The effect of hydrological and anthropogenic factors on the chemical properties of water in the canal network of southeastern Srem

Abstract

Chemical properties of water (pH, electrical conductivity and carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, magnesium and sodium concentrations) of the water in the drainage canals of Galovica and Petrac, southeastern Srem, were tested in the period from 2008 to 2010. The objective was to determine the interaction between water quality and hydrological and anthropogenic drivers that characterize these two drainage areas, as well as to find out whether the water complies with quality requirements for irrigation. The results show that hydrological and anthropogenic factors do affect the quality of water in the drainage canals. It is poorer than that of the Sava River, which is the recipient of the drained waters. The concentrations of salts in the canal water, if used for crop irrigation, pose a low-to-moderate risk. Elevated bicarbonate concentrations restrict the application of drip or sprinkler irrigation systems. Irrigation of large surfaces in the drainage areas of Galovica and Petrac would require the Galovica and Petrac pumping stations to be reversible, so that, when needed, they can pump water from the Sava into the system of drainage canals.