Long term effect of metal pollution in the catchment area of Tisza River

Abstract

In January and March 2000 two tailings dam failures occurred in the upper Tisza catchment area near Baia Mare and Baia Borsa (Romania). These accidents focused attention on the metal pollution of the Tisza catchment area, and the short term effects of them were studied by many researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term effects of these pollutions by determining the Lakanen-Ervio extractable easily available metal contents of samples collected in 2011 from floodplains and pastures along the Tisza (Tivadar, Vasarosnameny, Rakamaz, Tiszacsege), and comparing them to our earlier results. Cu and Zn contents were measured by Optima 3300 DV ICP-OES (Perkin-Elmer). The measurement of Pb and Cd was conducted by QZ 939 GF-AAS (Unicam) in 2000 and by an X7 ICP-MS (Thermo Fisher) in 2011. We found that the Cd, Zn and Pb contents of the pasture near Vasarosnameny exceed limit values and natural background values. In addition, during a 11 year period the easily available Cd, Zn and Pb contents increased significantly, suggesting that the hazard of this pollution should not be neglected.