The study on medium size river Sutla in Croatia indicated considerable water contamination at specific sites during the baseflow period, probably associated to low flow-rate (0.73–68.8 m3 s-1), and consequently low dilution capacity of this river. Various aspects of contamination were observed: increased conductivity to 1,000 µS cm-1, decreased dissolved oxygen level to 50%, 4–5°C increased water temperature, increased concentrations of several dissolved trace elements (e.g., maximal values of Li: 45.4 µg 1-1; Rb: 10.4 µg 1-1; Mo: 20.1 µg 1-1; Cd: 0.31 µg 1-1; Sn: 30.2 µg 1-1; Sb: 11.8 µg 1-1; Pb: 1.18 µg 1-1; Ti: 1.03 µg 1-1; Mn: 261.1 µg 1-1; and Fe: 80.5 µg 1-1) and macro elements (e.g., maximal values of Na: 107.5 mg 1-1; and K: 17.3 mg 1-1), as well as moderate or even critical fecal (E. coli: 4,888 MPN/100 ml; total coliforms: 45,307 MPN/100ml; enterococci: 1,303 MPN/100 ml) and organic pollution (heterotrophic bacteria: 94,000 cfu/ml). Although metal concentrations still have not exceeded the limits considered as hazardous for aquatic life or eventually for human health, the observed prominent increases of both metal concentrations and bacterial counts in the river water should be considered as a warning and incentive to protect the small and medium size rivers from the future deterioration, as recommended by EU Water Framework Directive.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 June 2011
Water Quality of Medium Size Watercourse Under Baseflow Conditions: The Case Study of River Sutla in Croatia
Zrinka Dragun,
Damir Kapetanović,
Biserka Raspor,
Emin Teskeredžić
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
Vol. 40 • No. 4
June 2011
Vol. 40 • No. 4
June 2011
Baseflow
Dissolved trace metals
Macro elements
Microbiological water quality
River Sutla
