Transboundary river water quality as a core indicator for sustainable environmental development in Europe: A case study between republics of Bulgaria and Serbia

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, Hydrology and Water Management Research Centre, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NIGGG-BAS), Sofia, Bulgaria & Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 3, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

2 National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, Department of Geography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NIGGG-BAS), Sofia, Bulgaria & Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 3, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

10.22124/cjes.2023.6491

Abstract

In recent years, the issue of the sustainable management and protection of water resources has gained increasing emphasis in environmental policies at the local, national and supranational levels. The goal of the present study is the analysis and assessment of water quality in the Bulgarian section of the Timok, Nishava and Erma (Jerma) rivers for the period 2015-2021. The quality status of the studied river courses was assessed by the values of ten physicochemical indicators and the concentrations of eight heavy metals. The analysis and assessment performed were based on the Water Act (WA) in accordance with the criteria by Directive 2000/60/EC or so called Water Framework Directive. The Canadian Water Quality Index (CWQI) was applied for the analysis. Achieving the goal formulated in the study could serve as a good basis for making informed management decisions.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 21, Issue 2
April 2023
Pages 291-300

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