Quantitative monitoring of pollution in Mitrovica Lake using empirical model and geographic information science & systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT Continuous monitoring of water is crucial for assessing its quality. This paper aims to evaluate water quality in the Artificial Lake of Mitrovica, an area known for heavy metal pollution due to nearby industrial activities. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive year-long investigation of the lake, involving the assessment of water quality, spatial analysis, and pollutant evaluation at six different sampling locations, collected in April, June, and September to ensure consistent monitoring. We utilised atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to measure concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, and cadmium. Indices such as the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Metal Index (MI) were used to assess water quality. Additionally, spatial analysis was conducted using QGIS and Ordinary Kriging to visualise contamination levels across the study area. While many water parameters met international standards, certain sites, particularly those with lead concentrations (Pb2+), exceeded permissible limits, indicating areas of potential concern. This study offers valuable insights for policymaking at both local levels in Mitrovica as well as nationally in Kosova. The study overall emphasises the importance of addressing heavy metal pollution in the region.