Assessment of the potential ecological risk with heavy metals in surface s sediments from accumulation lakes on the sector inferior of the Olt River

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess the heavy metal pollution and potential ecological risk in surface sediments from accumulation lakes on the sector inferior of the Olt River: Govora, Babeni-Marcea, Zavideni, Dragasani and Strejesti. Heavy metals are among the most persistent of pollutants in the ecosystem such as water, sediments and biota because of their resistance to decomposition in natural condition. Accumulation of heavy metals in the environment results primarily from human activity. In addition, an important role in the "enrichment" heavy metal reservoirs they have natural processes, such as the disintegration of rocks and volcanic activities. Sediment is the ultimate destination for heavy metals discharged into the environment. The main aspects of the present work are to: determine to content and spatial distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cr, Hg) in surface sediments from accumulation lakes on the sector inferior of the Olt River

calculating the pollution load index (PLI), the Nemerow pollution index (PI) and potential ecological risk (RI) in order to evaluate the potential ecological risk.