Una River Research Articles

Application of GIS in quantitative geomorphological analysis of the Una River basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

V prispevku smo s pomočjo geografskih informacijskih sistemov (GIS-ov), kartografskih in matematično-statističnih metod analizirali morfometrične značilnosti porečja Une. Kvantitativna geomorfološka analiza je vključevala hipsometrične značilnosti, naklone, vertikalno razčlenjenost reliefa in ekspozicije reliefa v porečju Une. Analizirani parametri so indikatorji reliefnih oblik in sodobnih procesov preoblikovanja reliefa. Pridobljeni podatki imajo numerično in praktično vrednost, na primer za potrebe kmetijstva, upravljanja voda, gradbeništva, urbanizma, turizma, prostorskega načrtovanja itd.

Evaluation of soil water storage in native forest and eucalyptus areas

In the region of the Paraíba do Sul river valley in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, pasture areas have been replaced by eucalyptus plantations, which can modify the dynamics of water in the soils of the region. The objective of this work was to evaluate the behavior of water in a Red-Yellow Latosol in two vegetative coverings, a six-year-old eucalyptus plantation, and a native forest, in the process of regeneration which began twenty years ago. The study was developed in the Una River basin from June 2009 to April 2011. The soil water potential was measured by 96 sensors (Watermark ™) at the depths of 20, 60 and 120 cm. The Available Water Capacity (AWC) and weekly residual soil storage for each layer were calculated. It was observed that the three layers reacted to the processes of rainfall and evapotranspiration and that there was a difference between the storage of water in the soil in the eucalyptus and native forest areas. There was no water restriction in the studied period; however, the variations in native forest storage were smoother than the variations occurring for eucalyptus. In the mean of the whole period and for the three layers, the storage in the native forest and eucalyptus were 88% and 64% of Available Water Capacity (AWC = 183 mm), respectively. These results show the native forest water conservation capacity in watersheds.

Adapted optimization model for planning regional wastewater systems: case study.

Wastewater systems are of crucial importance to the promotion of sustainable development. Through an integrated planning approach, the costs can be minimized and the resulting benefits maximized. A planning approach at regional level exploits the economies of scale, while achieving a better environmental performance. In this paper we set out a decision support approach for the planning of regional wastewater systems. Optimization models are used, aimed at finding optimal configurations for the location, type and size of the system's infrastructure: sewers, pump stations, and wastewater treatment plants. Solutions are evaluated in terms of the cost of installing, operating and maintaining the infrastructure, and the water quality in the river that receives the treated wastewater. The river water quality varies in accordance with the effluent discharges, and is assessed using environmental parameters. The models are solved with a simulated annealing algorithm complemented by a local improvement procedure. Its application is illustrated through a case study in the Una river basin region, in Brazil.

Geoenvironmental diagnostic of microwatershed Una river, South of Bahia: morphometry, vegetation and land use

Geoenvironmental diagnostic of microwatershed Una river, South of Bahia: morphometry, vegetation and land use

Efeito das transformações antrópicas às margens do rio Una, Taubaté, São Paulo, Brasil

This study sought to support the mapping of occupied areas on the margin of rivers through the use of geoprocessing imaging technologies combined with the application of indices that measure the effects of the anthropic transformations in the environment, in order to verify the environmental degradation. The Anthropic Transformation Index is demonstrably efficient for space-time analyses on river basins and at environmental protection areas. In order to develop a data base to support public policies related to the preservation of the Una River Basin, this article presents the effects of the anthropic actions in the years 1962 to 2014, in the registry district of Taubaté, in the Vale do Paraíba Metropolitan Region. In order to collect data using photos and aerial images of the territory, geo-referencing and vectorization were performed by the QGIS program, which enabled quantification of the occupation and land use. Five occupational categories types had been identified in the area: watercourses, riparian forest, field or pasture, denser forest and urbanization. Afterwards, the ITA was applied and the index 5.5 was obtained, which indicates a degraded area, based on the percentage of land use and occupation. It was concluded that the greatest change occurred in a 52-year time span, in the landscape of registry district, where a marked anthropic pressure was observed.it is the significant anthropic pressure, close to the watercourses, towards the Una River Basin, in the city of Taubaté, in the state of São Paulo.

