Analysis and assessment of heavy metal pollution in suspended solids and sediments of the river Danube

The Joint Danube Survey (JDS)––a comprehensive monitoring survey to assess the environmental pollution status of the river Danube––was carried out in 2001. Samples were taken at 74 positions along the river from Neu-Ulm (River-km 2589) down to the Danube Delta at the Black Sea (River-km 0) and in 24 main tributaries and anabranches. Besides other biological and chemical parameters, concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, and Zn were determined in sediments and suspended solids. Lowest heavy metal concentrations were measured around River-km 1800. After an increase down to River-km 1000 (the Irongate Reservoir), a constant level or a slight decrease could be found down to and in the Danube Delta. Very high element concentrations were determined at only a few stations of the river Danube and in some tributaries. An evaluation of the pollution status of the river was carried out by enrichment factors (EFs) calculated using adapted background concentrations of heavy metals. Except single sampling sites and some tributaries, the pollution of the river Danube by As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, and Zn can be regarded as rather low. However, elevated concentrations of Cd were found in both investigated matrices, particularly in the lower stretch of the river Danube beginning at the Irongate.