Water quality (especially relating to dissolved oxygen, turbidity, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and nutrients) is a key concern in the Mekong Basin. Sediment and associated nutrient movement, naturally cyclically driven by the monsoon season, is becoming increasingly impacted by human activities including dam construction and land use changes. Pollution issues, particularly downstream of Phnom Penh due to growing population densities and intensive farming practices, are becoming more prevalent, and reservoir stratification and decay of organic material may directly affect ecosystem dynamics.
Further downstream, during the dry season, salinity intrusion occurs up to 70km inland. Determining the discharge distribution over this multi-channel estuary requires complex hydraulic modelling which we are able to assist with. Excessive algal blooms may cause eutrophication and negative effects on fisheries and aquaculture. Through hydrological simulations and analysis, we can quantify and understand the chemical health of the river, considering the long-term influences on the ecosystem.
