Changes in the Quality of the Danube River Water in the Section Smederevo-Kladovo in the Conditions of Backwater Effects

Abstract

The paper describes specific changes in the quality of the Danube river water under the conditions of backwater effects in the Hydropower Plant Djerdap I storage. The results of longterm tests in five profiles of the investigated section, at various discharges give a global view of the intensity of changes in the composition of water mass. The analysis included changes in the contents of: organic matter, oxygen regime, reduction of turbidity and changes in the composition and abundance of plankton. The specific changes in the domain of physico-chemical and biochemical processes and changes in the biological status of the watercourse (composition and structure of plankton) at varying retention times complete the picture of short-term changes in the investigated system. Presentation of some settling effects and processes in the sediment of the storage provides an idea of some long-term changes in the conditions of backwater effects of the Danube in the investigated section.