Evaluation of mercury pollution in Olt River basin induced by historical and current pollution sources

Abstract

This paper aims at establishing the historical and current sources of mercury pollution, for monitoring mercury dispersion in Olt River Basin ecosystems (B.H.Olt) and development of the quality of aquatic ecosystems upstream and downstream of pollution sources investigated. For this, samples water and sediment from spring B.H.Olt (Balan) and until it flows into the Danube, upstream and downstream of pollution sources and soil samples from industrial sites in B.H.Olt vicinity, were collected. The degree of pollution with mercury was established and mercury pollution on ecosystems soil, water and sediment from B.H.Olt was evaluated by comparing the determined values during the investigation period, with the legislation.