Assessment of selected indicators of physicochemical conditions in the Rega River from 2018 to 2022 in accordance with EU regulations

The aim of this study, conducted in accordance with both European Union and national legislation, was to evaluate the physicochemical conditions of the Rega River in northern Poland, where efforts are underway to restore its watershed for migratory fish. From 2018 to 2022, water temperature, dissolv...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bonisławska Małgorzata, Nędzarek Arkadiusz, Tański Adam, Tórz Agnieszka, Formicki Krzysztof, Krzystolik Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sciendo 2024-09-01
Series:Fisheries & Aquatic Life
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2478/aopf-2024-0016
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The aim of this study, conducted in accordance with both European Union and national legislation, was to evaluate the physicochemical conditions of the Rega River in northern Poland, where efforts are underway to restore its watershed for migratory fish. From 2018 to 2022, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, alkalinity, total hardness (TH), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (CODCr), nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), and total phosphorus (TP) were measured at nine monitoring sites. The results showed that TSS and nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N) were the main factors threatening the suitability of the Rega River as a habitat for salmonid fishes. Additionally, maximum water temperatures occasionally exceeded the tolerance limits for these fishes. Seasonal variations in nitrogen and phosphorus forms, and the dependency of nitrogen forms on DO, indicated disruptions in natural biochemical processes due to surface runoff pollutants from the watershed. This includes fertilizer runoff from agricultural fields and municipal pollution from the towns through which the river flows. The findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring of Rega River waters to safeguard the habitat conditions required by environmentally sensitive fish species.
ISSN:2545-059X