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Ecological status evaluation of Serbian surface waters based on phosphorus concentrations
Mitrović, Tatjana
Perović, Marija
Milićević, Tijana
This study used total phosphorus (tot-P) and orthophosphate (o-PO4) concentrations to determine whether the surveyed water bodies met the criteria for good ecological status whichprovide conditions for the life and protection of fish and can be used for drinking water supplying, recreation, irrigation and industrial purposes. Both components are essential nutrients for the life activities of aquatic organisms, such as growth and primary productivity. This research presents the Environmental Protection Agency’s surface water quality data for 2016–2022, with evaluations based on the limit values set out in the “Official Gazette of RS,” No. 50/2012. Surface water quality was evaluated at 79 monitoring sites covering 47 distinct watercourses, as well as at six locations within the canal network and two reservoirs. Obtained results suggest good ecological status in the majority of monitored water bodies except several profiles which fell short of the good ecological status benchmarks. Hetin proved to be the most compromised location, followed by Nis, Vrbica, Raska, Kraljevo, the Ljubicevo bridge, and Bagrdan. The highest levels of pollution were observed at the Hetin and Nis profiles in 2020. Watercourses such as Stari Begej, Nisava, Zlatica, Ibar, and Velika Morava consistently surpassed the minimum ecological quality standards throughout the study period, likely as a result of industrial and urban discharges and agricultural runoff. Although elevated phosphorus and orthophosphates concentrations were detected at certain profiles, overall pollution trends remained relatively low across most monitored water bodies. Temporal trends of both parameters indicate increase in organic phosphorus levels.
engleski
2025
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Total phosphorus; Orthophosphates, Surface water pollution; Ecological status.