Microbiological Analysis of Surface Waters in the Area of National Park “Una”

Abstract

Natural water quality becomes one of the limiting factors for use and maintenance of the environment balance. Uncontrolled pollution of surface and groundwater reduces the quantity of quality water resources. Indicators of surface water faecal pollution are pathogenic microorganisms that are actively developing in water, and reaches the rivers by anthropogenic impacts through sewage systems. The primary aim of this research is to determine the microbiological analysis of surface waters in the area of National Park “Una”. Water samples were collected from two places: locality I (Martin Brod) and locality II (Kulen Vakuf). The selected microbiological parameters analysed: the number of colonies of aerobic organotrophs, the total number of coliform bacteria and the total number of faecal streptococcus. These parameters were used to present realistic image of microbiological water quality and to determine pollution hotspots at National Park “Una”.