Contribution
Die Schwermetallbelastung von Sedimenten der Donau
[Heavy metals in the sediments of the river Danube]
Petrović, G.; Schleichert, U.
Veröffentlichungen der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Donauforschung Band 6 Heft 4 (1981), p. 323 - 331
14 références bibliographiques
publié: Oct 23, 1981
DOI: 10.1127/agdonauforschung/6/1981/323
ArtNo. ESP142005204000, Prix: 19.00 €
Abstract
Heavy metals, one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, were estimated in the sediments in the area of the Djerdap Reservoir in order to assess the degree of pollution of that part of the Yugoslav Danube by waste waters. Numerous investigations have shown that sediments reflect most accurately the degree of pollution of aquatic ecosystems, especially in respect to heavy metals reaching the recipients mainly through waste waters. The analysed sediments were sampled in the period 1972—1977 in the sector of the Danube from 863—1095 km. Sediment analyses from its tributaries the Sava, Morava, Pek and Timok rivers were also carried out. The following metals originating from human activity were assessed: mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel, cobalt, chromium and copper. Mercury and cadmium were assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the other metals by X-ray fluorescence. Industrial and urban development during the last 20 years has caused certain increase of the heavy metal content in the area of Djerdap. The amounts have increased by the following factors: lead and cadmium —5; zinc, nickel and copper —2; mercury and cobalt —0. There has been less contamination in the Yugoslav part of the Danube than in the German part. This means that the situation in the Yugoslav part of the Danube is still more favourable when compared with other heavily contaminated rivers in the highly industrialized countries.
Mots-clefs
pollutants • pollution • tributaries • human activity • Djerdap Reservoir • Yugoslav Danube