Extensive study and monitoring of the ecological quality of water has started on the Salaca

An extensive study and monitoring of the ecological quality of water has started on the Salaca and its tributaries (the Korģe, Svētupe, Glāžupe and Jaunupe), and it will continue for the next five years. The data obtained will show the current situation and will also serve as a baseline for assessing the effectiveness of the measures introduced to improve water quality.

Hydrologists collected water samples for chemical analysis and measured the water level and discharge. This will help to understand the water quality and assess the measures needed to improve it.

To assess the health of aquatic ecosystems, hydrobiologists collected information on aquatic invertebrates, as they are sensitive to change and are excellent indicators of changes in the environment. They also found the invertebrate of the year, the water louse, as well as the bullhead.

The specialists also found many signal crayfish, which signals the spread of this invasive species. The signal crayfish is sensitive to pollution and environmental degradation. Unlike the noble crayfish, which is native to Latvian fauna, the signal crayfish lives not only in good but also in moderate-quality waters.

Source: LEGMC