Multiparameter assessment of select metal distribution in lacustrine sediments
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SEDIMENTS, SEC 1 • SEDIMENT QUALITY AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT • RESEARCH ARTICLE
Multiparameter assessment of select metal distribution in lacustrine sediments Urszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak 1
&
Anna Kostka 1 & Andrzej Leśniak 2
Received: 28 February 2020 / Accepted: 19 July 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Purpose The main objective of the study was the determination of the Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn distribution in Wigry Lake sediments, as well as the contamination and ecotoxicological risk assessment on the basis of a large data set. Materials and methods Select metal concentrations were determined via AAS or ICP-MS. Contamination assessment was achieved via the implementation of different geochemical background values, selected pollution indices, and by way of comparison with the limit values of the sediment quality guidelines and supported by cartographic methods. Results and discussion Metal concentrations presented in the paper were associated with a specific type of sediment and sedimentation environment. The highest concentrations of metals were found in the fluvial-lacustrine sediment covering the bottom of the bay of eutrophic character. The lowest amounts were found in the lacustrine chalk and clastic sediment present in the littoral parts of the lake, while profundal sediments were more enriched with metals. Studies revealed that the examined metals have mostly natural, but also anthropogenic origin. The assessment of lake sediments, with the use of geochemical background values and different indices, yielded highly diversified results associated with the variability of background values applied in the study. However, ultimately, the Wigry Lake sediments were found to be only slightly contaminated with Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn, while Pb concentrations were considered to be more disturbing. The potential ecotoxicological risk was assessed as low. Conclusions Particular attention in this study was paid to the significance of the geochemical background values adopted for calculations, which, in the case of Wigry Lake, gave very divergent results. A uniquely large data set facilitated the performance of a thorough analysis of metal distributions in recent lacustrine sediments and highlighted the necessity of using integrated approaches in aquatic ecosystem studies. Keywords Surface sediment . Contamination assessment . Geochemical background . Wigry Lake
1 Introduction Aquatic sediments are a very important part of water ecosystems. They play a significant role in the circulation of elements between various components of water and ground Responsible editor: Tomas Matys Grygar * Urszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak [email protected] 1
Department of Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
2
Department of Geoinformatics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
systems. They can also act as a natural filter and indicator of the environmental degradation degree (Burton et al.
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