Abstract
Total concentrations of 13 elements (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Pb) in the size-fractionated Sava River sediments upstream and downstream of the Krsko nuclear power plant together with metal speciation within bulk sediment have been investigated. Trace metals generally increase with decreasing particle size, however, because of entrapment of organic matter in the 0.63–1 mm fraction, concentrations in the coarser sediment fraction are higher than expected. Exchangeable Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr and Fe are generally found to represent a negligible fraction of the total metal concentration of the bulk sediment. Seasonal variations of the Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations in the <0.5 mm fraction reflect decreased values during the spring period. Heavy metal concentrations in the 2003 waste water discharges from the Krsko nuclear power plant released into the Sava River were much lower than their maximum allowed values. Combined rubidium and organic matter normalization of the Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations, which was applied on the minus 0.063 mm fraction, indicated three potential sources of contaminants.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adriano DC (1986) Trace elements in the terrestrial environment. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Brook EJ, Moore JN (1988) Particle-size and chemical control of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in bed sediment from the Clark Fork River, Montana (U.S.A.). Sci Tot Environ 76:247–266
Buser S, Ramovs A, Drovenik M, Plenicar M (1989) Geological setting of Slovenia. In: Encyclopedia of Slovenia, 3rd edn. Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, pp 195–203
Chao TT (1984) Use of partial dissolution techniques in geochemical exploration. J Geochem Explor 20:101–135
Daskalakis KD, O’Connor TP (1995) Normalization and elemental sediment contamination in the coastal United States. Environ Sci Technol 29:470–477
Förstner U, Wittmann GTW (1979) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Gibbs RJ (1977) Transport phases of transition metals in the Amazon and Yukon Rivers. Geol Soc Am Bull 88:829–843
Graf WL, Clark SL, Kammerer MT, Lehman T, Randall K, Schroeder R (1991) Geomorphology of heavy metals in the sediments of Queen Creek, Arizona, USA. Catena 18:567–582
Halamic J, Peh Z, Bukovec D, Miko S, Galovic L (2001) A factor model of the relationship between stream sediment geochemistry and adjacent drainage basin lithology, Medvednica Mt., Croatia. Geol Croat 54:37–51
Hall GEM (1998) Analytical perspective on trace element species of interest in exploration. J Geochem Explor 61:1–19
Hanson PJ, Evans DW, Colby DR, Zdanowicz VS (1993) Assessment of elemental contamination in estuarine and coastal environments based on geochemical and statistical modeling of sediments. Mar Environ Res 36(4):237–266
Ladd SC, Marcus WA, Cherry S (1998) Differences in trace metal concentrations among fluvial morphologic units and implications for sampling. Environ Geol 36:259–270
Macklin MG (1996) Fluxes and storage of sediment-associated heavy metals in floodplain systems: assessment and river basin management issues at a time of rapid environmental change. In: Anderson MG, Walling DE, Bates PD (eds) Floodplain processes. Wiley, New York, pp 441–460
Orescanin V, Nad K, Valkovic V, Mikulic N, Mestrovic O (2001) Red mud and waste base: Raw materials for Coagulant Production. J Trace Microprobe Tech 19(3):419–428
Orescanin V, Mikulic N, Obhodas J, Nad K, Valkovic V (2002) Distribution of trace elements in the coastal sea sediments: Punat bay in the Northern Adriatic. J Trace Microprobe Tech 20(2):247–260
Rose AW, Hawkes HE, Webb JS (1979) Geochemistry in mineral exploration, 2nd edn. Academic Press, New York
Salomons W, Förstner U (1984) Metals in the hydrocycle. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Sikic K, Basch O, Simunic A (1979) Geology of Zagreb Sheet. Basic geological map of Yugoslavia, 1:100000. Institute of Geology, Zagreb, Beograd (Federal institute of Geology) (in Croat., Engl. Summary)
Simunic A, Basch O (1975) Stratigraphy of Quaternary sediments of the Sava plain in the Zagreb region. Geol Vjes 28:153–164
Stern J, Förstner U (1975–76) Heavy metals distribution in the sediment of the Sava Basin in Slovenia. Geologija 19:259–274
Tessier A, Campbell PGC, Bisson M (1979) Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Anal Chem 51:844–851
Thornton I (1995) Metals in the global environment: facts and misconceptions, 1st edn. The International Council on Metals and the Environment, Ottawa
Velic J, Saftic B (1991) Subsurface spreading and facies characteristics of middle Pleistocene deposits between Zapresic and Samobor. Geol Vjes 44:69–82
Walling DE, Owens PN, Carter J, Leeks GJL, Lewis S, Meharg AA, Wright J (2003) Storage of sediment-associated nutrients and contaminants in river channel and floodplain systems. Appl Geochem 18:195–220
Williamson RB, Hume TM, Molkrijnen JA (1994) Comparison of the early diagenetic environment in intertidal sands and muds of the Manukau harbor, New Zealand. Environ Geol 24(4):254–266
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orescanin, V., Lulic, S., Pavlovic, G. et al. Granulometric and chemical composition of the Sava River sediments upstream and downstream of the Krsko nuclear power plant. Env Geol 46, 605–614 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1066-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1066-4