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

Abstract

The natural depollution mechanisms often reach a low impact level in the case of lakes situated close to major urban settings. We are presenting the assessment of the eutrophication potentialities of Lake Brates, situated in Galati County (Romania). The results may be considered a case study, as the Lake Brates receives an estimated 800 visitors/month for recreational, aquacultural, domestic and industrial purposes. Experimental measurements   in order to determine the contamination of Lake Brates, which incurs an enormous social and economic potential. Low oxygenation, high alkalinity, water hardness, organic content, and increasing values of the nitrate and phosphate ions place this endorheic lake in a eutrophic-hypertrophic limnic ecosystem. The presence of Metopus ovatus, Caenomorpha medusula, and Vorticella campanula reveal a high pollution status, while the high abundance of the resistant forms of Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Gairdia spp., Cyclospora cayatenensis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Diphyllobutum latum, Tenia spp., Strongyloides stercoralis re-affirms the sanitary risks associated with the applicability of this limnic ecosystem. The results may help selecting the most efficient sustainable water treatment methods and environmental protection remedial strategies to be used to re-enforce the hydro-ecological capacities of this highly rated temperate water body.