Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

Valentina Andreea Calmuc; Madalina Calmuc; Maxim Arseni; Catalina Maria Topa; Mihaela Timofti; Adrian Burada; Catalina Iticescu; Lucian P. Georgescu

doi:10.3390/w13131801

Water (Jun 2021)

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

Valentina Andreea Calmuc,
Madalina Calmuc,
Maxim Arseni,
Catalina Maria Topa,
Mihaela Timofti,
Adrian Burada,
Catalina Iticescu,
Lucian P. Georgescu

Affiliations

Valentina Andreea Calmuc: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania
Madalina Calmuc: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania
Maxim Arseni: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania
Catalina Maria Topa: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania
Mihaela Timofti: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania
Adrian Burada: Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
Catalina Iticescu: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania
Lucian P. Georgescu: European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, University of Galati, 800001 Galati, Romania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13131801
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 13
p. 1801

Abstract

Read online

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only in the Danube basin, but also in the large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing the level of heavy metals and their toxicity in sediments is the calculation of pollution indices. The present research aims to assess heavy metal pollution in the Lower Danube surface sediments collected along the Danube course (between 180 and 60 km) up to the point where the Danube River flows into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area is one of the largest European hydrographic basins. Five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed in two different seasons, i.e., the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment of heavy metal pollution revealed two correlated aspects: 1. a determination of the potential risks of heavy metals in sediments by calculating the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), and 2. an evaluation of the influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments, using three specific pollution indices, namely, the Geo–Accumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (CF), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results of this pioneering research activity in the region highlighted the presence of moderate metal (Ni and Cd) pollution and a low potential ecological risk for the aquatic environment.

Published in Water

ISSN: 2073-4441 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Hydraulic engineering; Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/water/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords