The effects of industrial and agricultural activity on the water quality of the Sitnica River (Kosovo)

Abstract

An important issue in Kosovo is water pollution. The use of polluted water has a direct impact on human health and cause long-term consequences. The longest and most polluted river in Kosovo is the Sitnica, a 90 km long river with its source located near the village of Sazli. The river flows into the Ibar River in Northern Kosovo. Agriculture is prevailing activity in the basin of Sitnica which is why agricultural as well as industrial waste are the biggest water pollutants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate water quality of the river and analyse the pollution level along the Sitnica River caused by agricultural activities and industrial discharges. In order to assess the impact of pollutants on this river, a measurements were carried out in four (five) monitoring stations: the first station represents the reference station which has not undergone or has not been affected by polluting pressures, two stations in water areas affected by the irrigation of farming land and two monitoring stations in water areas affected by industrial wastewater discharge. Some of the parameters of water quality analysed are temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, DO, COD, BOD, P total, nitrates, sulfates, and heavy metals iron, manganese, zinc, nickel. Compared to the reference station the results obtained from the Gracka and Pestova monitoring stations prove that the dominant form of pollution is that from agricultural lands irrigation, while the Plemetin and Mitrovica stations show that the Sitnica River is affected by wastewater discharge which contains significant concentrations of heavy metals, as well as metal ions selected in this paper. It can be concluded that the irrigation of agricultural lands and discharges from mining significantly affect water quality of the Sitnica River.

Antioxidant Capacity of Salix alba (Fam. Salicaceae) and Influence of Heavy Metal Accumulation

“…The iron levels in several sampling sites exceeded the average values reported for the presence of iron in rivers (0.5-1 mg L −1 ) [72]. The obtained values for nickel were higher than those reported by Shala et al (2015), detected at the source of Sitnica river (0.015-0.033 mg L −1 ) [72]. Although lead was determined in only four samples, the values indicate that, in the samples in which it was detected, the lead concentration was higher than the value allowed by the WHO (0.05 mg L −1 ), and the zinc content in all water samples was under the limit described by the WHO (5 mg L −1 ) [46].…”

“…The average arsenic, chromium, and copper concentration in all samples along Sitnica river were below the permissible metal limit reported by Brent L [71]. The iron levels in several sampling sites exceeded the average values reported for the presence of iron in rivers (0.5-1 mg L −1 ) [72]. The obtained values for nickel were higher than those reported by Shala et al (2015), detected at the source of Sitnica river (0.015-0.033 mg L −1 ) [72].…”

Assessment of Water Quality of Sitnica River by Using Water Quality Index (Wqi)

“…26 Water quality parameters were determined using highly sophisticated measuring instruments. The methods used with these instruments were in line with standard methods of DIN, ISO, and EN 26 : WT was measured using HI 98130 in accordance with DIN 38404-C4 standard; TUR was measured using AQUALITIC/PC COMPACT in accordance with ISO 7027; EC was measured using WTW 350i according to DIN EN 27888 (C8) (11/1993) 27 ; the pH value was measured using HI 98130 based on DIN 38404-C5, DO and O 2 saturation were measured using HI 9146 in accordance with ISO 5814: 2012, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) was measured using Winkler in accordance with ISO 5815; Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was measured using chromate in accordance with ISO 15705; total organic carbon (TOC) was measured using UV-SECOMAN in accordance with DIN EN 1484 (H3); nitrates were measured using SECOMAN Prim Light in accordance with DIN 38405-D9; detergents (DET) were measured using SECOMAN UV in accordance with ISO 2870; phosphates were measured using SECOMAN Prim Light in accordance with ISO 6878; ammonium ion was measured using SECOMAN Prim Light in accordance with ISO 7150/1; nitrite was measured using SECOMAN Prim Light in accordance with DIN EN 26 777 D10, and sulfate was measured using SECOMAN Prim Light in accordance with ISO 8502-11: 2006 standard. 27 Canadian Water Quality Index In order to assess the drinking water quality, we have widely used the Water Quality Index (WQI) developed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.…”