Atividade da malato desidrogenase muscular de Astyanax bimaculatus da bacia hidrográfica do rio Una como biomarcadora de impacto ambiental

The enzymatic activity of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and its isoforms may vary in fishes according their living environment. The aim of this work was to investigate the activity of MDH in the muscle tissue of Astyanax bimaculatus (locally called as lambari do rabo amarelo), collected at three different points (P1, P2 and P3) in the Una River Basin (Taubaté, SP), to evaluate it as a candidate biomarker for environmental change. Cytosolic and mitochondrial isoforms of MDH were extracted from muscles. The results indicated that the total enzyme activity was 1.8 and 2.5 times higher in A. bimaculaus at P2, in comparison to specimens collected at P1 and P3, respectively. Seven MDH isoforms were detected in the muscle tissue (MDH-1 to MDH-7). MDH-1 levels of specimens collected at P3 were 1.9 and 2.4 times higher than those from P1 and P2, respectively. However, the levels of MDH-5, -6 and -7 of P3 specimens were significantly lower than P1 ones. These results are possibly related to water quality, considering that P3 is the most polluted among the three sampling sites. The muscle MDH activity of A. bimaculatus was modulated by the environment. Therefore, it can be concluded that this enzyme could be used as a biomarker of environmental change of the hydrographic basin of a neotropical region, where this species occurs.

Caracterização Topográfica do Habitat do Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille, 1828 (Decapoda, Gecarcinidae) na Apa Costa dos Corais (Pernambuco e Alagoas, Brasil)

In the period from July to September 2012, a survey was made of the number of burrows of blue land crab ( Cardisoma guanhumi ), both in twelve profiles distributed in areas of mangrove, positioned perpendicularly to the wetlands of the Una's River (Pernambuco) and Camaragibe's River (Alagoas), aiming to acquire information on the distribution of holes in different types of topographies. The depth of burrows and the salinity and temperature of the water at the bottom of the burrows was registered. In Pernambuco and Alagoas, the profiles covered steep areas (with a gradient of 4.5°) and shallow areas (with a gradient of 0.02°). The maximum distance between existing burrows in the profiles, ranged from 58m and 359.5m, compared to a benchmark level (RN). The burrows depths ranged from 0.45m to 1.90m, with an depth average of 0.99m (DP = 0,29). The maximum depth of the burrows can be justified by the fact that there is less availability of water in northeastern soils.It is recommended, studied the mangroves, the establishment of an exclusion zone to preserve the habitat of Cardisoma guanhumi , a distance of at least 200m above the high tide mark. Keywords: blue land crab; mangrove; burrows.

Distribution, ecology and conservation status of two endemic amphipods,Echinogammarus acarinatusandFontogammarus dalmatinus, from the Dinaric karst rivers, Balkan Peninsula

The Balkan Peninsula is recognized to be one of the most important biodiversity hotspots worldwide. However, biogeographic patterns of its freshwater fauna are poorly understood due to the lack of basic data on distribution and ecology, particularly for endemic taxa. We studied the distribution, habitats and conservation status of two endemics, Echinogammarus acarinatus and Fontogammarus dalmatinus , in the Dinaric karst rivers. Altogether, 711 sites were sampled from 2000 to 2014 and supplemented by literature data. Although previously known only from rivers of the Adriatic Sea (AS) basin, both species were also found in the Black Sea (BS) basin. E. acarinatus has a mosaic distribution extending from the Una River to the delta of the Neretva River, particularly in the rivers Vrbas and Bosna (BS). Its presence in the AS basin rivers, Krka and Neretva, could result from river capture events by which former tributaries of the Una and Bosna (BS) were directed to the AS basin. Two subspecies of F. dalmatinus are distributed in the Una, Zrmanja and Krka Rivers. F. dalmatinus dalmatinus occurs in upper and middle parts of the Zrmanja (AS), and in the upper part of the Una (BS), while F. dalmatinus krkensis was found exclusively in springs and upper parts of the Krka (AS). Distribution of both subspecies in the Zrmanja and Krka indicates former connection between these rivers. The ecology and conservation status of all the studied taxa are presented and discussed. This study illustrates the importance of including ecological and historical interpretations of species’ distributions for managing conservational issues in the case of freshwater endemics with narrow ranges.

