The assessment and distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments from the reservoir 'Barje': Serbia

Abstract

In this study, the nature of the association of heavy metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, Mn, and Zn) in sediments of the recent reservoir 'Barje' (Leskovac, Serbia) was investigated. The aim was to make the identification of their substrates, as well as to define the external factors (hydrological and anthropogenic affecting their distribution) which will contribute to a better understanding of the interactions that take place in the reservoir and predict the mobility of the investigated heavy metals. Chemical distribution of heavy metals was tested by using the method of sequential extraction and by data processing using statistical methods such as correlation, cluster and factor analysis. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that major substrates of heavy metals are in the residual immobile fraction (Fe, Zn and Ni). Since the accumulation has a small organic substance content, Fe and Mn oxides are the most important binding substrates of heavy metals. Although it was determined that lead and cadmium are of the carbonate nature, their concentrations in the reservoir are negligible.

Cilj ovog rada je da se ispitivanjem prirode asocijacija teških metala (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, Mn, Zn) izvrši identifikacija njihovih supstrata u akumulaciji 'Barje' (Leskovac, Srbija), kao i da se definišu spoljni faktori (hidrološki i antropogeni koji utiču na njihovu raspodelu) što će doprineti boljem razumevanju interakcija koje se odigravaju u akumulaciji i prognozu mobilnosti na osnovu toga. Hemijska raspodela teških metala ispitana je korišćenjem metode sekvencijalne ekstrakcije i obradom dobijenih podataka statističkim metodama kao što su korelaciona, klaster i faktorska analiza. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da se većina teških metala nalazi u rezidualnoj nepokretnoj frakciji (Fe, Zn i Ni). Zato što je u akumulaciji mali sadržaj organske supstance oksidi gvožđa i mangana su najznačajniji supstrati za vezivanje teških metala. Iako je utvrđeno da je olovo i kadmijum karbonatne prirode njihove koncentracije u akumulaciji su zanemarljivo male.