Analytical Studies on the Pollution of Arges River

Abstract

The Arges River arises from the ice lake Capra, which is situated in the Fagaras mountains, and is flows into the Danube River near Oltenita city. During this “trip” it collects, more or less cleaned, industrial or home-originated wastewater and other waste materials. Some of these are deposited on the river bed, others are transported downstream by water or fish. Among antropogenic compounds, heavy metal ions may be the most harmful pollutants. While many other compounds are more or less biodegradable, heavy metal ions could be retained in the ecosystem, indefinitely. The water samples were collected between Cumpana and Oltenita from 12 sites placed in the middle of the stream. Heavy metal ions concentration in the samples were quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The values were compared with Anodic Stripping Voltammetry delivered results (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb), which provided a good agreement. The values determined within our work represent singular cases. Considering the obtained values for the water elements — loading related to reference limit values, the Arges River is, with few exceptions, a clean river.

Keywords:

• environmental analysis
• metal ions
• water