WATER AND GEOSCIENCE

Environment and water resources in Târgovişte Plain ()

GICA PEHOIU, OVIDIU MURĂRESCU Department of Geography “Valahia” University of Târgovişte, Faculty of Humanities Str. Lt. Stancu Ion, nr. 34-36A, Târgovişte, ROMANIA e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected];

Abstract. Târgovişte Plain is part of the Plain Ialomita, this being the central sub Romanian Plain, situated at the contact of two major physical and geographical units (Sub-Carpathians and plateau). She benefited from natural and human resources they offer, and especially the presence of the rivers Ialomiţa and Dâmboviţa. Water resources in Târgovişte Plain consist of surface water (rivers and lakes) and groundwater, its territory was included in three main basins Dâmboviţa, Ialomiţa and Argeş rivers having an approximately parallel arrangement to the north and diverging in the southern area. Regarding water quality among major polluters factors include: petroleum products, those resulting from industrial processes, chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides), used in agriculture, household products and those derived from animal husbandry, heavy metals, to link growth production capacity and modernization of urban development and achievement sewerage treatment stations, improper operation of existing treatment stations, lack of organized system of collection, storage and management of waste and sludge from industrial waste water treatment, etc.

Key-words: water resources, rivers, lakes, groundwater, water quality, pollution, Târgovişte Plain.

1. Introduction step, with broad valleys running between Târgovişte Plain, is part of the Ialomiţa Damboviţa and Ialomiţa, which is suspended as a Plain, this being the central sub Romanian Plain, in general interfluves with altitude of 300-200 m, the shape of a triangle based on the top of Sub- representing most of the total (about 60%), and step Carpathians Danube (Fig. 1). The name was given lower with specific characteristics of transition to by the central river (Ialomiţa), which had an the subsidence of the southern plain, with altitudes important contribution to its formation. Over this 200-100 m, with an intense fragmentation, and that plain overlap main communication routes of the share is about 30% of the total. country, representing and unity with the dense population and also the most industrialized. Târgovişte Plain (Fig. 1 - 1) extends the so- 2 called Gulf of Targoviste, which penetrate deep into 1 the north-south general landscape River County. Is limited to the west of Piedmont Cândeşti and extends east to the Ialomiţa river valleys - Pâscov (Cricov Plain). To the north, between Dâmboviţa and Ialomiţa, contact the Sub-Carpathian foothills is done through common upper terraces of the two rivers. In the south, the plain comes smoothly to the subsidence of , limit altimetry decreasing from 180 m to the west, 110 m in the east. The relief is plain and piedmont of Târgovişte presented as a slightly inclined plane (about 7 ‰ in the north-south), from 300-350 m to 100-150 m absolute altitude. Overall, the following steps altimetry plain emerges: a higher level 3 developed in the north (350-300 m), representing Fig. 1. The geographical position of Târgovişte approximately 10% of its total area, an intermediate Plain (1), in the Ialomiţa Plain (2) and Romania (3)