Atividades de lactato desidrogenase e malato desidrogenase de Astyanax bimaculatus (lambari) da bacia hidrográfica do rio Una como biomarcadoras de impacto ambiental

Os peixes vivem todo o ciclo de vida na agua e recebem a influencia dos seus componentes fisico-quimicos e biologicos ao longo do tempo. As atividades de lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e malato desidrogenase (MDH) de organismos aquaticos podem ser alteradas devido a presenca de poluentes na agua. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se as atividades de LDH e MDH nas brânquias e no figado de Astyanax bimaculatus (lambari do rabo amarelo) podem ser utilizadas como biomarcadoras do impacto ambiental na bacia hidrografica do rio Una (SP). Para isso, esses lambaris foram coletados em tres corpos d'agua dessa bacia, denominados p1 (rio Itaim), p2 (corrego a beira da Estrada Municipal de Remedios) e p3 (lago na Estrada Municipal Dr. Jose Luiz Cembranelli). As brânquias e o figado foram homogeneizados e, a seguir, esse material foi centrifugado e o sobrenadante foi utilizado para determinacao das atividades de LDH e MDH, atraves do metodo espectrofotometrico que determina a taxa de oxidacao de NADH. As atividades de LDH e MDH no figado e de MDH branquial nao foram estatisticamente diferentes nos lambaris coletados nos tres locais. No tecido branquial a atividade de LDH foi inferior nos peixes de p3 em relacao aos de p1. Essa inibicao da atividade de LDH, bem como a qualidade inferior da agua nesse ponto, sugerem a ocorrencia de poluentes nessa agua. Conclui-se que LDH branquial de lambari possui potencial para utilizacao como marcador bioquimico de impacto ambiental no rio Una.

Phylogeny of European Bullhead (Cottus sp.) in Western Balkans

Event Abstract Back to Event Phylogeny of European Bullhead (Cottus sp.) in Western Balkans Jernej Bravničar1*, Anja Palandačić2, Saša Marić3, Radek Šanda4 and Aleš Snoj1 1 University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Department of Animal Science, Slovenia 2 Natural history museum Vienna, Zoological Department, Austria 3 Univeristy of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, Serbia 4 National Museum Prague, Czechia European bullhead sensus lato is a species complex, in which lineage determination based on morphology has proven to be extremely difficult, probably due to low interspecific and high intraspeciefic morphological variation. Therefore, major evolutionary lineages across Europe have been determined based on molecular data, which also to some extent corresponds to known morphological variation. Cottus populations on the Balkan Peninsula have not yet been thoroughly studied. Thus we used molecular genetic approach (mtDNA-CR and nu-LSU) to evaluate evolutionary distinctive units of Cottus in the Western Balkans and compare them to other European lineages. We found presence of five distinct lineages. Populations corresponding to Cottus gobio clade inhabit tributaries of Danube River in southern Serbia, rivers of Adriatic drainage and Drava River. Interestingly, we found three additional Cottus linages in Sava River and its tributaries, differing considerably from “main” C. gobio. First, we confirmed morphologically determined Cottus meate from Upper Sava, with species range from the source of Sava River, including tributaries, to the inflow of Kolpa River. Second, we found a new lineage inhabiting the Kolpa and Una river systems. Third, lineage was found inhabiting Bosna and Vrbas rivers. High density of evolutionary distinctive lineages in such a small area is according to our knowledge exceptional for European bullhead and lines up with the general notion of the Balkans as major refuge and present day biodiversity hotspot. Our results correspond with two wave colonization theory of Europe by Cottus genus probosed by Volckaert, first possibly being in Pliocene and second during the Pleistocene, with Balkan Peninsula as starting point for both of them. Keywords: Bullhead, scuplin, Balkan, mtDNA, phylogeny Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Phylogeny, Systematics and Genetics Citation: Bravničar J, Palandačić A, Marić S, Šanda R and Snoj A (2015). Phylogeny of European Bullhead (Cottus sp.) in Western Balkans. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00003 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 04 Nov 2015; Published Online: 04 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Mr. Jernej Bravničar, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Department of Animal Science, Ljubljana, Slovenia, bravnicar.nejc@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Jernej Bravničar Anja Palandačić Saša Marić Radek Šanda Aleš Snoj Google Jernej Bravničar Anja Palandačić Saša Marić Radek Šanda Aleš Snoj Google Scholar Jernej Bravničar Anja Palandačić Saša Marić Radek Šanda Aleš Snoj PubMed Jernej Bravničar Anja Palandačić Saša Marić Radek Šanda Aleš Snoj Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Tissue levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in fish Astyanax bimaculatus from the Una River Basin

