RÉSUMÉ

The quality, trophic level, and saprobiological parameters of water in the lower Dniester River were assessed retrospectively over the period of 40 years. The results showed that water during this period mainly belonged to class 3 (sufficient cleanness) according to the integrated ecological classification of continental surface waters. In 1983 and 1984, however, water quality was impaired (class 4, polluted water) as a consequence of the accident at the Stebnik chemical plant.