Actual contamination of the Danube and Sava rivers at Belgrade (2013)

Abstract

This study was focussed on a comprehensive investigation on the state of pollution of the Danube and Sava Rivers in the region of Belgrade. Different complementary analytical approaches were employed covering both i) organic contaminants in the river water by target analyses of hormones and neonicotinoids as well as non-target screening analyses and ii) heavy metals in the sediments. Finally, some common water quality parameters were analysed. The overall state of pollution is on a moderate level. Bulk parameters did not reveal any unusual observations. Moreover, quantification of preselected organic contaminants did not indicate to elevated pollution. More significant contaminations were registered for chromium, nickel, zinc and partially copper in sediments with values above the target values according to Serbian regulations. Lastly, non-target screening analysis revealed a wider spectrum of organic contaminants comprising pharmaceuticals, technical additives, personal care products and pesticides. The study presented a comprehensive view on the state of pollution of the Sava and Danube Rivers and is the base for setting up further monitoring programs. As a superior outcome, it was illustrated how different chemical analyses can result in different assessments of the river quality. A

Organic Pollution of Water and Human Health

“…For quantification purposes, calibration curves in the range from 0.1 to 100 mg/l were prepared. The LOD value for all the analysed neonicotinoids was 0.5 mg/l [17].…”

“…The limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.03 to 0.5 ng/l and the limit of detection (LOD) was between 0.01 and 0.15 ng/l. The recoveries obtained for all target compounds, evaluated by using spiked real samples, were higher than 70% [17]. Then pesticides-neonicotinoids were analysed.…”

“…Water samples were taken during two different sampling campaigns in January and February 2013 at five sampling locations along the Danube and the Sava Rivers in Serbia as presented on the map on figure 1 [17]. [17].…”

“…The studies included basic physical and chemical parameters of water, inorganic water pollutants (such as carbon and nitrogen compounds), hard metals in sediments, eco toxicological tests, target analysis of organic pollution in water (such as hormones or neonicotinoids) and nontarget analysis, which revealed wider spectrum of organic pollution including: pharmaceuticals, technical additives, plasticisers, personal care products, pesticides and residues of their degradation. The study, through identification and determination of traces of unknown organic compounds in the water presented a comprehensive view on the state of pollution of the Sava and Danube Rivers and became the base for setting up further monitoring programs [17].…”

“…Extract was evaporated to dryness under gentle stream of nitrogen and reconstituted in small volume (100 μl) of methanol. This solution was filtered using LUT Syringe Filters PTFE, 13 mm, 0.45 μm [17]. The isolates received were analysed with HPLC-ESI-MS. An Agilent 1100 HPLC system with an Agilent 6320 spherical ion trap mass spectrometer and electrospray ionization was used.…”