This paper seeks to identify the biomarker response to oxidative stress in Astyanax bimaculatus, a freshwater fish, collected from the Una River and its associated water bodies. The fish were collected using fishing nets at three different points on the river basin, namely Fazenda Piloto (FP), Ipiranga (IP) and Remedios (RM), during the period from December 2013 to March 2014. Physical and chemical analyses of the water at the sample locations indicate that IP and RM possibly have larger concentration of either natural or anthropic pollutants as compared to FP. FP can therefore be considered as the point less impacted by pollutants than other points. Hepatic activity of antioxidant stress enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were measured in the specimens. The levels of SOD were reduced at RM while they were elevated in fish collected at IP. The CAT levels for the fish at RM and IP were about 148.9% and 202.4% above the values at FP, respectively. These results suggest that antioxidant enzymes could be used as biomarkers to measure oxidative stress caused by pollutants in the Una River Basin.

Avaliação do comportamento da umidade do solo em áreas de eucalipto e de floresta nativa

Areas occupied by grasslands have been replaced by eucalyptus plantations, which modifies the landscape, the regional economy, and water dynamics in soils. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the behavior of water in Oxisol in two vegetation land covers, a six years old eucalyptus plantation, and a native forest in regeneration process for twenty years. The study was developed in the Una River Basin from June 2009 to April 2011. Ninety six moisture sensors were installed (Watermark™) at depths of 20, 60, and 120 cm. It was observed that, upon the occurrence of rainfall, the superficial and intermediate layers had increased humidity, which did not occur in the deepest layer. It was found that there were differences in soil moisture measured in the areas of eucalyptus and native forest and throughout the study period humidity was maintained between field capacity and permanent wilting point, with no water restriction. Canopy temperature of the eucalyptus plantation remained lower, indicating that its evapotranspiration was higher than in the forest area. The differences in moisture can be explained by the difference between the physical properties of soils in the study areas, because although they have the same slope, receive the same insolation and are close to each other, soil covered by eucalyptus presented a water storage capacity 63% above the area with native forest. It was also observed that all rainfall reaching the soil surface infiltrated and there was no runoff in the two areas studied. It was concluded that the results of this research provide important insights about differences in the behavior of water in the soil when covered by eucalyptus or native forest. For this reason, we suggest further studies with greater geographic reach in paired areas with different slopes, aspects and soil types.

Bioindicador Ceriodaphnia dubia aplicado na avaliação ecotoxicológica da água da bacia hidrográfica do rio Una

The majority of the Una River Basin is located in Taubate County and contributes significantly to its water supply. The main goal of this research was to evaluate the water quality of the Una River using the microcrustacean C. dubia as bioindicator for tests of chronic and acute toxicity. Bimonthly water samples were obtained from each of six localities throughout the Una Basin, from March to October, 2011. Physical-chemical water parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, hardness, dissolved oxygen and precipitation were measured and correlated to the C. dubia reproductive rates. No significant relationships were found between the water’s electrical conductivity and precipitation with respect to bioindicator reproductive rates. However, at the Sete Voltas, Antas and Rocinha Sub-Basins, significant interactions were detected between some water parameters and reproductive rates, suggesting that water may constrain the reproduction of C. dubia. Acute toxicity was not detected in any of the six sites, while chronic toxicity was recorded at Rocinha, Sete Voltas, Antas, Medio and Baixo Una Sub-Basins. In general, the water quality of the Una Basin, as indicated by the absence of acute toxicity, still remains in an acceptable conservation condition. Caution is needed, however, since slight pollution sources are causing chronic toxicity in some localities. In addition, as the microcrustacean C. dubia, appeared to be a reliable bioindicator in this investigation, we suggest that it be used for continuous water quality monitoring programs.