ISSN: 1790-5095 90 ISBN: 978-960-474-160-1 WATER AND GEOSCIENCE

Rivers that cross the geographical unit, Length (km) Rivers and tributaries together with their tributaries, were and are vital Total In the plain sources for the man who contributed to the socio- Fiaşin 8 3,5 economic development and human settlements. Hoarului 10,5 8,5 Settlements, urban (such as city of Şuţa 36 26,5 Târgovişte and town Răcari) or rural (21 communes Ursoaia 10 10 Şuţa Seacă 36 26,5 with 94 villages), are mainly in the valleys of major One of the important parameters of this rivers or interfluves and Ialomita River, or the minor view, is the potential leakage of liquid surface beds their tributaries. environments resulting from the relationship Water resources of Târgovişte Plain consist between precipitation and evapotranspiration from of surface water (rivers and lakes) and groundwater, the soil surface. Given the close values of the two its territory was included in three main basins components (multi-annual average rainfall around (Damboviţa, Argeş and Ialomiţa), rivers with a 600 mm and potential evapotranspiration also layout almost parallel to the north and divergent in around the same values, the results indicate a the southern area. potential for leakage 1. Human activities are exerting pressure on One can appreciate that people remember water resources both quantitatively mainly two parameters, the values recorded at Târgovişte qualitative established itself create new legal Plain, an area roughly corresponding to moderate, instruments to help ensure their and future partly anthropic landscape. Higher values of these generations. indicators is found in Târgovişte area compared to rural areas because of the high density of buildings, 2. Characteristics of river network concrete spaces, and the small green. Relief and lithologic, precipitation regime, The Sub-Carpathian area and the plains, but the carpet plant is the main driving factors have values of 600-650 mm rainfall per year, of characteristics of the water surface of the ground, which drained about 162 mm/year and average and the potential leakage of liquid medium surface. evapotranspiration is 450-500 mm/year, which leads to the annual volume of water drained the 2.1. Rivers Dâmboviţa River, upstream from the confluence Main hydrographic network is represented with its tributary Aninoasa, to reach 325 million m3 in Dâmboviţa and Ialomita rivers, tributaries and the (near Târgovişte), the minimum monthly average secondary of Ialomiţa, Damboviţa and those of flow rates of 95%, namely 1.89 m3/an. (Table 1). Ialomiţa River, out of Sub-Carpathians, in Târgovişte, upstream of the confluence with the Tabelul 1. The main rivers and their tributaries in brook Slănic, since water has a volume of 236 Târgovişte Plain million m3 annually, with minimum monthly flow Length (km) 3 Rivers and tributaries rates of 95% - 0.92 m /sec. Total In the plain In Târgovişte Plain river recalled has the Dâmboviţa 237 50 largest volumes of water within the months from Valea Satului 14 14 April to June (41.5%), then by November liquid Ilfov 12 12 leakage volume decreases steadily, registering a Mierea-Rădăcini 17 16 80 2 slight increase in December, followed by a declining Baranga 20 14 path until around April. 30 1 Ialomiţa 400 42 2.2. Groundwater Izvoarele 8 8 In the area studied, the existence of Racoviţa 11 11 groundwater is determined by the specific relief, Brazilor 20 6 namely the piedmont plain, resulting in terracing Slănicul de Sud 16 4 dejection cones and the two main river arteries, Slănicul de Jos 22 9 Ialomiţa and Dâmboviţa, with wide plains and Sabar 144 - terraces. In this context, ground waters are well Cobia 24 21 8,5 7,5 represented and arranged in several horizons, Cuparu 14 13 depending on the altimetry position of the relief. Siliştea 9,5 9,5 On deep waters, given the complex Mătăsaru 20 9 geological structure, they have an uneven spatial

