River sediment quality and quantity: environmental, geochemical and ecological perspectives

Author(s):  
Krystian Obolewski ◽  
Michał Habel ◽  
Sergey Chalov
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽  
Alemnew Berhanu Kassegne ◽  
Seyoum Leta Asfaw

Abstract Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals released into the river are eventually adsorbed and settle in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96 ± 0.021–235.2 ± 0.001 mg/kg); Cr (2.19 ± 0.014–440.8 ± 0.003 mg/kg); Cd (2.09 ± 0.001–4.16 ± 0.0001 mg/kg) and Pb (30.92 ± 0.018–596.4 ± 0.066 mg/kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significantly enriched with Zn and Cr; moderate to very highly enriched with Pb, and very highly enriched in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very highly contaminated with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3) > (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2) > (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources. The ecological risk (RI = 350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution. The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Y. Lim ◽  
N. A. Zakaria ◽  
K. Y. Foo

Abstract The present work is aimed at assessing the aftermath effects of the 2014 flood tragedy on the distribution, pollution status and ecological risks of the heavy metals deposited in the surface river sediment. A series of environmental pollution indexes, specifically the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been adopted. Results revealed that the freshly deposited sediments collected soon after the flood event were dominated by Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cd, with the average concentrations of 38.74, 16,892, 17.71, 4.65, 29.22, 42.36 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. According to the heavy metal pollution indexes, Pahang River sediments were moderately to severely contaminated with Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr, while Cd with the highest risk of 91.09 was the predominant element that illustrated an aesthetic ecological risk to the water body after the tragic flood event. The findings highlighted a critical deterioration of the heavy metals content, driven by the catastrophic flood event, which has drastically altered their geochemical cycles, sedimentary pollution status and biochemical balance of the river's environment.


Author(s):  
Eleni Sazakli ◽  
George Siavalas ◽  
Athina Fidaki ◽  
Kimon Christanis ◽  
Hrissi K. Karapanagioti ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Ostoich ◽  
Marco Carcereri ◽  
Jvan Barbaro

Purpose – The tannery industry impacts strongly on water bodies due to the presence of chemical substances, such as chlorides, sulphates, chromium and other pollutants. This study has been carried out with a view to enhance the environmental compatibility of the Arzignano tannery district (northern Italy) which is the largest in Italy, by improving the quality of the Fratta-Gorzone River. Sediment quality, according to the driving forces-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) scheme, has been developed as a significant impact indicator to be applied at basin level. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issues. Design/methodology/approach – Data were produced during institutional monitoring and control activities carried out by ARPAV (Veneto Region Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency) according to official methods. To define the environmental impacts on the river basin, a statistical assessment was performed on water and sediment quality data to establish the degree of correlation for the main pollutants along the river stem. Findings – In the basin considered, sediment quality presents high levels of contamination from heavy metals – in particular chromium (Cr) (III) – as well as organic pollutants. Investigation of the pressure sources revealed that the discharge from the Arzignano tannery district is the main source of Cr (III), according to background studies performed in the same area. Practical implications – The quality of river sediments must be improved in order to avoid the re-suspension/solubility of pollutants; dredged materials with high polluting substances must be managed with specific precautions in order to safeguard the environment. Originality/value – The river studied is currently the only significant water body in which sediment monitoring has been performed in the Veneto Region (Italy) since 2002. This study presents issues linked to the characterization of river sediment and the correlation between sediment quality and water pollution and prior and current pressure sources.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽  
Alemnew Berhanu Berhanu Kassegne ◽  
Seyoum Leta Leta Asfaw

Abstract Background: Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals released into the river are eventually adsorbed and settle in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices.Results: The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96 ± 0.021 - 235.2 ± 0.001mg/kg); Cr (2.19 ± 0.014 - 440.8 ± 0.003 mg/kg); Cd (2.09 ± 0.001-4.16 ± 0.0001mg/kg) and Pb (30.92 ± 0.018 -596.4 ± 0.066 mg/kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significantly enriched with Zn and Cr; moderate to very highly enriched with Pb, and very highly enriched in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very highly contaminated with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3)> (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2)> (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources. The ecological risk (RI =350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution.Conclusions: The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Protima Sarker ◽  
Md. Shiblur Rahaman ◽  
Mohammad Mahbub Kabir ◽  
Masahiro Maruo

The Dhaleswari river is considered as one of the most important rivers of Bangladesh due to its geographical location and ecological services. The present study attempts to evaluate the degree of heavy metal pollution, contamination, and accumulative behavior in  the sediment of the Dhaleswari river. The sediment samples were collected from fifteen different locations of the Dhaleswari river. Heavy metals were analyzed using the Flame Atomic Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd were 131.9, 48.89, 43.16, 33.23 and 0.37 mgkg-1, respectively. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Sediment Quality Guideline, the sediment of most of the locations were not polluted for Pb and Cd. But S-11 location for Cd (0.8 mg kg-1) was highly polluted. For Cr, Cu and Zn, maximum locations were moderately polluted. Although the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values of Dhaleswari river sediments showed almost no severe contamination for most of the sampling locations, the pollution load index (PLI) values showed that most of the sampling sites were contaminated for all heavy metals tested. Moreover, for all measured heavy metals, the mean Contamination Factor (CF) values indicated moderate pollution, except for Cr, which suggested low pollution. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix among the selected heavy metals of Dhaleswari river sediment showed no significant correlation among each other. Therefore, regular monitoring of the heavy metal concentration of the Dhaleshwari river sediment from different location is necessary to identify the sources of pollution so that proper initiative could be taken to prevent heavy metal pollution.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Boets ◽  
Olivier Thas ◽  
Ellen Van De Vijver ◽  
Koen Lock ◽  
Katrien Töpke ◽  
...  

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