The development of dams alters the structure and function of river ecosystems. Dam reservoirs have an impact on flow regime, sediment transport, and water quality. Damming a river decreases water velocity, which leads to an increase in suspended sediments deposition. Reservoirs often are described as water treatment plants because they trap water contaminants and suspended sediments. Suspended sediments are the principal factor for heavy metals transport [1][2]. Human activity increased input of heavy metals to water bodies where sediments are deposited [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Amin et al. [9] and Zheng et. al. [10] reported that more than 90% of the heavy metal load in the water bodies has been associated with suspended particulate matter and sediments. The spatial and seasonal variations of heavy metal loads are controlled by suspended sediment concentrations as well as water pH, which controls the absorbance of heavy metals [11].The spatial distribution of sediments in a reservoir is not uniform [12]. Toward the dam, sediments are usually more fine-grained and lithologically uniform [13]. The heavy metals concentrations generally increased with the decrease of particle size and increase of organic matter. The concentration of heavy metals in Pol.
AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the heavy metals transport in a river-reservoir system. Sediment samples from 25 locations (9 from the Powa River and 16 from the Stare Miasto Reservoir) were analyzed for trace metals contents (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb). The relationships between heavy metal concentrations and bottom sediment physical properties were determined with the use of the multivariate statistical techniques cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The results showed that concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of the reservoir were higher than those in the bottom sediments of the river. Concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediments in the river above the reservoir were characterized by lower spatial variability. Decisive influence on heavy metal concentrations of bottom sediments had silt, clay, and total organic matter content.