Assessment of surface water pollution indices from the urban
ecosystem of Bălți
Author(s):
Petru PRODAN1,2, Constantin BULIMAGA1, Andrian ȚUGULEA1 and Nadejda GRABCO1,3
1 Institute of Ecology and Geography of State University, Moldova 2 Laboratorul Investigații de Mediu S.R.L., Moldova 3 State University of Moldova, Moldova
At the current stage in the Republic of Moldova, surface waters
are subject to anthropogenic pressures, with a high degree of pollution with
organic substances, thus changing the chemical composition of the water.
Regarding the administration of the sustainable management of water
resources, the Republic of Moldova faces a series of challenges and long-term
trends, both at the national and regional level. The present study aims to
evaluate the state of surface water quality in the Bălți urban ecosystem,
based on physical-chemical indicators, for which we used data from the third
quarter, 2022. The proposed methodology includes taking water samples,
chemical analysis under laboratory conditions, processing the results and
classifying the quality status of water bodies according to the degree of
pollution. The statistical data provided, confirmed a high degree of pollution
with organic substances (chemical and biochemical oxygen demand, matters
in suspension), the water bodies falling into quality class V (very polluted),
except the Flămânda tributary, class I (very good). The highest degree of
pollution with ammonium ions and nitrites was found in the Răut river,
downstream from the sewage treatment plant. Thus, in 80% of the
investigated water bodies, major deviations of the physical-chemical values
from the natural fund of the water quality were found, the biological
components, especially fish, are damaged and the water cannot be used for
certain purposes. The present study reflects the current scenario of surface
water quality in the Bălți urban area, thus helping policy planners and
decision makers in the Republic of Moldova to adopt appropriate
management and mitigation strategies for sustainable management of water
resources.
Keywords:
water bodies, water quality class, urban ecosystem, degree of pollution, source of pollution,
eutrophication.