Physical, Chemical and Biological Indicators of the Jablanica River Water Quality (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

During 2016 and 2018, research was carried out on physical, chemical, as well as certain biological elements of water quality (phytobenthos, macrozoobenthos and ichthyofauna) of the Jablanica River. The Jablanica River is the right tributary of the Sava River, about 35 km long, with its entire catchment area in the Republic of Srpska. The aim of this paper was to determine, based on the selected water quality parameters and in accordance with the Water Framework directive (WFD), the current state of the quality and ecological status of the water. The values of most of the analyzed physical-chemical water quality parameters of the Jablanica River are classified as class I and II. The results obtained on the basis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the community of phytobenthos, macrozoobenthos and ichthyofauna, as well as the saprobic index. indicates that the water of the Jablanica River corresponds to beta-mesosaprobic waters. Such results show that the water of the Jablanica River is at a satisfactory level and that, given the importance this watercourse has in maintaining the diversity of the wider Sava River Basin, it should be preserved under constant monitoring.