<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This study was undertaken to assess the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on distribution and potential mobility of heavy metals in sediments of urban streams in Prague, Czech Republic. Contents of total and extractable heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni), mineralogical phases and other sediment properties were measured in 44 surficial sediment samples. Total metal concentrations were obtained after microwave-assisted digestion whilst extractable metal contents were obtained following a sequential extraction scheme (acid soluble, reducible, oxidisable and residual fraction). The multivariate statistics of cluster analysis was used to identify specific areas of contamination and to evaluate the impact of CSOs. The observed mobility order of metals was Cd > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cr. There was a considerable increase in Zn mobility and increase of Cu associated with the oxidisable fraction in the sediments below CSO discharges. Cd was revealed as the most mobile heavy metal with percentages of extraction of approximately 40-60% in acid soluble fraction. Pb was mainly found in reducible fraction associated with Fe/Mn (oxi)hydroxides, which is indicative of anthropogenic pollution. In terms of environmental significance, Cd and Zn can be particularly mobile and bioavailable under acidic conditions, because they are predominantly bound in labile fractions. However, potential changes of redox state and pH may remobilize the metals bound to carbonates, reducible, and/or organic matter.</p></abstract>

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on distribution and potential mobility of heavy metals in sediments of urban streams in Prague, Czech Republic. Contents of total and extractable heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni), mineralogical phases and other sediment properties were measured in 44 surficial sediment samples. Total metal concentrations were obtained after microwave-assisted digestion whilst extractable metal contents were obtained following a sequential extraction scheme (acid soluble, reducible, oxidisable and residual fraction). The multivariate statistics of cluster analysis was used to identify specific areas of contamination and to evaluate the impact of CSOs. The observed mobility order of metals was Cd > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cr. There was a considerable increase in Zn mobility and increase of Cu associated with the oxidisable fraction in the sediments below CSO discharges. Cd was revealed as the most mobile heavy metal with percentages of extraction of approximately 40-60% in acid soluble fraction. Pb was mainly found in reducible fraction associated with Fe/Mn (oxi)hydroxides, which is indicative of anthropogenic pollution. In terms of environmental significance, Cd and Zn can be particularly mobile and bioavailable under acidic conditions, because they are predominantly bound in labile fractions. However, potential changes of redox state and pH may remobilize the metals bound to carbonates, reducible, and/or organic matter.

Geochemical distribution and mobility of heavy metals in sediments of urban streams affected by combined sewer overflows

Institute of Hydrodynamics AS CR, v. v. i., Pod Patankou 5, 166 12 Prague 6, Czech Republic

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on distribution and potential mobility of heavy metals in sediments of urban...

Geochemical distribution and mobility of heavy metals in sediments of urban streams affected by combined sewer overflows

Published Online: Jun 16, 2011

Page range: 85 - 94

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-011-0007-7

Keywords
sedimenty, těžké kovy, městské toky, sekvenční extrakce, odlehčovací komory jednotné kanalizace

This content is open access.

Geochemical distribution and mobility of heavy metals in sediments of urban streams affected by combined sewer overflows

Published Online: Jun 16, 2011

Page range: 85 - 94

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-011-0007-7

Keywordssedimenty, těžké kovy, městské toky, sekvenční extrakce, odlehčovací komory jednotné kanalizace

This content is open access.

Keywords
sedimenty, těžké kovy, městské toky, sekvenční extrakce, odlehčovací komory jednotné kanalizace