Spatial distribution and temporal variation of chemical properties of drainage watercourses in rural and peri-urban areas of Novi Sad (Serbia)—a case study

Abstract

Waters are among to the most vulnerable environmental resources exposed to the impact of various point and non-point pollutants from rural/urban activities. Systematic and long-term monitoring of hydro-resources is therefore of crucial importance for sustainable water management, although such practice is lacking across many (agro-)hydro-ecosystems. In the presented study, for the first time, the spatial distribution (covering almost 9000 ha) and temporal variation (2006-2013) in certain quality parameters was characterized in drainage watercourses Tatarnica and Subic, whose catchment is rural and suburban areas close to the city of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia. Based on majority of observed parameters, both watercourses belonged to I and II water quality classes, with occasional presence of certain parameters (e.g., suspended solids, total phosphorus; ammonium) at extreme values exacerbating both watercourses to classes IV and V. The value of the synthetic pollution index (i.e., a combined effect of all considered parameters) showed a higher degree of water pollution in watercourse Subic (on average 2.00) than Tatarnica (on average 0.72). Also, cluster analysis for watercourse Tatarnica detected two groups of parameters (mostly related to nutrients and organic matter), indicating more complex impacts on water quality during the observed period, in which elucidation thus established water quality monitoring program would be of great importance.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations and Their Ratios as Indicators of Water Quality and Eutrophication of the Hydro-System Danube–Tisza–Danube

“…Similar results of N and P distribution in surface water were reported in other studies [16,21,35,39,56,75,80,91]. Leaching and runoff of nutrients from the surrounding farmlands after heavy precipitation, or inflow of water from the drainage system, can impact the seasonal distribution of nutrients in a waterbody as well [1,7,22,55,58,75].…”

“…Such surrounding favors' pollution of the canal network by agrochemicals and/or untreated wastewater from (non)point sources [13,71]. At the same time, the canals and their coasts serve as biooases, green ecological corridors that contribute to the biodiversity [7,37,38,63].…”

“…Moreover, surface hydro-resources are very vulnerable to external influences. They can be instantly degraded and devasted from the deposited organo-mineral matrices, while the restoration to the previous uncontaminated state is usually a slow and technically very demanding process [6][7][8][9].…”

Fish biomarkers from a different perspective: evidence of adaptive strategy of Abramis brama (L.) to chemical stress

“…This was also confirmed by König et al [22] by LVSPE of the River Danube water upstream Novi Sad. Chemical characterization of the Danube River water in the area of Novi Sad has been conducted also in other studies recognizing this area as a pollution hot spot [40,41].…”