Comparative assessment of water quality for irrigation in the karst area of the river basin of Slatinska Reka

This study used available hydrochemistry data to determine the suitability of water bodies
in the lower karst area in the river basin of Slatinska Reka for irrigation. Surface rivers Krušeska Reka,
Markoska Reka (two points), and Slatinska Reka, as well as the springs Slatinski Izvor and Solenica, were
observed between December 2011 and November 2013, and water samples were taken from each point.
Irrigation quality parameters, such as Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Percentage (Na%), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Kelly Ratio (KR), and Total Hardness (TH), were analyzed for suitability
for irrigation. All analyzed parameters pointed out that surface rivers and the karst spring Slatinski Izvor
were suitable for irrigation, whereas most of the water samples taken from the Solenica spring were not
suitable for irrigation purposes. Also, the Solenica spring downstream of Markoska Reka influenced the
irrigation properties of the river water, especially during the low waters. The process of karstification had
a significant impact on the chemical composition of the water in the basin.
Key words: irrigation water quality; river basin of Slatinska Reka;l karst area