Evaluation of longitudinal and temporal differentiation in heavy metals concentrations as priority hazardous substances in the water of Moara Domneasca Lake

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD-2000/60/EC) was implemented in order to improve and protect water quality (for surface water, coastal water, and groundwater) and to prevent further deterioration across Europe by the year 2015. Also, this directive stipulated that Priority Hazardous Substances are a subset of Priority Substances considered extremely harmful. Heavy metals are listed in the first category as they may accumulate to very high toxic levels and cause severe impact on the aquatic organisms without any visible signs. During the period 2008-2010 National Research and Development Institute for Environmental Protection was involved in the project SAFAR. One of the main objectives of this project was the determination of heavy metals content (Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni) and risk assessment for water and sediments. Another objective of the project was to establish the variation of environmental factors in respect to the heavy metal content upstream and downstream from the Moara Domneasca Lake. This paper presents part of the most relevant results concerning the heavy metals content and the hazard of the heavy metals in the water samples. The results obtained were interpreted according with the Romanian quality standards Order 2006/161 and Governmental Decision 2010/1038 based on the 2008/105/EC Directive with the W.F.D. amendment.