Metals distribution and particle size analysis in water and sediment of the djetinja river and Dragića spring (Serbia)

Abstract

This paper reports the results on total metal concentration (Al, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn) in water and sediment of the Djetinja river basin in the area of western Serbia. Samples were collected in spring season. Based on the comparison of the concentrations of all analyzed metals it is possible to differentiate two zones: zone I (sampling sites 1-4), affected by the discharge of the Dragića spring, and zone II (sites 5-8), affected by the confluence of the Dragića spring with the Djetinja river. The analysis of suspended solid particle size in water as well as in sediment samples was performed in size range 0.02-2000 μm and a positive corelation was found with the concentration of aluminium, zinc, iron and nickel in water samples. The study of particle size and metals distribution through the river basin of the Djetinja was a useful tool for getting information about the distribution degree of the polluting agents, and their possible evolution growth and pollution sources. The research of metals distribution and particle size analysis in water and sediment of the Djetinja river and Dragića spring (Serbia) was conducted for the first time.