, 43(2), 60-76. https://doi.org/10.35762/AER.2021.43.2.5

• Nhan, T. T., & Nhan, D. K. (2014). Correlation between surface water quality and socio-economic in Can Tho and Soc Trang. Can Tho University Journal of Science, 2014(3), 92-100.

• Phat, P. H., Nam, N. Đ. G., Toan, P. V., Tri, V. P. Đ., & Truc, D. T. (2019). Surface water quality of the Tien River flowing through Tan Chau area, An Giang province. Can Tho University Journal of Science, 55, 53-60. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jsi.2019.131

• Shipin O., Koottatep T., Khanh, N. T. T., & Polprasert, C. (2005). Integrated natural systems for developing communities: Low-tech N-removal through fluctuating microbial pathways. Water Science and Technology, 51(12), 299-306. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2005.0488

• Tam, N. T., Bao, T. Q., Minh, H. V. T., Thanh, N. T., Lien, B. T. B., & Tuyet, N. D. (2021). Evaluating the surface water quality affected by activities in Can Tho City. Vietnam Journal of Hydrometeorology, 2022(733), 39-55. http://doi.org/10.36335/VNJHM.2022(733).39-55

• Ut, V. N., Phu, T. Q., Lien, N. T. K., Oanh, D. T. H., & Huy, L. Q. (2016). Water quality in mainstream and tributaries of the Hau River. Can Tho University Journal of Science, 43, 68-79. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jvn.2016.138

• Van, N. P., Khanh, N. T. T., Loc, T. T., Dong, N. T., Khuong, N. Q. , Mai, V. T., & Hai, T. N. (2020). Dual-electronic nanomaterial (synthetic clay) for effective removal of toxic cationic and oxyanionic metal ions from water. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2020, Article 1783749. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1783749

• Vietnam Environment Administration. (2019). Decision No.1460/QD-TCMT on promulgating technical guidelines for calculation and publication of Vietnam water quality index (VN_WQI). http://www.quantracmoitruong.gov.vn/storage/news_file_attach/QD%201460%20TCMT%20ngay%2012.11.2019%20WQI.pdf

• Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. (2015). QCVN 08-MT:2015/BTNMT-National technical regulation on surface water quality of Vietnam. http://cem.gov.vn/storage/documents/5d6f3ecb26484qcvn-08-mt2015btnmt.pdf

• Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. (2017). Circular 24/2017/TT-BTNMT on promulgating technical regulations on environmental monitoring and Vietnamese standards and regulations. http://vanban.chinhphu.vn/portal/page/portal/chinhphu/hethongvanban?class_id=1&mode=detail&document_id=191603&category_id=0

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (1995). TCVN 5994:1995-Vietnam National standard on water quality-sampling-guidance on sampling from natural lakes and man- made lakes. https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN+5994%3A1995

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (1996). TCVN 6187-2:1996 - Vietnam National standard on water quality-detection and enumeration of organisms thermotolerant coliform organisms and presumptive Escherichia coli. Part 2: Multiple tube (most probable number) method. https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN%206187-2:2020

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (2008). TCVN 6663-6:2008-Vietnam National standard on water quality-sampling-part 6: Guidance on sampling of rivers and streams. https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN+6663-6%3A2008

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (2011a). TCVN 6492:2011-Vietnam National standard on water quality-water quality-determination of pH. https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN+6492%3A2011

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (2011b). TCVN 6663-1:2011-Vietnam National standard on water quality-sampling-part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling programmes and sampling techniques. https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN%206663-1:2011

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (2011c). TCVN 6665:2011-Vietnam National standard on water quality-determination of selected elements by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN+6665%3A2011

• Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. (2016). TCVN 7325:2016-Vietnam National standard on water quality-determination of dissolved oxygen-Electrochemical probe method. https://tieuchuan.vsqi.gov.vn/tieuchuan/view?sohieu=TCVN+7325%3A2016

• Von, S. M. (2015). Wastewater characteristics, treatment and disposal (pp. 40-41). IWA Publishing. https://doi.org/10.2166/9781780402086

• Wilbers, G. J., Becker, M., Sebesvari, Z., & Renaud, F. G. (2014). Spatial and temporal variability of surface water pollution in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Science of the Total Environment, 485, 653-665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.049