THE MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO CHEMICAL QUALITY OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER’S OF BUNA RIVER-PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND VELIPOJA (ALBANIA)

Abstract

The hydrographic complex system of Lake Shkoder-River Buna, Velipoja Coast-Viluni lagoon covers a very important wetland area in regional level (South-Eastern Adriatic Sea) and is a key of importance to the natural and socio-economic processes. River Buna is the unique outflow in the south-eastern part of Shkoder Lake, and discharges its waters in Buna delta in Velipoja, 44 km far from Shkoder. The main activities in the region are agriculture, fishing, stock raising and tourism. Main threats of surface and groundwater’s in this area are anthropogenic pollution, effluent generated by livestock, precipitations etc. This paper aims providing some evaluations to water quality in terms of physical-chemical and microbial pollution of the surface and ground water in that region. In the frame of water quality assessment in Buna river-Velipoja protected landscape, were organized six sampling campaigns respectively on April –July 2019. The assessment of water quality in the Buna Delta Velipoja-Protected Landscape, was done by analyzing of thirteen physical-chemical parameters and microbiological analyses (E.coli) in seven sampling stations of surface water and four sampling stations for underground water. The quality of surface water is indicated from wastewater direct discharges of Shkoder city in river Buna and ground water quality mainly form agriculture. The parameters that were higher than EU standards were E. coli during summer time for both surface and groundwaters and Cl-, conductivity as a result of intrusion of saline water into freshwater aquifers. Surface and underground water’s of Buna river-Velipoja protected landscape plays an important ecological role in ecosystem preservation. Underground waters are widely used by the resident population for agricultural purposes and drinking. This region is risked by anthropogenic activities which affect the quality of natural water ecosystems.

Keywords

• anthropogenic
• livestock
• turbidity
• Escherichia coli

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