engleski

Restoration potential of eutrophic waters adjacent to large cities: lessons from the coastal zone of Croatia

The marine environment in the coastal zone of Croatia shows relatively good ecological conditions in general. The only exceptions are the most northern part of the Adriatic which is strongly influenced by the River Po, and some semi-enclosed bays surrounded by industrialised areas, receiving untreated municipal wastewater from nearby cities, as well as fresh- or groundwater through rivers or submarine discharges. Most dramatic change of ecological status during the second part of the last century was probably established in the semi-enclosed Bay of Kaštela where severe eutrophication occurred due to intensive industrialisation and population growth. After frequent anoxia events and occurrence of red tides, the Croatian Government in collaboration with the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development decided to invest approximately 150 million Euros in water supply and sewage treatment systems which were finished in 2004. Restoration of the marine environment started immediately at the bacterial level while for zooplankton is still in progress.

Eutrophication; Wastewater; Restoration; Adriatic

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