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<p>Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by potentially toxic elements, including heavy metals and metalloid (HMs), is a persistent environmental concern due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Regulated rivers with large dam systems are particularly vulnerable because altered hydrodynamics and sediment retention promote pollutant accumulation. Here, we present a first 23-year integrated dataset (2001–2023) assessment of HMs in surface sediments of the Serbian Danube River based on 620 samples collected at ten profiles from Novi Sad to Kusjak. Concentrations of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, As and Cd were determined, and contamination was evaluated using the geoaccumulation index (<i>Igeo</i>), enrichment factor (<i>EF</i>), pollution load index (<i>PLI</i>), SQGs and toxic risk index (<i>TRI</i>). To move beyond routine monitoring, site-specific background values for each element were derived statistically, variability was quantified by coefficients of variation (<i>CV</i>), and multivariate analysis (PCA) was applied to identify geochemical patterns and distinct element behavior. Most HMs showed low to moderate levels, with localized hotspots. <i>Igeo</i> and <i>EF</i> indicated As and Cd as the most critical elements, ranging from unpolluted to locally heavily polluted conditions, whereas Cu, Zn, and Cr generally indicated moderate contamination. <i>PLI</i> and <i>TRI</i> exhibited the highest values in downstream Iron Gate Reservoir profiles highlighting dam-driven sediment trapping. Upstream profiles showed improving temporal trends, likely associated with reduced local anthropogenic inputs, whereas downstream reservoir profiles remained stable or slightly deteriorated due to dam-induced sediment trapping and long-term accumulation of contaminants.</p>

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Spatiotemporal variability of heavy metals and metalloid contamination in Danube River sediments (Serbia) based on 23-year integrated monitoring

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月28日

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  • Tatjana Mitrović,
  • Marija Perović,
  • Darija Obradović,
  • Anđelka Petković,
  • Jasna Čolić,
  • Tanja Nenin,
  • Saša Lazović

摘要

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by potentially toxic elements, including heavy metals and metalloid (HMs), is a persistent environmental concern due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Regulated rivers with large dam systems are particularly vulnerable because altered hydrodynamics and sediment retention promote pollutant accumulation. Here, we present a first 23-year integrated dataset (2001–2023) assessment of HMs in surface sediments of the Serbian Danube River based on 620 samples collected at ten profiles from Novi Sad to Kusjak. Concentrations of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, As and Cd were determined, and contamination was evaluated using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution load index (PLI), SQGs and toxic risk index (TRI). To move beyond routine monitoring, site-specific background values for each element were derived statistically, variability was quantified by coefficients of variation (CV), and multivariate analysis (PCA) was applied to identify geochemical patterns and distinct element behavior. Most HMs showed low to moderate levels, with localized hotspots. Igeo and EF indicated As and Cd as the most critical elements, ranging from unpolluted to locally heavily polluted conditions, whereas Cu, Zn, and Cr generally indicated moderate contamination. PLI and TRI exhibited the highest values in downstream Iron Gate Reservoir profiles highlighting dam-driven sediment trapping. Upstream profiles showed improving temporal trends, likely associated with reduced local anthropogenic inputs, whereas downstream reservoir profiles remained stable or slightly deteriorated due to dam-induced sediment trapping and long-term accumulation of contaminants.