Physico chemical characteristics and heavy metal contents of water from Butrinti lagoon, Albania

A study was conducted between May 2010 and January 2011 in the Butrinti Lagoon, an important ecological and economical area in the south of Albania. The study aimed to determine (i) the water quality in the lagoon of Butrint using physico-chemical parameters and level of heavy metals, (2) its status to support living life in the aquatic ecosystem. Data on temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen were obtained in-situ usingmultiparameter portable instrument. Surface and bottom water of the lagoon were analyzed for heavy metals: Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, Hg. The results showed that water temperature varies depending on the seasons. The highest temperatures were in August from 26 to 27.3 0C depending on the sampling station. pH in the water of the lagoon is basic, its values ranged from 8.12 to 8.49, and were optimal for the production of mussels. The values of salinity in the lagoon of Butrint are smaller than those of the Ionian sea influenced by rivers Bistrica, Pavlo and groundwater resources. Lower values of DO in the depth of the lagoon were recorded in August at stations SS2 (1.4 mg L-1) and SS5 (1.9 mg L-1), and therefore a damage was noticed in the growth of mussels in the lagoon. The heavy metals Cr, Pb, in some stations are found in higher levels than the values allowed by the EU and pose a potential health risk to humans and the aquatic life of the lagoon’s ecosystem.