First International Conference on MOLDAVIAN RISKS – FROM ...

<strong>First</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on MOLDAVIAN RISKS - FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL SCALE
16-19 May 2012, Bacau, Romania
STUDIES AND RESEARCH ON THE DETERMINATION OF
HEAVY METALS FROM THE BANKS OF THE
SIRET RIVER BASIN
Cristian Radu 1 , Valentin Nedeff 2 , Narcis Barsan 2 , Anca Dumitrescu 3
1 “Romanian Waters” National Administration Siret Branch
2 “Vasile Alecsandri" University of Bacau, Department of Environmental Engineering and
Mechanical Engineering
3 “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi
Corresponding author: Radu Cristian, cristofor_radu@yahoo.com
Abstract: By its characteristics, the soil is the main “reservoir” of most substances with
pollution risk. Soil pollution can be produced by a number of substances which have a
disruptive action for a shorter or long time. Pollution with effects on long period of time is
known as residual pollution. It concerns at period in which harmful substances remain
(persist) in soil degrading him to clean up and restoring are impossible. Depending on
extend, residual pollution may influence the natural cycles, dynamics and composition of
the hydrosphere and atmosphere, biosphere etc., with major socio-economic implications.
The substances with the highest risk of residual pollution for all environmental factors and
population are heavy metals. In Romania, the residual effect of pollution with heavy metals
is a major environmental problem. This is due to economic activities which were
conducted and/or carried out. For monitoring environmental quality and the content of
heavy metals have developed a number of methods based on sampling techniques, sample
preparation and analysis. Because the human settlements and the main economic activities
are developed mainly on a watercourse, this paper analyzes the content of heavy metals
from alluvial sediment and banks Siret Basin respectively. Sediments are known as
”reservoirs” of elements in aquatic systems and is recognized as one of the largest sources
of pollution. Sediments accumulate different types of pollutants. By analyzing of
sediments can obtain information about various transport phenomena, transformation and
recovery of pollutants. Also, analysis of sediments can be a means to achieve
reconstruction of historical changes (natural or anthropogenic) that have occurred over the
time and understanding anthropogenic impact on natural ecosystems. Research focused on
certain sections (points) of monitoring from Siret River Basin. These sections were chosen
taking into account of the number and importance of pollution points (economic activities
and urban agglomerations).
Key words: soil pollution, residual pollution, sediment, heavy metals.
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