Eventos extremos e risco de inundação: uma análise do comportamento evolutivo dos Distúrbios Ondulatórios de Leste em junho de 2010 sobre a bacia do rio Una - Pernambuco

Os Distúrbios Ondulatórios de Leste (DOL’s) são perturbações dos ventos alísios que, no Nordeste do Brasil, geralmente se associam a eventos extremos de precipitação. Este trabalho analisa o comportamento evolutivo de um DOL que atingiu o Estado de Pernambuco em junho de 2010, provocando inundações e grandes prejuízos humanos e econômicos. O recorte escolhido para análise foi a bacia hidrográfica do rio Una, que teve 11 municípios afetados. A análise do evento baseou-se na interpretação de imagens GOES-12 realçadas e TRMM. Constatou-se que a análise de imagens GOES-12 isoladas não produz uma resposta eficaz, no entanto, quando associada a mais informações, chega a uma resposta concisa e de extrema importância para os estudos relacionados a eventos climáticos. Para avaliação da vulnerabilidade à inundação das diversas sedes municipais da bacia do Una, utilizou-se um estimador de densidade Kernel baseado nos valores de magnitude da rede de drenagem. Os resultados indicaram que mesmo áreas naturalmente menos vulneráveis podem ser seriamente afetadas em função do montante precipitado.
 
 Abstract
 
 EXTREME EVENTS AND FLOOD RISK: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCEEDING OF EASTERLY WAVES DISTURBS IN JUNE 2010 ON THE WATERSHED OF UNA RIVER - PERNAMBUCO
 
 The easterly waves (DOL’s) are disorders of the trade winds, which, in northeastern Brazil, usually are associated with extreme precipitation events. This paper examines the evolutionary pattern of a DOL that hit the state of Pernambuco in June 2010, causing flooding and severe economic losses humans. The clipping chosen for analysis was the Una river basin, which had 11 affected municipalities. The analysis of the event based on the interpretation of images GOES-12 and TRMM. It was found that the analysis of GOES-12 images isolated not produce an effective, however, when combined with more information, come to a concise answer and extremely important for studies related to climate events. To evaluate the vulnerability to flooding of several municipal seats Una river basin, used a kernel density estimator based on the magnitude values of the drainage network. The results indicated that even naturally less vulnerable areas can be seriously affected by the amount precipitated.

Determinação de áreas prioritárias para o restabelecimento da cobertura florestal, apoiada no uso de geotecnologias

The determination of priority areas for the re-establishment of forest cover in watersheds is directly associated to the probability of effective success of restoration processes. However, considering the complexity of the analysis and the large amount of spatial data necessary to accomplish that purpose, state of the art technological tools capable of processing multicriteria analysis to support decision making are necessary. Thus, the current work developed for an area of 476 km² corresponding to the Una river watershed in the municipal district of

A Importância da Preservação das Acumulações Bioclásticas da Planície Costeira do Rio Una, Municípios de Cabo Frio e Armação dos Búzios, RJ, Brasil

In the coastal plain of the Una river, county of Cabo Frio and Armação dos Búzios, are found layers of shells of great lateral extent, related to the latest Holocene marine transgression that occurred approximately 5.000 years B.P. The aim of this study is to characterize the distribution of the bioclastic accumulations in this region, for palaeoenvironmental studies and identification of variation of relative sea level. In this area has been found so far six locations where outcrop bioclastic layers composed primarily of molluscs: outfall of the Una river; drainage channel of the Marina Porto Búzios; Tauá Reserve; Condominium Portal de Buzios;Campos Novos; Araçá Farm. The deposit Tauá Reserve is a Site of Geology and Paleontology with description approved by SIGEP, and is considered one of the most important records during the Holocene marine transgression across the State of Rio de Janeiro. However, other deposits found in the region have special features that refer equal value, mainly due to differences regarding the taxonomic composition and habit of life and age of the mollusc deposits. Therefore, the preservation of these deposits is extremely important, because they are source material for taxonomic, palaeoenvironmental, taphonomic and geochronological studies. Because they are considered biological indicators of change in relative sea level, also have a great importance for the didactic and scientific research related to this topic. Comparative studies involving aspects of taxonomic, paleoecological, taphonomic and geochronological deposits in the coastal plain of the river Una are underway and results will contribute for understanding the processes palaeoenvironmental and change in relative sea level in the region of Cabo Frio.

