- 4.2 Pressure impact on the aquatic life in the Litani basin, Lebanon

The abundance and biomass of the fauna in Lake Qaraoun are sufficient to sustain a normal fish population, although the values are on the low end. Agricultural activities in the watershed, manipulation of the aquatic zone (such as canalization, abstraction, and weirs) and disposal of pollutants into the watercourse are expected to have an adverse impact on the biological communities. An important effect of pollutant discharge, particularly effluents containing metals and persistent organic chemicals, is the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of toxic substances in the riverine/lake food chain. (5.2 Aquatic life - p. 38)