Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.15.4.4
Published in: Holistic Approach Environ. 15(2025) 4, pp. 169 – 179
Paper reference number: HAE-2541
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ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF SANDY BEACHES ON THE ALBANIAN ADRIATIC COAST 

Edjona Bici*, Spase Shumka**

* Institute of Public Health, Department of Public Health Risk Assessment and Treatment, Tirana, Albania

* Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food, Tirana Albania

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of six beaches on the Adriatic Coast of Albania, stretching along a 200 km line, to identify the microbiological quality of sand and the preferences and priorities of beachgoers regarding their use. The six beaches considered are the most used areas of the Adriatic coast in the country and are generally perceived as major tourist destinations. Beach quality must be specifically addressed because overcrowding can lead to excessive waste, lower water quality, and ultimately lower socioeconomic value of the area. A significant public health hazard associated with gastrointestinal, dermatological, and other illnesses is microbial contamination of beach sand, especially with faecal characteristics such as Escherichia coli and Intestinal Enterococcus bacteria, as well as other faecal pathogens. The average levels of both bacteria are slightly higher in 2024 than in 2023, suggesting that while there were more average cases of contamination in 2024, there were not necessarily more severe cases. The lowest results in both years (4 – 5 CFU/g sand) are extremely low, indicating that some samples may have very little or no contamination. Strong outliers are indicated by the extremely high and comparable maximum values in both years, which is also confirmed by boxplot analysis. The large levels of variability in both years support the existence of contamination hotspots, indicating that contamination is not constant but fluctuates widely between samples.

Keywords: Adriatic, sand beach quality, microbiological pollution, beach user, beach management
Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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