An Ecological Assessment of the Pollution Status of the Danube River Basin in the Galati Region—Romania

Abstract

Physico-chemical parameters and bio-contamination assessment through protozoan cysts and helminths eggs were carried out from the period of June to September 2010 in order to appreciate the pollution of the Danube River Basin in Romania. It recorded a higher tenor in Magnesium ion (60 mg/L) with respect to the calcium ion (20 mg/L). Other ions identified at substantial proportions were iron (1.459 mg/L), manganese (6.583 mg/L), phenol (12.780 mg/L) and Aluminium (0.0441 mg/L). Twenty one ciliated protozoa were identified in our analysis of water in the Danube River. Prominent was the presence of Caenomorpha medusula and Metopus ovatus which are indicators of polysaprobity. Resistant forms of enteropathogenic protozoa were present in our samples. These are Cryptosporidium sp (65 oocysts/l in August), Entamoeba histolytica (22 cysts/L in September), Giardia sp with 30 cysts/L in August. The helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides, Clornochis sinensis, Diphyllobothium latum, Enterobius vermicularis, Heterophrys heterophrys, larva of strongiloides stercoralis and Taenia sp. There is a low impact of natural depollution mechanisms which can functionally reduce the impending effect of the communicable diseases that are being transmitted by humans who constantly explore this aquatic medium during their leisure or economic activities.

Biological and Physico-Chemical Evaluation of the Eutrophication Potential of a Highly Rated Temperate Water Body in South – Eastern Romania

“…These values are in line with the high correlation components substantiated for Metopus ovatus, Caenomorpha, Vorticella campanula, which are indicators of very high water contamination. The PCA carried out is in line with these statistical data and with the results obtained for other water bodies in the region (Ene et al 2010;Cioroi et al 2012) and the results are represented in Figures 15 -16. The statistical variables calculated for the soil content present total alkalinity, total hardness, electric potentialities, conductivity, total dissolved solids and the organic content as determinant factors of the pedo-environmental properties of soil from Lake Brates.…”

“…River Prut, Lake Stanca-Costesti, Lake Dubasari) is still far from the desired level, although the European environmental directives have been progressively implemented in the Romanian legislation since more than 10 years ago (Cioroi et al 2012;Zubcov et al 2012). As a result, the water of the Danube River and of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is consequently affected (Ene et al 2010;Pantelica et al 2012;G. Ajeagah et al 2012).…”

Analysis of Heavy Metals Concentration in Tissues of Three Different Fish Species Included in Human Diet from Danube River

“…Heavy metals in the environment are present due to anthropogenic and biogenic sources, which both have undeniable consequences [1]. One of the major problems today is the presence of environmental pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, especially heavy metals.…”

Surface Waters and Urban Brown Rats as Potential Sources of Human-Infective Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Vienna, Austria

“…From the most upstream point of the Danube basin to its mouth, Cryptosporidium oocysts have been detected in 40% of the samples taken monthly over 2004–2005 downstream from Budapest (Hungary) before the implementation of a wastewater treatment plant, in concentrations ranging from 0–0.5 oocysts/L [ 52 ], detected but not quantified in Serbia [ 53 ], and detected from June to September at the river mouth in Romania in 2010 with concentrations ranging from 10–65 oocysts/L [ 54 ]. Giardia cysts were frequently detected with concentrations ranging from 1.35–3 cysts/L at the same spot in Hungary [ 52 ] over 2004–2005, detected but not quantified in two different spots within Serbia without co-occurrence with Cryptosporidium [ 53 ], and also detected from June to September at the river mouth in Romania in 2010 with concentrations ranging from 4–45 cysts/L [ 54 ]. As in our results, Giardia concentrations reported by the aforementioned studies were usually higher than Cryptosporidium , except at the river mouth.…”