Complex Linkage between Watershed Attributes and Surface Water Quality: Gaining Insight via Path Analysis

Afed Ullah Khan; Hafiz Ur Rahman; Liaqat Ali; Muhammad Ijaz Khan; Humayun Mehmood Khan; Afnan Ullah Khan; Fayaz Ahmad Khan; Jehanzeb Khan; Liaqat Ali Shah; Kashif Haleem; Asim Abbas; Izaz Ahmad

doi:10.28991/cej-2021-03091683

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Afed Ullah Khan
afedullah@uetpeshawar.edu.pk
1) Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu, Pakistan. 3) National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, 25000,, Pakistan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2742-0377
Hafiz Ur Rahman Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Liaqat Ali Department of Sociology, University of Swabi, Swabi, 23430,, Pakistan
Muhammad Ijaz Khan Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Humayun Mehmood Khan Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Afnan Ullah Khan Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Fayaz Ahmad Khan 1) Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu, Pakistan. 3) National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, 25000,, Pakistan
Jehanzeb Khan Government Post Graduate College Kohat, Higher Education Department KPK,, Pakistan
Liaqat Ali Shah Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Kashif Haleem Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Asim Abbas Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan
Izaz Ahmad Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (Bannu Campus), 28100, Bannu,, Pakistan

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2021): April

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Understanding the influence of various variables on surface water quality is extremely important for protecting ecosystem health. The principal aim of this study is to assess the direct (DE), indirect (IE) and total effects (TE) of socio-economic, terrestrial and hydrological factors on surface water quality via path analysis through the lens of 15 sub-basins located on Indus basin, Pakistan. Four path models were selected based on Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.999 value. First path model showed that rangelands having low population density decline river runoff which decreases instream Electrical Conductivity (EC) because of lower anthropogenic activities. Second path model depicted that croplands having higher population density enhance river runoff due to irrigation tail water discharge which decline instream EC because of dilution. Third path model showed that croplands with higher population density enhance river runoff which increases instream NO₃ concentration because of unscientific application of irrigation water. Fourth path model unveiled that croplands enhance Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which enhance river runoff and instream NO₃ concentration. To protect ecosystem health, Best Management Practices (BMPs), precision farming and modern irrigation techniques should be adopted to reduce irrigation tail water discharges containing pollutants entry in Indus River.

Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091683

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Khan, A. U., Rahman, H. U., Ali, L., Khan, M. I., Khan, H. M., Khan, A. U., … Ahmad, I. (2021). Complex Linkage between Watershed Attributes and Surface Water Quality: Gaining Insight via Path Analysis. Civil Engineering Journal, 7(4), 701–712. https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2021-03091683

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Complex Linkage between Watershed Attributes and Surface Water Quality: Gaining Insight via Path Analysis

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