Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems are a valuable part of natural environment. The increasing level of pollution in waters transforming biocoenoses and other adverse effects of the impact of toxic substances have contributed to the development of biological monitoring. The aim of the study was to determine the changes in contents of zinc and lead in bottom sediments and roots of aquatic plants: Phragmites australis and Acorus calamus in the river Narew. There were 14 points on the river, from where samples of bottom sediments and plant material were collected. The contents of lead and zinc were determined by means of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry using Varian device. It was proven that bottom sediments were characterized by low contents of zinc and lead except from two sampling points: in Bondary and Narew. Achieved results of analyzes of plant material showed a slight exceeding in the case of lead. Spatial distribution of zinc and lead contents in examined roots of plants coincided with their contents in bottom sediments, which was also confirmed by statistical analysis. It was proven that aquatic plants had greater tendency for accumulation of metals than bottom sediments.
Highlights
Aquatic ecosystems are a valuable part of natural environment
The study object – river Narew flows through the north-eastern part of Poland, it has a length of 484 km, out of which 455 km flows in Poland, Journal of Ecological Engineering vol 16(1), 2015 while the rest flows through the territory of Belarus
It was proved that zinc and lead in bottom sediments of the river Narew occurred in small amounts except for two measurements points: in Bondary (175.8 mgZn∙kg-1, 39.8 mgPb∙kg-1) and Narew (127.1 mgZn∙kg-1, 40.5 mgPb∙kg-1)
Summary
Aquatic ecosystems are a valuable part of natural environment. They influence climate, water retention, maintaining an adequate level of groundwater, create ecological corridors, and play many socio-economic functions [Sadowska 2012]. The development of civilization, industry, agriculture, and transport, contributes to increased environmental pollution, including aquatic ecosystems [Samecka-Cymerman Kempers 2007, Huin et al 2010]. Increasing level of pollution in waters transforming the biocoenoses and other adverse effects of the impact of toxic substances contributed to the development of biological monitoring [Kolada Ciecierska 2008, Zimny 2006]. Macrophytes have been used in bio-indication of aquatic ecosystems. Their structure is adapted for a continuous contact with water. They have an extensive system of absorption of various microelements from the environment, both necessary for life, and harmful ones [Rabajczyk, Jóźwiak 2008]
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