Water quality and biotic community composition of a highland stream influenced by different human activities

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of different human activities on water quality and benthos composition in the Ošetnice Stream that is located in the Western Carpathian Mountains. During the whole period of our monitoring, the high concentrations of dissolved oxygen and low content of organic matters were determined. Upstream part of the Ošetnice Stream is affected by long term building activities concerning railway tunnels and by the motorway along the stream that is in winter chemically treated to assure negotiability. Ski area situated close to the stream was used 110 days during the monitored period. Average daily visit was 590 persons. In winter, when road salting was used, concentrations of chlorides, sodium and calcium were noticeably increased in the stream tributaries which had an impact on monitored water parameters. Water quality assessment using macrozoobenthos and phytobenthos indices revealed the environmental state in a range from moderate to good. Decrease of salmonid community in the stream corresponds to start of road use in the year 2002. Salt applied in winter period to ensure road negotiability affected significantly water chemistry of the monitored stream. Deterioration of environmental conditions is mainly due to human activities; nevertheless self-cleaning ability of the stream is high and ensure a fast degradation of pollutants. Thus the biotic communities (except fish) of the Ošetnice Stream have to adapt to changes of the environment within the year.

Keywords

• phytobenthos
• macrozoobenthos
• hydrochemistry
• pollution