Studies of heavy metal content in bottom sediments and aquatic plants near treated wastewater discharge

Abstract

The paper attempts to determine the degree of impact of discharged wastewater from five treatment plants on the Bug River ecosystem and its inflow, the Kamianka. For laboratory tests, samples of bottom sediments and aquatic plants were collected in 2014. The content of heavy metals: Zn, Pb, Ni in bottom sediments and aquatic plants (root, stem, leaf) growing close to the discharge of purified sewage, were analyzed. The amount of metals in the samples was determined applying the AAS method in its flame version. The average content of the metals determined in bottom sediments from the study points located before the treatment plant were Zn-21.8; Pb-11.5; Ni-13.7 mg⋅kg −1. However, the content of these metals was higher in samples from the collection points which were located after the place of purified sewage discharge and amounted to: Zn-34.3; Pb-12.2; Ni-16.9 mg⋅kg −1. The test plants were Acorus calamus L., Nuphar lutea L., Typha angustifolia L. The content of metals in the individual parts of macrophytes (root, stem, leaf) was as follows: Zn > Pb > Ni. In the bottom sediments and aquatic plants of the Bug and Kamianka rivers, a higher content of lead, zinc and nickel was found after the discharge of treated sewage in relation to their content than before discharge, but it was not a threat to the aquatic environment of the watercourses studied. Statistical analysis showed that the amount of sewage discharged to the tested receivers influenced the content of organic matter, zinc and nickel in bottom sediments.

Studia Quaternaria

“…In the first stage basic statistical values describing distribution of variables in the data set were analysed taking into account the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values and variability of particular variables. The analysis of these measures first allows the identification of parameters that deviate from the natural character of changes, resulting from seasonal changes in the environment (Skorbiłowicz et al, 2017).…”

Geochemical Assessment of Heavy Metal Distribution in Bug River Sediments, Poland: The Impacts of Urbanization and Agricultural Practices

“…These processes include the sorption and complexation of fine particles such as clay minerals, iron and manganese oxides, and organic matter, as well as coprecipitation with other elements [20]. The physicochemical properties of sediments, such as pH, carbonate content, organic matter, and redox potential, can significantly influence the processes of heavy metal accumulation [21].…”

“…Moreover, the chemical composition of sediments often serves as a more reliable indicator of water contamination than the chemical composition of water, which exhibits more significant temporal variability [1]. At the same time, sediments' role in assessing the aquatic environment's state is becoming increasingly important, as the direct relationship between the quality of river sediments and the state of water contamination is undeniable [9,13,16,21,22].…”

“…These activities introduce traditional contaminants and newer, less-studied compounds that can have unforeseen effects on aquatic ecosystems [7,19]. Additionally, the interactions between different sources of pollution, such as industrial wastewater combined with stormwater runoff in urban areas, can lead to synergistic effects, increasing the mobility and toxicity of heavy metals in river sediments [21,22]. Recent geochemical modeling and monitoring advancements have begun to unravel these complex interactions, providing deeper insights into the transport and fate of sediment-associated heavy metals.…”