Abstract
This study investigated the quality of Kupa River sediment using sequential extraction, ecological risk, and contamination indexes (Risk assessment code, Index of geoaccumulation, Enrichment factor, Ecological risk factor, Ecological risk index), determination of magnetic susceptibility of sediments, and statistical methods. The BCR sequential extraction technique was used for evaluating various element-binding forms. Most of the elements were considered to be immobile due to the high availability in the residual fraction. Lead was present mainly in the reducible fraction, while more easily mobile and bioavailable forms were predominant for cadmium and barium. Sediment samples from the river catchment exhibited low ecological risk. The most toxic element, Cd, is the main contributor to the total potentially ecological risk. Increased values of contamination factors have been observed for Zn, Cr, and Ba in some localities. Results of the comparison of element contents in sediments in a 15-year period (2018 vs. 2003) indicated that the situation with toxic element content in sediments along Kupa River improved formost of its course. Unfortunately, on the lower course of the river, the situation has worsened. Using the example of Kupa River sediments, it was shown that the magnetic susceptibility method is excellent indetecting increased values of Cr.
Highlights
Rivers perform a suite of ecological functions such as water transport, aquaculture, agricultural irrigation, domestic water, and tourism
Mobile and and bioavailable forms were predominant for cadmium and barium
The chemical fractionation of sediment samples showed that studied elements are mainly derived from the source material, instead of anthropogenic contamination
Summary
Rivers perform a suite of ecological functions such as water transport, aquaculture, agricultural irrigation, domestic water, and tourism. Fluvial systems are the most important dynamic systems, wherein their interaction with the continental crust causes constant recycling of the materials of the. Rivers are the prime carrier of sedimentary materials from continents to the ocean, which results from continental denudation, i.e., the synergic action of rock weathering and erosion [1]. Sediments are a sink for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and other contaminants [2]. Monitoring of sediment contaminants and assessment of sediment quality are usually carried out with the objectives of determining the extent to which the sediments are either a source or a sink for contaminants. Contaminated sediments are in direct contact with the biota, especially the benthic organisms that they provide with habitat and food, leading to toxic effects and allowing the
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