Volume 4 Issue 1

Abstract

The occurrence of heavy metals in water ecosystems and sediment can impact human life, due to their possible transfer to food chain and adverse effects. Therefore, it is crucial the evaluation of the status of heavy metals in water and sediments in order to evaluate water quality and their environmental impacts. Current study aims to evaluate the occurrence of heavy metals in water and sediment as well as the water and sediment pollution of Drini Bardhë River in Kosovo. Three representatives sampling sites were selected along Drini Bardhë River to collect water and sediment samples. Heavy metals concentrations in water and sediment samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The data of heavy metal concentration in water were compared with EC Directives 75/440/EEC and 2008/105/EC in order to evaluate water quality. The degree of sediment pollution was evaluated by using Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo). Based on obtained data of heavy metals concentration in water, the values of iron and arsenic were over acceptable values of EC directives. Enrichment factor (Ef) calculations showed that sediments have moderate severe enrichment for Cd and Ni, minimal enrichment for Cu, Cr, and Pb, whereas no enrichment for Fe, Mn and Zn. Based on Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) calculations sediments result strongly polluted with Cd and Ni, moderately polluted with Cr, unpolluted to moderately polluted with Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn, and unpolluted with Fe. The Occurrence of heavy metals in water and sediments indicates potential risk of some heavy metals as their amounts were over acceptable limits. 1. Introduction The assessment of various substances, such are heavy metals in water and sediments, is also important for the categorization of the environmental status of the water ecosystems [15]. Through the pollution of water and sediments by heavy metals, the historical pollution of those ecosystems is defined since heavy metals cannot degrade and continuously keep on depositing in sediments [2, 6]. Monitoring of the contamination of water and sediments by heavy metals is very important, because heavy metals may accumulate to toxic levels in water ecosystems without any visible signs. Thus, high level of heavy metals in water and sediment can impact not only aquatic organisms but also all organisms and human life due to transfer through food chain [9, 17]. The human activity increases the amount of chemical substances and heavy metals in water environments [1]. Industrial waste and uncontrolled discharges of sewage has caused contamination of ecosystem with elements such as copper, chromium, manganese, lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel, etc. High concentrations of heavy metals in the water can have negative effects on yield of crop, food quality and safety of public health [13]. Most heavy metals from anthropogenic activities accumulate in sediments of rivers, where they are absorbed by clay and other materials, causing serious changes in ecosystems to organisms living in natural aquatic systems [5, 7, 14]. Therefore it is necessary participation of human activity in various natural processes in order to execute the application of various methods for the preservation and protection of many processes in nature. This study was carried out to determine the occurence of heavy metals in water and sediments of Drini Bardhë River and to evaluate the degree of pollution by heavy metals. Such assessment would define the situation of this ecosystem, because heavy metals are serious pollutants in aquatic environments, in terms of their toxicity and ability to be incorporated in food chains [5].