Abiotic Typology of Surface Water Bodies in the Hydrographic Basin of the Arieş River

• Main Authors: GHEORGHE ŞERBAN, RĂZVAN-HORAŢIU BĂTINAŞ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cluj University Press 2010-01-01
• Series: Romanian Review of Regional Studies
• Subjects: Water Frame Directive; Abiotic typology; Water bodies; Streams; Lakes
• Online Access: http://rrrs.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/arhive/Artpdf/v6n22010/RRRS62201002.pdf

Monitoring according to the Water Frame Directive (2000/60/E.C.) guidelines demands the identification of river water bodies, typology, and investigation of reference conditions within each river basin. The identification of “water bodies” based on geographical and hydromorphological determinants is to enable the status to be accurately described and compared to environmental objectives of the Directive. A surface water body has to be a discrete element of surface water, which is not to overlap with each other or to be composed of elements of surface water that are not contiguous. Heavily modified water bodies may be identified and designated where good ecological status is not achieved because of impacts on the hydromorphological characteristics of surface water resulting from physical alterations. By applying the methodology described in the guidance document related to the WFD – Water Framework Directive, identification and designation of abiotic typology water bodies has led to a number of 32 types of water bodies related to streams and 18 types of water bodies related to natural lakes. Due to its position and its morphometric features, the Arieş Basin includes around 12 water body types (eight related to streams and four related to lakes). A detailed overview regarding the spatial distribution of these types is also exposed for inside analysis.