Elements in water, suspended particulate matter and sediments of the Sava River

Abstract

PurposeRiver ecosystems are under pressure from several different stressors. Among these, inorganic pollutants contribute to multiple stressor situations and the overall degradation of the ecological status of the aquatic environments. The main sources of pollution include different industrial activities, untreated effluents from municipal waste waters and intensive agriculture. In the present study, water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments of the Sava River were studied in order to assess the pollution status of this river system.Materials and methodsSampling was performed during the first sampling campaign of the EU 7th FW funded GLOBAQUA project in September 2014, at 18 selected sampling sites along the Sava River. In 2014, floods predominated from spring to fall. Water samples were collected to determine the total element concentrations, the dissolved (0.45 μm) fraction and element concentrations in SPM. In order to assure comparative results with other river basins, the fraction below 63 μm was analysed in sediments. The extent of pollution was estimated by determination of the total element concentrations and by the identification of the most hazardous highly mobile element fractions (extraction 0.11 mol L−1 acetic acid) and anthropogenic inputs of elements to sediments (normalization to aluminium (Al) concentration). Concentrations of selected elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).Results and discussionSince during sampling campaign the water level was extremely high, water samples contained high amounts of SPM (in general between 80 and 100 mg L−1). The data of chemical analysis revealed that concentrations of elements in water, SPM and sediments in general increase along the Sava River from its origin to the confluence with the Danube River. Elevated concentrations of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in SPM and sediments were observed at industrially exposed sites. Concentrations of Cr and Ni in sediments were up to 320 and 250 mg kg−1, respectively. Nevertheless, these elements were present in sparingly soluble forms and hence did not represent an environmental threat. Phosphorus (P) was found in elevated concentrations (up to 1500 mg kg−1) at regions with intensive agricultural activities and cities with dense population.ConclusionsWith respect to element concentrations, the pollution of the Sava River is similar to other moderately polluted European rivers. The data from the present study are beneficial for the water management authorities and can contribute to sustainable utilization, management and protection of the Sava River water resources.