Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Pollution Load by Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Cetina River

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of the investigations of the Cetina River, located in southern Croatia, was to record specific characteristics and properties of the Cetina waters at nine stations. In addition to measurements undertaken in the Cetina River, the water quality of its most significant springs and tributaries, such as Kosinac, Šilovka, Studenci and Mala Ruda, Velika Ruda and Grab, has also been measured. The water quality in the Cetina watershed has been evaluated in the following storage reservoirs: Peruča, Buško Blato and Prančevići. The nitrogen compounds and phosphorus concentrations have been estimated at all these sampling sites over a 3-year period (2005–2008). Concentration levels at the Cetina-Vinalić sampling site for total N (from August 2005 to December 2008) ranged from 0 to 1.759 mg/L, for NH3–N from 0 to 0.374 mg/L, for NO3–N from 0.063 to 0.916 mg/L and for PO4–P from 0 to 0.099 mg/L. The results prove that the Cetina-Vinalić sampling site is not polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. The river section from Trilj to the Prančevići dam, where the water is used for the water supply of Omiš, Makarska and Dalmatian islands, has been polluted by wastewater because the majority of agricultural area, roads, industry and settlements are located upstream of it. The highest concentration for total N of 1.128 mg/L and of 1,527 total coliforms in 100 mL, expressed as a mean value for a 3-year period of investigations, was found at the sampling site Trilj. The results of concentration changes at the Čikotina Lađa and Cetina Radmanove Mlinice sampling sites show no regularities. The highest concentration for total N of 0.941 mg/L was measured at the Cetina Radmanove Mlinice during 2007. The highest concentration for NO3–N of 0.916 mg/L was measured at the same sampling site. According to the investigations of the water quality of the Cetina springs and tributaries, the bacteriological most polluted river spring is Kosinac, and the bacteriological most polluted river tributary is Grab. With reference to the water quality in the Cetina storage reservoirs, it may be concluded that the lowest quality standard has been found within the Prančevići storage reservoir regarding nitrogen compounds and phosphorus concentration levels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AWWA (1995). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Washington: American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti, J., Francaviglia, R., Canali, S., & Sequi, P. (1995). Preventive measures under the Italian code of good agricultural practice for the protection of waters from nitrates. Croatian Waters, 3(12), 283–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berbenni, P., & Galassi, G. (1978). Chemica ed ecologica delle acque. Elas Libri, Milano, 43–46, 180–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonacci, O. (1987). Karst hydrology with special to the Dinaric Karst. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, p. 184.

  • CEC (1994). Desertification and Kind Degradation in the European Mediterranean, Commission of the European Communities, Directorate–General XII. Report EUR, 14850 Brussel.

  • Coccosis, H., Burt, T., & Van der Weide (1999). Conceptual framework and planning guidelines for integrated Coastal Area and River Basin, Management United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Split, Croatia: Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre, p. 85.

  • Graham, A. L. (1995). The code of good agricultural practice for the protection of water with particular reference to form waste management plans. Croatian Waters, 3, 309–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jovanović, S., Bonacci, O., & Anelić, M. (1986). Hidrometrija, Građevinski fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu, Beograd, p. 35.

  • Maki, A. W., Parcilla, B. D., & Wenett, H. R. (1984). Impact of detergent phosphorus bans on receiving water quality. Water Research, 18, 893–903.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niemi, J. S. (1998). The quality of river waters in Finland. European Water Management, 1, 36–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) (1982). Eutrophication of Waters Monitoring, Assessment and Control. Paris: OECD.

  • Official Bulletin of Croatia (1994). Croatian Standard for Drinking Water. No.46. Zagreb: Government Printing Office.

  • Sequi, P., & Vianello, G. (1993). Fasi Preliminari di Lettera del Territorio Finalizzato allo Studio di Vulnerabilita Ambientale in L impatto delle Agro technologie nel Bacino del Po (acuradi N. Polelli), Ed. Franco Angeli Roma, pp. 273–277.

  • Smith, R. V., Stevens, R. J., Roy, R. H., & Gibson, E. (1982). Upward trend in nitrate concentration in rivers discharging Lugh Neagh for the period 1969–1979. Water Research, 16, 183–188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Štambuk-Giljanović, N. (1999). Water quality evaluation by index in Dalmatia. Water Research, 33, 3423–3440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štambuk-Giljanović, N. (2001). The quality of water in the Buško Blato Reservoir. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 71, 279–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štambuk-Giljanović, N. (2002). Waters of Cetina River and its Catchment Area. Split: Institute for Public Health Split, p. 814.

  • Štambuk-Giljanović, N. (2003). Comparison of Dalmatian waters evaluation indices. Water Environment Research, 75, 388–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štambuk-Giljanović, N. (2006). Waters of Dalmatia (second enlarged edition). Split: Institute for Public Health Split, p. 588.

  • Stanners, D., & Bourdeau, P. (eds) (1995). Europe,s Environment. The Dobris Assessment Compiled by Eurostat together with other organisations, p. 455.

  • UNEP/MAP/PAP (2000). River Cetina Watershed and the Adjacent Coastal Area: environmental and Socio-economic Profile. Split: Priority Actions Programme.

  • Urlich, Hege & Heino, Scaupp. (1996). Effects of agricultural land use on the nitrate content of leakage and measures to avoid them. Croatian Waters, 4, 97–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (1995). Compendium of tools for watershed assessment and TMDL development, Draft. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water.

  • USEPA (1997). Monitoring guidance for determining the effectiveness of non point source controls, Report EPA 841-b-96-004. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water.

  • Várallyay, György. (1995). Soil and agrochemical aspects of sustainable development. Croatian Waters, 3, 277–282.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Public Health, Split, University of Split, Medical School, Vukovarska 46, Split, Croatia

    Nives Štambuk-Giljanović

Authors
  1. Nives Štambuk-Giljanović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nives Štambuk-Giljanović.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Štambuk-Giljanović, N. The Pollution Load by Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Cetina River. Water Air Soil Pollut 211, 49–60 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0279-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0279-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation