Kane, S; Lazo, P; Qarri, F; Marku, E
The study was carried out in Narta and Orikumi Lagoon (Vlora Bay), to evaluate the environmental status and to extent the pollution level by different contamination sources in these areas. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, TSS, TDS, temperature, salinity etc), nutrients (N-NO3-, N-NO2-, N-NH4+ and P-PO43-) and heavy metal (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd) content in water samples collected in Narta and Orikumi Lagoon were used for the assessment of the environmental situation of the lagoons. Samples were collected in ten sampling sites, five in each lagoon. A water sample collected in Vlora Bay was used as a comparative sample. Total dissolved metal concentrations were analyzed by graphite furnace AAS (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu), flame system AAS (Zn) and CV-AAS (Hg) known as a very sensitive analytical methods. The trend of heavy metals content in water of the lagoons resulted as following: Zn>Cu>Cr>(Cd and/or Pb)>Hg. Nutrients (N-NO3-, N-NO2-, N-NH4+ and P-PO43-) content was determined by spectrophotometric methods. The data matrix of analytical parameters was statistically treated with Descriptive Statistics and multivariate analysis by using MINITAB 17 software package. Based on the Cluster Analysis, the sampling stations were classified into 3 main clusters. Based on the results of physicochemical parameters, nutrients and heavy metals content in studied areas, it is shown that Narta and Orikumi Lagoon are characterized by generally oligotrophic conditions and are suitable for fish growth.