Vaidotas Valskys , Gytautas Ignatavičius , Marina Valentukevičienė

The Analysis of Sediments Contamination with Heavy Metals after Hydro-mechanical Treatment in the Southern Part of Lake Babrukas

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Abstract

Analytical method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and specifically Niton XL2 device for analysis of bottom sediments of lake Babrukas is analyzed in the article. The reliability of the method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for analysis of heavy metals is compared with atomic absorption spectrometry. Results of this method show a very impressive correlation of atomic absorption method. Quality parameters – concentrations of heavy metals in sediments are analyzed. Results of the analysis are overviewed and compared with concentrations of heavy metals in relevant legal documents in Lithuania. It is concluded that the X-ray method gives important and reliable information of anthropogenic impacts for lake ecosystems and human health. The assessment of heavy metals in bottom sediments with X-ray fluorescence method is much quicker and cheaper, thus it gives the opportunity to analyze more samples and more properly assess distribution of pollutants in the lake sediments. The largest technogenic origins of heavy metals concentrations where determined. Geostatistical analysis shows the distribution of concentrations of heavy metals in surface and subsurface layer. The interpolated concentrations of heavy metals are given in maps using Golden Software Surfer computer program. It perfectly shows the distribution and concentrations of heavy metals in surface and subsurface layers after hydro-mechanical treatment. It appears that concentrations of heavy metals in surface layer are still much higher than in subsurface after the hydro-mechanical treatment. After the detailed lake sediment studies the extent of anthropogenic impact which can be harmful to the lake ecosystem and human health is assessed. Most importantly it can give significant information about the centers of contamination and thus specify locations where hydro-mechanical treatment should be concentrated.

Keywords:X-ray fluorescence spectrometry; heavy metals; hydromechanical treatment.