SCOPES join research project Nr. 7ALPJ065583 ‘Heavy metal concentrations in water and benthic algae in some important rivers of Albania’ (back)

The aim of the project was to assess the water quality of the most important and most impacted rivers of Western Coastal Lowland of Albania, Mati and Fani, Ishmi, Lana and Tirana, Shkumbini, Semani, Osumi and Gjanica. The study is considered the first of this kind in Albania for its complexity, taking into consideration the physico-chemical and biodiversity values, trophic state and pollution level in the rivers during the period from May 2002 to March 2004. The study was intended firstly to assess heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni and Hg) in waters, sediments and algae. Beside them, additional parameters were measured, like conductivity, dissolved matter, pH, temperature, oxygen, suspended solids, nitrates, nitrites, ammonium and phosphates. Moreover, the microscopic algae (diatoms - Bacillariophyta) were examined, and the trophic state was calculated. It is a good example for cooperation among many research groups, especially to young researchers.

The study was financially supported by Swiss National Foundation for the Research (SNSF: http://www.snf.ch), within the common project SCOPES: Scientific Co-operation between Eastern Europe and Switzerland. It was fruitful cooperation of the sections of Analytical Chemistry, and Botany, Tirana University (www.fshn.edu.al), Department of Agronomy, Tirana Agricultural University (www.ubt.edu.al), and Institute of Plant Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Limnological Station, University of Zurich.

More information is given in:

*      Cullaj A., Hasko A., Miho A., Schanz F., Brandl H., Bachofen R. (2005): The quality of Albanian natural waters and the human impact (Review article). Environment International 31, 133-146 (www.sciencedirect.com)

*      Ēullaj A., Miho A., Baraj B., Hasko A. Bachofen R., Brandl H., Schanz F. (2003): Peliminary water quality report for some important Albanian Rivers. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology. Special Issue. pp. 5-11.

*      Kupe L. (2006): Vlerėsimi i gjendjes mjedisore tė disa habitateve ujore shqiptare mbėshtetur tek diatometė. Doktoratė. FA, UBT pp.134

*      Miho A., Cullaj A., Hasko A., Lazo P., Kupe L., Schanz F., Brandl H., Bachofen R., Baraj B. (2005): Gjendja mjedisore e disa lumenjve tė Ultėsirės Adriatike Shqiptare. SCOPES program (Swiss National Science Foundation - SNSF), Tirana (In Albanian with a summary in English). 235 f.

*      Miho A., Ēullaj A., Lazo V., Hasko A., Kupe L., Schanz F., Brandl H., Bachofen R. (2005): Assessment of water quality of some Albanian rivers using diatom-based monitoring.  Albanian Journal of Natural and Technical Sciences (AJNTS) (Academy of Sciences, Tirana, Albania) 0/0: (in press)

*      Miho A., Kupe L., (2005): Monitorim biologjik i disa lumenjve tė Ultėsirės Bregdetare Shqiptare gjatė vitit 2002. Studime Agronomike, Botim i Universitetit Bujėsor tė Tiranės. (Nė Shtyp)