Estimation of water quality of Sava River (Vojvodina, Serbia) in the period 2004-2011 using Serbian Water Quality Index (SWQI)

Abstract

Estimation of water quality of Sava River (Vojvodina, Serbia) in the period 2004-2011 using Serbian Water Quality Index (SWQI) IntroductionWater quality is one of the most significant factors that have to be taken into account in evaluation of sustainability of a particular region (Córdoba et al., 2010). The important aspects taken into consideration when examining the top-priority problems of water quality are the economic influence, the influence on human health, the influence on the ecosystem, the influence of the geographic area as well as the duration of the influence (Dalmacija, 2004).The quality of the watercourse at any of the points depends on several key influences: basin lithology, atmospheric influences, climatic conditions and anthropogenic influences (Shrestha, Kazama, 2007). River systems play an important role in the sustainable development of the entire environment, especially if they flow through inhabited areas (Kowalkowski et al., 2006). In order to provide the sustainability of ecological balance, the presence and quality of water are very important (Karadavut et al., 2011) and there have been more researches based upon water quality observing (Parvulescu, Hamchevici, 2010). Anthropogenic influences can cause negative consequencies in short period of time as far as water quality is concerned (Yunus, Nakagoshi, 2004), whereas waterbody pollution represents the result of human activities on one hand, and intensive urbanization development on the other hand (Dragićević et al., 2010). The organic solid load and the dynamics of its degradation are very good indicators of the anthropogenic im- AbstractA Water Quality Index (WQI) is a numeric expression used to evaluate the quality of water bodies and make it easier understood by managers. This paper aims to assess water quality of Sava River in Vojvodina (North Serbia) for the 2004 -2011 period. For this purpose authors applied: Serbian Water Quality Index (SWQI) assessment. WQI value is dimensionless, single number ranging from 0 to 100 (best quality) derived from numerous physical, chemical, biological and microbiological parameters. For the Sava River SWQI was mainly rated as very good. This study shows a clear decrease in water quality during warmer periods of the year. Additionaly, this study shows that water quality along Sava River decreases slightly downstream, of Sremska Mitrovica station but it still provides values that according to SWQI descriptive quality indicator have been defined as good (72-83) and very good (84 -89). Also, this study shows an increase of SWQI downstream of the confluence of Drina River into Sava River. This methodology includes parameters for assessment of organic loading, but does not involve parameters of heavy metals concentration.

Assessment of water quality of the Tisa River (Vojvodina, North Serbia) for ten year period using Serbian water quality index (SWQI)

“…Numerous researches stated the same trend, e.g. Suquia River, Argentina (Pesce & Wunderlin, 2000), Odzi River, Zimbabwe (Jonnalagadda, Mhere, 2001), Bangpakong River, Thailand (Bordalo, et al, 2001), San Vicente Bay, Chile (Rudolf, et al, 2002), Pampa Murillo, Mexico (Hernández-Romero, et al, 2004), Veliki Bački kanal, Serbia (Pantelić, et al, 2012), Drina River (Levščešen, et al, 2013) Sava River (Bjelajac, et al, 2013).…”

“…In this paper we used Serbian Water Quality Index (SWQI) for description of the water quality. This system of surface waterbodies quality description represents the way of quality estimation for certain parameters group, where earlier researches and studies show that this method ensures general overwiev of surface water quality at cer- (Veljković, 2000;Veljković, 2001;Veljković, 2003;Đurašković, Vujović, 2004;Đurašković, Tomić, 2009;Pantelić, et al, 2012;Leščešen, et al, 2013;Bjelajac et al, 2013). The essence of the SWQI is that the ten chosen parametres (oxygen saturation, BOD5, ammonium ion, pH value, total nitrogen, orthophosphates, suspended matter, temperature, electroconductivity and coliform bacteria) by means of their quality (qi) represent the characteristics of surface waters reducing them to one index number.…”

“…By adding up the products (qi x wi) the index 100 is gained as the ideal sum of the weight of all the parameters (Oregon Water Quality Index Summary Report, 1996Report, -2005. Index points from 0 to 100 will be assigned to particular waterbody according to the points assigned to particular parameters (Pantelić et al, 2012;Leščešen et al, 2013;Bjelajac et al, 2013). Formula used for SWQI calculation is: Veljkovic, 2000b Main limitation for SWQI is relative small number of parameters.…”

Correlation between discharge and water quality: Case study Nišava river: Serbia

“…Index points, from 0 to 100, are assigned to particular waterbody according to the points assigned to particular parameters (Pantelić et al, 2012;Leščešen et al, 2014). Many studies show that SWQI method ensures general overview of surface water quality at certain place (Veljković, 2000;Veljković 2001;Đurašković & Vujović, 2004;Pantelić et al, 2012;Bjelajac et al, 2013;Leščešen et al, 2014).…”

“…For example, used parameters provide information about organic loading, but there is no information about heavy metal pollution. Since there is no single, universal parameter that properly describes surface water quality, investigators typically use several indicators related to sanitary quality, ability to sustain aquatic life, ecosystem productivity and aesthetics (Pharino, 2007;Bjelajac et al, 2013).…”