SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF WATER QUALITY AND EUTROPHICATION LEVELS OF DIVICI-POJEJENA WETLAND

References: 16th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2016, SGEM Vienna GREEN Extended Scientific Sessions, www.sgemviennagreen.org, SGEM2016 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7105-81-0 / ISSN 1314-2704, 2 - 5 November, 2016, Book 3 Vol. 3, 267-274pp, DOI: 10.5593/SGEM2016/HB33/S02.034

ABSTRACT

The research presented in this study aimed at evaluating and spatial distributing the surface water quality, during June-July 2014, in Divici-Pojejena wetland, as well as classifying the water from this wetland into trophic categories. Within the wetland area of Divici-Pojejena, high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients associated with a low rate of water flow (approx. 0.3 m/s) lead to achieving favourable conditions for phytoplankton growth and occurence of eutrophication. Results of laboratory analyses on water quality emphasize that eutrophication affects the entire wetland of Divici-Pojejena, the highest eutrophication level being recorded at the limit of the downstream area of this wetland (1055 Km). At this point, the concentrations of nutrients (total mineral nitrogen and total phosphorus), of chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton biomass had values that came under the hypertrophy field. In adjacent areas, where the average speed of water flow is approx. 1.7 m/s, in the main river bed of the Danube River respectively, it appears that chemical parameters monitored downstream of the wetland, namely nitrites, consume oxygen and total iron show an increase comparing to the upstream area, relatively high values of these indicators are likely to be the result of human activities carried out within this area.

Keywords: eutrophication assessment, water quality, Danube River, spatial distribution, chlorophill-a