ISSN: 1790-5095 91 ISBN: 978-960-474-160-1 WATER AND GEOSCIENCE

Surface distribution, the underground drinking water Accumulation Commune/village River resources and the mineral. (ha) After the spatial distribution of porous and Ilfoveni 104 Nucet/Ilfoveni Ilfov Priseaca 5,5 Târgovişte/Priseaca Mioara permeable deposits, hydro-geological parameters Moarta 6,6 Cornăţelu/Cornăţelu Colentina and their relationship to the deposits after Aluniş 9 Cornăţelu/Aluniş Baranga waterproof and surface waters, it is creating more hydrostructures. Among them on include: Accumulation Văcăreşti is located on the - shallow hydrostructures (higher Holocene middle of the river Dâmboviţa, with the main role of hydrostructure), corresponding approximately to the defense against flooding that would occur in lower terrace of the main river network and , its water supply and downstream secondary structure that has a reduction potential consumers, and producing power by the two hydro- due to the deepening of the riverbed by 1-3 m due to units with PI of 4.8 MW. It also is used in fish the exploitation of construction materials. These farming, under natural non-fodder, tourism and hydrostructures are used as a source of water supply recreation. to the city of Târgovişte, by capture Dragomireşti, the north and south, and Gheboieni - Măneşti; - upper Pleistocene hydrostructure terrace 104 in the middle is a very important role in the plain, at the discretion of localities Lazuri - Văcăreşti 96,9 Ac. Ilfoveni Ac. Adunaţi because they present a rate of about 750 l/s, 97 currently being operated at a rate of 330 l/s for water Ac. Brăteşti Ac. Bunget 2 91 supply southern area of Târgovişte; Ac. Bunget 1 Ac. V c re ti - deep hydrostructures (lower Pleistocene 93 ă ă ş hydrostructure) in the Piedmont Plateau Târgovişte - Cândeşti and substrate are estimated at a rate of 234 about 1.5 m3/s, which operates daily from 200 l/s. Also, the Romanian hydrostructure of the quaternary hydrostructures development of surface 0 50 100 150 200 250 area in the eastern part of Ialomiţa river, is a potential aquifer rising ahead, there are some Fig. 2. Surfaces of principal accumulations in mineral reserves (the deposit) and water plus Târgovişte Plain sulphurous. mil mc 2.3. Lakes 4,7 Plain piedmont territory of Târgovişte is a Ac. Ilfoveni relatively small number of lakes, some of which are 4,8 Ac. Adunaţi formed naturally and others having anthropogenic 3,6 Ac. Brăteşti origin. The human can distinguish, in turn, into two 3,7 Ac. Bunget 2 2,73 Ac. Bunget 1 categories: lacquers interest hydropower and Ac. Udreşti 0,93 fisheries interests (lakes and ponds). Ac. Văcăreşti In this respect, may be referred, on the River 21,85 Dâmboviţa, accumulation Văcăresti, on Ilfov 6 accumulation - a non-permanent nature, the role of 0 5 10 15 20 25 mitigation of flood waves (Udreşti), and five with Fig. 3. Volumes of water of the main complex functions (Bunget I and II, Brăteşti, accumulation of Târgovişte Plain Adunaţi and Ilfoveni - (Table 2 and Fig. 2-3). Accumulation of the river Ilfov have used Tabelul 2. Lakes from Târgovişte Plain complex, but prevailing position to mitigate floods, Surface Accumulation Commune/village River the water supply of settlements and population, to (ha) produce electricity. Function is well represented and Văcăreşti 234 Văcăreşti/Văcăreşti Dâmboviţa Udreşti 61 Văcăreşti/Udreşti Ilfov fishery, because large areas of accumulation, but Bunget I 93 Văcăreşti/Bungetu Ilfov also the presence of the Research Center - Bunget II 91 Văcăreşti/Bungetu Ilfov Development Nucet Fishery, which is the source of Brăteşti 97 Văcăreşti/Bungetu Ilfov supply to their brood. Adunaţi 96 Nucet/Ilfoveni Ilfov

ISSN: 1790-5095 92 ISBN: 978-960-474-160-1 WATER AND GEOSCIENCE

Lakes fisheries interests are represented by 3.1. The quality of surface water lakes and ponds (Comişani, Lazuri), after the first In Târgovişte Plain on meet problems of and other purposes, such as: water supply, irrigation, pollution, both point source and from the diffuse, flood mitigation, leisure and recreation. such as: Research Center - Development Nucet, - pollution with organic and decomposition founded in 1941, aims primarily research profile and due to discharge of insufficiently treated wastewater is unique in Romania and among the few of its kind from municipal sewage plants on the river Ialomiţa in Europe. (their main sources are: SC Mechel SA, which Experimental basis of the institution discharge waste water into the river, the millpond, includes about 80 wells, with areas between 0.5 and SC ROMLUX SA can pollute surface waters with 5 meters, totaling 163.48 hectares, which is carrying solutions containing cyanide and fluoride), a out experiments for complex technology intensive maximum downstream impact of the two sewage aquaculture, technology demonstration, research plants in Târgovişte, registering overruns CMA to into genetics and improvement of fish species, ammonium (0.4 mg/l for class quality), average genitors maintaining batches of different species and values being 0.93 mg/l in the same period; culture of rare nuclei among the ichthyofauna from - watercourses in the area of activity of Romania. scaffolding salted affected oil and petroleum In the Center several pilot plant units, product, generating by agencies as SC Petrom SA, including a growth in the system and super- Group deposits - Gura Ocniţei - Răzvad as intensive culture of carp, two artificial breeding and point sources to streams Cricov, Pâscov, Cezeanu pre-development of the main fish species cultured, and Slănic. one for reproduction and pre-development and Means observed in the indicator chlorides laboratory sturgeon intended for breeding rare are shown in Fig 4. species, threatened in different states of vulnerability. 450 Also, research center that provides technical 400 assistance in the areas of fish farming, fish breeding and artificial directed, rational exploitation profile 350 lakes, and ecological rehabilitation of aquatic 300 ecosystems. 250

