THE EFFECT OF RURAL SETTLEMENTS ON WATER QUALITY IN NORTHERN SUCEAVA PLATEAU

Abstract

The chemical analysis carried out in the summer of 2010 in the administrative area, built area-focused, of seven localities in northern Suceava Plateau indicate the existence of phosphates and nitrates pollution in the majority of sampling points, while nitrites are reduced in value and space and ammonium and sulphides are almost absent. The localities were chosen so that the geology, altitude, climate and hydrology of the areas should be as similar as possible, as neutral factors, in order to identify the causes of pollution. The sampling points were georeferenced and accurately marked on maps, where there are also the concrete values of measurements in order to be verified in the future monitoring of water quality. Phosphorus pollution is the highest and prevalent and it is caused by the lack of sewers and wastewater treatment. Some cities have an average water quality more deteriorated than others because of high population density and of the animal breeding in specialized farms. After identifying the main sources of concentrated pollution, a scenario of future evolution of the surface water and ground water quality is given, based on actual control factors. As the control factors and the neutral ones are similar for the entire northern Moldavian Plateau, the studied settlements can be considered representative of the mentioned area.