ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Distribution of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the
Nemunas River (Lithuania)
J. Kruopiene
More details
Hide details
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, K.Donelaičio g. 20, LT 44239 Kaunas, Lithuania
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2007;16(5):715-722
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The distribution of heavy metals in sediments of the Nemunas river have been investigated. The most
obvious anthropogenic impact has been observed in the middle part of the river. Nevertheless, sediment
metal concentrations are within the limits of global, regional and local concentration levels.
Particular attention has been paid to the Kaunas Reservoir. Although it is a part of the river, sediment
characteristics, including metal distribution, have been found to follow the bottom dynamic zones, as in
lakes. Metal concentrations in the Kaunas Reservoir are close to the concentrations in the upstream part of
the Nemunas river, without indicating increased contamination with metals due to the lower flow velocity.
An unusual Fe/Mn ratio is characteristic to the Reservoir. Fe concentrations confirm the occurrence of anoxic
hypolimnion, whereas Mn concentrations indicate the possibility of Mn transport from the nearshore
sediments to the deepest places.