200

3. Water quality 150 Regarding this parameter, with direct 100 reference to pollution problems manifested in their area examined in the case of watercourses, they 50 appear to what they cross the perimeter scaffolding 0 Cezeanu Cricov Ilfov Pâscov Sl nic oil (because of contamination with salts and ă petroleum products) and those characterized Fig. 4. Mean values of chloride indicator in 2009 generally, the low flow rates, and are, in these (compared to CMA/quality II, 50 mg/l) conditions, receptors insufficiently treated wastewater, of the kind generated by urban waste. Record high values, exceeding the allowable The waters are rated according to quality limits of class II water quality (as OM no. limits set by STAS 4706/88, for the three categories: 161/2006), both the chloride indicator, and the one I (water), II (fisheries, irrigation, industrial and posed by petroleum products due to the impact of recreational) and III (irrigation and industrial). technological water leak and the deposit of these However, water quality is assessed and areas. depending on a number of indicators including the A special case presents Slănic brook whose organoleptic, physical, chemical, biological, etc. source and upper course lies in the crease area salt The levels are based on biological and trophycity, Gura Ocniţei - Aninoasa, Răzvad, salted by its saprobity. On this basis, the waters are divided into natural salt deposits as they cross, and its pollution classes of quality: oligosaprobic (low polluted from oil extraction activities. waters), mezosaprobic (with moderate organic Regarding the same salted phenomenon, matter content) and polysaprobic (heavily Bucşani is representative of overcoming common contaminated). accepted rules on this indicator (the average

ISSN: 1790-5095 93 ISBN: 978-960-474-160-1 WATER AND GEOSCIENCE

chloride concentration in wells affected) due to age standing by upgrading parks and replacing corroded phenomena of infiltration of salt water into aquifers, pipeline routes carrying salt water (fig. 6-7). with severe consequences for drinking water supply own sources of locality (fig. 5).

700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 CMA Sem. I/2009 Sem. I/2008 Fig. 6. The dynamic phenomenon of salinisation in Fig. 5. Media concentration of chlorides in the years rivers Cricov, Pâscov and Slănic during 2000-2008 2008/2009 (for each Ist semester) in Bucşani area (under OM no. 161/2006) groundwater

3.2. Water quality of lakes An associated issue of the above is the water quality of lakes. Physical-chemical analysis carried out over time and, in particular, those of 2008, points out that, in terms of nutrient content of lakes in the piedmont plain, is maintained within the specific category I of quality. A special case is the Priseaca lake, situated in the residential neighborhood namesake of Târgovişte, which is a result of riverbed degradation Fig. 7. Dynamics of pollution by oil in rivers Cricov Mierea brook, which joins it to the brook Pâscov and Slănic during 2000-2008 (under OM downstream of Ilfov. The latter is passed through no. 161/2006) salt water pipeline from oil parks belonging to SC Petrom SA Măneşti section that links to the central 4. Conclusions warehouse in Teiş village. Water resources of Târgovişte Plain consist Failure of this pipeline leak caused specific of surface water (rivers and lakes) and groundwater. products in the bed of the two rivers, which resulted Watercourses are the three main basins - in their major accidental pollution. Due to measures Dâmboviţa, Argeş and Ialomiţa. taken to reduce pollution, could see substantial On water quality, some of the rivers which improvements in appearance. cross the plain presents problems due to pollution and decomposition of organic matter due to 3.3. Hot spots of pollution of surface and discharge of insufficiently treated wastewater from groundwater urban stations which are intended for such activities. As a result of oil exploitation activities River water is affected by the work carried out by SC Petrom SA, on Târgovişte Plain’s scaffolding oil production units that Moreni - level, groundwater has been degraded in some Cricov, Pâscov, Cezeanu - and Târgovişte. localities while. Among the causes are age In terms of pollutant concentrations above appropriate plants to salt water infiltration processes the limit allowed, brooks and Ilfov, Slănic are in layers, groundwater quality normalization is reference points. Their record high water levels accomplished very difficult, even in conditions above the allowable limits of class II, chlorides and where pollution sources are liquidated. oil indicators. With regard to surface water, there is a trend In this context, the main measure of in general, the concentrations of pollutants in rivers protection of surface water quality is an advanced in areas affected by oil exploitation, the effect of wastewater treatment, new technology and efficient reducing pollution sources and the accidental business process specifically mentioned, as they require the following actions:

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