Identification of distinct evolutionary units in allopatric populations of Hypostomus cf. wuchereri Günther, 1864 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): karyotypic evidence

Few chromosomal reports are available for the endemic fish fauna from coastal basins in northeastern Brazil, and regional biodiversity remains partially or completely unknown. This is particularly true for Loricariidae, the most diverse family of armored catfishes. In the present work, allopatric populations of Hypostomus cf. wuchereri (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from two basins in Bahia (northeastern Brazil) were cytogenetically analyzed. Both populations shared 2n = 76 chromosomes, a karyotype formula of 10m+18sm+48st/a (FN = 104) and single terminal GC-rich NORs on the second metacentric pair. Nevertheless, microstructural differences were detected by C-banding, fluorochrome staining and chromosomal digestion with restriction enzymes (Alu I, Bam HI, Hae III, and Dde I). The population from Una River (Recôncavo Sul basin) showed conspicuous heterochromatin blocks and a remarkable heterogeneity of base composition (presence of interspersed AT/GC-rich and exclusively AT- or GC-rich sites), while the population from Mutum river (Contas River basin) presented interstitial AT-rich C-bands and terminal GC/AT-rich heterochromatin. Each enzyme yielded a specific band profile per population which allowed us characterizing up to five heterochromatin families in each population. Based on the present data, we infer that these populations have been evolving independently, as favored by their geographic isolation, probably representing cryptic species.

Os manguezais de Búzios

In the city of Buzios (RJ), Brazil, from the Una River, mangroves tend to develop the physiographic type of fringe or border, that is, mangroves growing on beaches without a upstream freshwater source. In Buzios, however, the three mangroves of this type benefit from aquifers derived from sea cliffs and dunes that provide fresh water not as rivers, but as outcrops. Beside them two riparian mangroves were also registered. All are mainly threatened by tourism, and require special protection instruments.

The mangroves of Búzios

In the city of Buzios (RJ), Brazil, from the Una River, mangroves tend to develop the physiographic type of fringe or border, that is, mangroves growing on beaches without a upstream freshwater source. In Buzios, however, the three mangroves of this type benefit from aquifers derived from sea cliffs and dunes that provide fresh water not as rivers, but as outcrops. Beside them two riparian mangroves were also registered. All are mainly threatened by tourism, and require special protection instruments.

Vulnerability of the karst area related to potentially toxic elements

Soil samples from 31 locations in the Una river spring catchment were subject to chemical extraction analyses. The data were presented as distribution maps of potentially toxic elements (Al, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) in the surface soil of the area. To evaluate the vulnerability of the immediate spring zone of the karst catchment, the vulnerability map was derived from the application of the PI methodology proposed by the European COST Action 620. The PI method used to produce the vulnerability map takes into account the protective cover (P) and the infiltration conditions (I). It is based on the origin-pathway-target model. The π-factor (π = P ´ I) describes the vulnerability in the area, subdivided into 5 classes: π-factor in the range 0-1 implies an area of extreme vulnerability, while π-factor in the range 4-5 implies an area of very low vulnerability. The extraction procedure for the elements Al, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn, has been applied in order to determine the potential mobility and redistribution of elements that could influence the groundwater and affect its quality. The applied extraction was the second step of the sequential procedure proposed by TESSIER et al. (1979), i.e. extraction with 1 mol dm-3 CH3COONa/CH3COOH buffer (pH 5). The results provide information on the potential mobility of the studied elements, indicating the possibility of their mobilization through changes in pH. Lead shows the greatest amount of mobility, with a mean of 9% (max. 16%) extracted under an acidic condition. Manganese follows with a mean of 5% (max. 11%) and zinc, copper and aluminium show less than 1% (mean) mobility. The vulnerability map of the karst area was produced in order to predict potential problem areas of karst aquifers. The Una spring catchment area presents generally low to moderate vulnerability; 8% of the studied area can be considered as extremely vulnerable according to the PI-methodology. Based on these data it was possible to delineate areas with a low protection cover i.e. combining the vulnerability map of the karst area with the distribution maps of potentially toxic elements, areas considered extremely vulnerable could be identified.