The study attempts to compile and evaluate the status of metal pollution assessment through aquatic sediments in rivers and lakes. The introduction of metallic pollutants into a river, whether it is natural (erosion from its drainage basin) or artificial (anthropogenic), can occur in dissolved or particulate form.
Depending on physico-chemical conditions, the pollutants in dissolved form can later precipitate as hydroxides, carbonates or other minerals. They can also be adsorbed by the iron or manganese oxides and hydroxides or co-precipitate with these, or form dissolved organic or organic complexes. In particulate form, associated with suspended matter, the pollutant can, under favorable hydraulic conditions, be deposited on the bottom sediments.
Therefore, the study of the metallic pollutant concentrations in sediments can be conveniently used to investigate possible pollution. The contents are generally well above detection limits, which is not always the case in water. Furthermore, the analyses of sediments eliminate the problem of erratic fluctuations which is often observed in water.
The sediment existing at the bottom of the water body reflects the current quality of the water system and can be used to detect the presence of contamination. Moreover, sediments act as carriers and possible sources of pollution because heavy metals are not permanently fixed by them and can be released back to the water column by changes in environmental conditions.
Therefore, the analysis of heavy metals in sediments enables detection of pollution that could escape water analysis, and also provides information about the critical sites of the water system under consideration.
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