Human Impacts

The activities of over 81 million people in 18 countries within the catchment area affect also the natural environment of the Danube River Basin, leading also to problems with water quality and quantity, and significant reductions in biodiversity. The main pollution problem is the excessive volumes of nutrients entering the river, mainly from agricultural fertilisers, and not adequately threatened municipal sewage.

The activities of over 81 million people in 18 countries have an impact on the natural environment of the Danube River Basin, and are also leading to serious problems with water quality and quantity, and significant reductions in biodiversity in certain part sof the river baisn.

Too much inadequately treated waste water still ends up in the Danube, puting at risk the drinking water supply for millions of people, and also leading to problems for irrigation, industry, fishing, and tourism.

The main pollution problem is the excessive volumes of nutrients entering the river, mainly from agricultural fertilisers, and unthreatened or not adequately threatened municipal sewage, including facies and household products.

Toxic substances are also a major threat, made worse by occasional industrial accidents or floods when deadly toxins may be flushed directly into watercourses.

It is assumed that the effects of the floods that raged through Central Europe and the Danube basin in August 2002 were worsened due to deforestation, the destruction of natural floodplains and human-induced global warming.

Preserving the natural habitats of the many species living in the basin is a constant struggle. The habitats of pelicans in the Danube Delta and sturgeon in the Lower Danube, are particularly under threat.

Major problems affecting aquatic ecosystems in the Danube River Basin 

• Excessive nutrient loads (particularly nitrogen and phosphorous)
• Overexploitation of surface water and groundwater resources
• Changes in river flow patterns (hydromorphological alterations) and its effect on sediment transportation
• Contamination with hazardous substances (including heavy metals, oil, oxygen depleting substances and microbiological toxins)
• Accidental pollution
• Degradation and loss of wetlands

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