Analysis of heavy metal sources for urban creeks in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a field study conducted on the sediments of two of the main small urban creeks of the city of Prague (Czech Republic), in order to verify the presence and bioavailability of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) in aquatic environment (water as well as sediments), and to assess the source of these pollutants. Obtained results are processed to evaluate the enrichment factor and the partition coefficient, and are statistically analyzed through the analysis of variance and the principal component analysis. Compared to chosen Environmental quality standards, studied heavy metals concentrations in the sediments is always lower than the PEC (Probable effect concentration). On the contrary the TEC (Threshold effect concentration) is frequently exceeded. According to the results of the sequential extraction analysis the bioavailability of studied metals is quite high and therefore there is the possibility of release of heavy metals from the sediment to the surrounding environment. In overall, several sources of pollution, different for the different metals, have been identified, including all related with anthropogenic factors.