Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Climate change affects surface water quality parameters, including river quality. This study analyses changes in climate parameters, specifically air temperature and solar radiation, and their impact on river water temperature. It also examines how changes in river water temperature and organic matter load affect oxygen saturation levels, a key indicator of river water quality. Using water quality data, the status as well as temporal and spatial trends of the analysed parameters were assessed for the period between 2007 and 2024 on the three largest Slovenian rivers: the Drava, Mura, and Sava. Relative importance analysis of temperature and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) using the Random Forest machine learning method showed that water temperature in the analysed rivers has an impact ranging from 51% to 66% on predicting oxygen saturation. The selected approach to analysing watercourse quality parameters enables the assessment of the impact of these parameters on river water quality. Based on these results, it will be possible to implement appropriate measures promptly to achieve sustainable river management by establishing a strategy that, under climate change conditions, safeguards water quality and maintains ecosystem protection, ensuring long-term ecological and socio-economic benefits.
Source: Sustainability
DOI: 10.3390/su18031338
Authors: Mario Krzyk, Lana Radulović, Mojca Šraj
Institution: University of Ljubljana
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7126101422