Bottom Fauna Qualitative Study of the Danube River in Belgrade Region

Abstract

Limnological study of the Danube River in the Belgrade region was performed at five sites along 66 km of the river flow. Research was carried out during the high (May/June) and low (September/October) water level periods from 2007 to 2009. The qualitative and saprobiological analyses of meio- and macrozoobenthic communities with special emphasis on chironomid larvae, as well as investigations of basic physical and chemical water quality parameters were used for the water quality assessment, thus classifying the Danube water (in the Belgrade region) in the limits of II-III and III class based on modified National water assessment standards. Many species of chironomids manifested a distinct response to the presence of different pollutants in the water and bottom sediments, thus serving as indicators of the degree of the water body pollution. According to CCA, the environmental factors related to the assemblage composition were COD, BOD5, percentage of oxygen saturation, TOC, total phosphates and nitrates.