Diffuse Pollution and Ecological Risk Assessment in Ludaš Lake Special Nature Reserve and Palić Nature Park (Pannonian Basin)

Milica Caković,Jelena Beloica,Aleksandar Baumgertel,Fritz Schwaiger,Sara Lukić,Predrag Miljković,Snežana Belanović Simić

doi:10.3390/f12111461

Milica Caković, Jelena Beloica + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111461

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Abstract

Diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) is one of the major factors causing water pollution in Lakes Palić and Ludaš, the two largest shallow lakes of the Pannonian Basin in Serbia. These two lakes are protected under national and international law. On the basis of the number of strictly protected bird species, Ludaš Lake has been classified as a wetland of international importance since 1977 (Ramsar site 3YU002); in 2021, both lakes were nominated as potential Natura 2000 areas. Despite the degree of protection and ecological significance of the area, agricultural land prevails. By a process of land expropriation during 2019, the buffer zone began to expand around the lakes, which should lead to a reduction in pollution. One of the goals of buffer-zone development is to enhance and restore the ecological connectivity of the remaining forest-steppe habitats. During the expropriation process, soil was sampled to record areas with the highest pollution. This paper assesses the environmental risk caused by phosphorus, nitrogen, and the accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Mn, Cd, and Hg). For each heavy metal, the corresponding pollution indices (Igeo, PI, EF, Eri, RI, Nemerow) and soil contamination level were calculated. Pollution indices indicate the ecological risk under the influence of heavy metals in the following order: Cd > Cu > Ni > Zn > Pb > Cr > Hg. Results showed that concentrations of Cd exceeded the maximal permissible concentration in all examined soil samples, and high ecological risk areas were determined. High concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were detected, which could be as a result of intensive agricultural activity. Current conservation measures in this area have not provided adequate protection of the natural environment. Accordingly, existing measures must be controlled or new, more restrictive measures must be prescribed.

Highlights

Diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) is a major global environmental issue, causing eutrophication, reducing the recreational potential of water bodies, and affecting human health [1,2]
This paper examines the concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals and nutrients in soils in a protected natural area exposed to anthropogenic influence
One of the largest forest–steppe regions with rich biodiversity and many endemic species left in Europe is located in the Pannonian Basin

Summary

Introduction

Diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) is a major global environmental issue, causing eutrophication, reducing the recreational potential of water bodies, and affecting human health [1,2]. Intensive agricultural production affects both the soil and diffuse pollution of water bodies in the immediate vicinity [4,5]. Total nitrogen that reaches water bodies through point sources was reduced by 25% from 1993 to 2001 [6], while the impact of diffuse pollution is still at a high level [6,7]. The elevated concentrations of nutrients (N, P2 O5 , K2 O) and heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb) are usually related to human activity, which first includes the proximity of settlements [15], followed by developed tourism [16], nearby roads [17], intensive agricultural production, and pesticide use [18]

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