engleski

Analysis of sediments of the four main rivers (Drini i Bardhë, Morava e Binçës, Lepenc and Sitnica) in Kosovo

Mineralogical, geochemical and contamination status of stream sediments of rivers Drini i Bardhë, Morava e Binçës, Lepenc and Sitnica, which are of supra-regional interest, are presented for the first time. From the results obtained by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) it was concluded that the sediments of Drini i Bardhë are weathering products of sandstones ; the sediments of Mo-rava e Binçës, Sitnica and of the upper stretch of Lepenc are weathering products of magmatic rocks and sand-stones ; the sediments of the lower stretch of Lepenc are weathering products of magmatic rocks, sandstones and carbonates. The concentration of major and minor ele-ments was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), the amounts of P and S by inductively coupled plasma in combination with optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES) and the amounts of Hg by cold vapor in combination with adsorption atomic spectroscopy (CV-AAS). Assessment of sediment contamination with toxic elements was performed in comparison with existing criteria for sediment quality. Results obtained by the box plot method showed anoma-lous regions in stream sediments of Kosovo. Two loca-tions in Sitnica River at Fushë Kosova (Kosovo Polje) and in Mitrovica are significantly polluted, originating from Zn and Pb ore processing and from Zn electrolysis. In the lower stretch of Morava River sediments are con-taminated with Cd. Increased concentrations of Mn were observed near the source of Drini i Bardhë, suggesting natural origin. A Continuation of sediment monitoring is recommended, particularly on Sitnica and Morava rivers, which flow through Serbia ultimately to the Black Sea.

rivers of Kosovo; stream sediments; chemical composition; geochemical anomalies; pollution assessment

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