Distribution of traffic related elements in the Vistula and Odra Rivers, Poland

The aims of the study were to assess an environmental condition and observe changes of road specific elements in the Odra and Vistula River in Krakow, Warsaw as well as in Wroclaw and Opole – heavily congested Polish cities.... [ view full abstract ]

The aims of the study were to assess an environmental condition and observe changes of road specific elements in the Odra and Vistula River in Krakow, Warsaw as well as in Wroclaw and Opole – heavily congested Polish cities. The investigation were carried out in 2015 and 2016. Rivers were sampled in various seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. Results of ICP-MS revealed that rivers were contaminated especially with Zn, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe, Ba and Ce. The concentrations of the majority of these elements varied in the wide ranges and were significantly elevated when compared with the concentrations found in relatively traffic-unpolluted areas in the same cities. Additionally, considering the median values of the metal contents, the regional as well as seasonal differences are visible. According to LAWA classification, rivers water in selected research area of the Vistula and the Odra River are moderately to highly contaminated with heavy metals. Significantly elevated concentration of metals were found in Vistula River (Krakow) as well as in Wroclaw (Odra River). In order to ensure quality of the analytical results, reagent blanks and certified reference materials SRM 1643f were used.

Acknowledgments:
The research leading to these results has received funding from the Polish-Norwegian Research Programme operated by the National Centre for Research and Development under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 in the frame of Project Contract No Pol-Nor/208849/106/2015