Analysis of the Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Water Quality in the Protected Area of the Buna River, Shkoder Albania
Abstract
Protected freshwater areas can be extremely important for preserving their biodiversity, as well as providing ecosystem services around them. Globally, there is an increasing need to reduce threats to freshwater resources in protected areas, as well as to recognise the associated issues and manage them in order to safeguard these resources. This study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and microbiological quality along the Buna river in the Shkodra region of Albania. The Buna river flows through both urban and rural areas of great interest in northern Albania. The surrounding area includes a mosaic of natural habitats with rich biodiversity and serves as an important destination for nature-based tourism. The assessment of Buna River’s quality was carried out through a detailed analysis of the previously missing correlation between physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. This study aimed to take a new approach by analysing the correlation between these two aspects of water quality in this ecologically and touristically important protected area. Sampling in the Buna river was conducted monthly from June 2023 to September 2024 at six stations, resulting in a total of 600 analyses. For the evaluation of the correlation between the data obtained from the study areas, the statistical program SPSS was used, specifically the Pearson correlation. The study results provide a detailed overview of the state of the water and the impacts stemming from human activities such as pollution, agriculture, and tourism. The findings confirm that the majority of the stations were highly polluted in terms of microbiological and physico-chemical parameters. These data provide important recommendations for taking necessary measures and maintaining the ecological balance of this protected area of national and international importance.
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Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Freshwater Ecology |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | November 29, 2025 |
| Submission Date | June 17, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | August 6, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 20 Issue: 3 |
Cite
“Journal of International Environmental Application and Science”