Influence of Anthropogenic Load in River Basins on River Water Status: A Case Study in Lithuania

Abstract

Twenty-four rivers in different parts of Lithuania were selected for the study. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic load on the ecological status of rivers. Anthropogenic loads were assessed according to the pollution sources in individual river catchment basins. The total nitrogen (TN) values did not correspond to the “good” and “very good” ecological status classes in 51% of the tested water bodies; 19% had a “bad” to “moderate” BOD7, 50% had “bad” to “moderate” NH4-N, 37% had “bad” to “moderate” NO3-N, and 4% had “bad” to “moderate” PO4-P. The total phosphorus (TP) values did not correspond to the “good” and “very good” ecological status classes in 4% of the tested water bodies. The largest amounts of pollution in river basins were generated from the following sources: transit pollution, with 87,599 t/year of total nitrogen and 5020 t/year of total phosphorus; agricultural pollution, with 56,031 t/year of total nitrogen and 2474 t/year of total phosphorus. The highest total nitrogen load in river basins per year, on average, was from transit pollution, accounting for 53.89%, and agricultural pollution, accounting for 34.47%. The highest total phosphorus load was also from transit pollution, totaling 58.78%, and agricultural pollution, totaling 28.97%. Multiple regression analysis showed the agricultural activity had the biggest negative influence on the ecological status of rivers according to all studied indicators.