CARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWER DANUBE WATER BODIES BETWEEN PORTILE DE FIER
(IRON GATES) AND ISACCEA

Elena ŢUCHIU
National Administration “Apele Române”, 6 Edgar Quinet street, Sector 1, Bucharest, elena.tuchiu@rowater.ro

Abstract

The main goal of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC Directive) is the achievement of the “good status” of the water bodies, environmental objective which can be reached through elaboration and implementation of the River Basin Management Plan. According to the legal requirements, at the 22nd of December 2009, Romania has elaborated the first National Management Plan – synthesis of the River Basin Management Plans. This process assumes the types identification and water bodies delineation on the basis of some abiotic and biotic parameters, such: water category, abiotic and biotic typology, physical features, water status, pressures and their impacts, as well as protected areas. Therefore, for the lower Danube sector between Bazias and Isaccea 4 water bodies have been delineated: 2 reservoirs (Portile de Fier/Iron Gates and Ostrov) and 2 river sectors (Ostrov – Chiciu, Chiciu – Isaccea). The procedure for assessment of the environmental objectives risk failing (on the basis of pressures and impacts) has shown that all 4 water bodies have been identified at risk from the point of view of organic substances, nutrients, hazardous substances and hydro-morphological alterations. The Water Framework Directive defines the surface water status through: the ecological status - 5 classes (based on biological, hydro-morphological and physic-chemical elements) and chemical status – 2 classes (based on priority substances). In present, the 4 water bodies identified on the lower Danube sector do not reach the good status, being designated as heavily modified water bodies.

Keywords: typology, water bodies, pressures, impact, risk assessment, heavily modified water bodies, ecological status/potential, chemical status.