Evaluation of the water quality at Bogdalen watershed near Kvitfjell and Raudfjell wind farm area

Abstract

Wind energy is one of the important renewable energies that get fast development in recent years. The development of wind turbines can have potential environmental impact on the surrounding environment. Especially when the wind turbines are built near the watersheds, water quality in the watershed may be degraded. In this study, the water quality in Bogdalen watershed that in or surrounding Kvitfjell and Raudfjell wind farm, the biggest wind farm in the North of Norway was studied. The water was collected at 3 wind turbine points and one accumulation point in the watershed far from the wind turbine. The collected water samples were tested pH, the concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn and bacteria account of Intestinal enterococci, E.coli, clostridium perfringens and coliform. The results showed that the water in the watershed accumulation point has high bacteria account of Intestinal enterococci, E.coli, clostridum perfringens and coliform. The water has different degree of faecal pollution. The pollution is especially significant in the summer season. The water in the wind turbine point has high concentration of Al and Mn. However, the Al can easily remove by filtering the water through a filter paper. The Mn concentration didn't reduce much after the filtration. The concentration of Mn in the water is still higher than the limit values set by Ireland EPA.