ǂa ǂ case study of the Kupa (Kolpa) transboundary river catchment
Ana Selak (Author), Ivana Boljat (Author), Jasmina Lukač Reberski (Author), Josip Terzić (Author), Barbara Čenčur Curk (Author)

Abstract

This paper presents a qualitative approach for assessing land-use pressures on the water resources of a transboundary Dinaric karst catchment of the Kupa River in Southeast Europe. Spatial analyses of the water quality indices for surface water and groundwater were carried out in a GIS environment, as well as a detailed assessment of man-made hazards based on recommendations of COST Action 620. The produced maps provide an insight into the qualitative status of water resources at a regional scale by indicating areas of potential negative impacts of land use through the identification of point and diffuse sources of pollution. Higher values of the water quality indices for surface water and groundwater are observed in lowland areas, karst plateaus and poljes, where the impacts of anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and quarries take place on karstified permeable carbonate rocks. Hazard assessment showed how transport infrastructure induces a low hazard level. Settlement areas without proper sewerage systems impose moderate hazard levels, while direct wastewater discharges into groundwater and waste illegally disposed in karst swallow holes and caves located near settlements were classified as having high hazard levels. The applied methods proved to be suitable even in challenging karst environments where the complex properties and structure make the exploration and monitoring of groundwater resources difficult and scarce.

Keywords

water quality index;hazard assessment;COST Action 620;water resources;land use;Kupa (Kolpa) River catchment;karst hydrogeology;CAMARO-D project;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
UDC: 55
COBISS: 38136579 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2073-4441
Views: 133
Downloads: 72
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Other data

Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-21
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ12
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ11
Chronology: 2020
DOI: 10.3390/w12113226
ID: 14373080