Trace elements origin and fluxes in the Upper Váh River basin

Authors

Hissler C., Holko L., Danko M., Iffly J.F., Liová S.

Reference

Acta Hydrologica Slovaca, vol. 25, n° 2, pp. 156-167, 2024

Description

The study evaluates concentrations of trace metals, like Sr, Pb and Cd, and related rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in water samples collected at 9 sites in the Upper Váh River basin, Slovakia, during the low flow conditions in August 2017. Major ions, stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen and water conductivity were used in the hydrochemical evaluation as well. The results showed that water chemistry was driven by the two main lithologies (silicate and carbonate) that constitute the basin. An increase in trace elements concentrations from the headwater subcatchments of the Western Tatra Mountains toward sampling sites located in the Liptovská kotlina valley was also documented. The REY patterns identified three groups of sites including (1) pristine mountain part of the Jalovecký Creek (as a representative of the headwater areas of the Western Tatra Mountains), (2) large main tributaties of the Váh River and (3) outlet of the entire Jalovecký Creek (a representative of the entire catchment of small mountain tributaries of the Váh River). REY concentrations did not identify specific pollution impacts in the study area but the increase in Fe-and Al-based colloidal fractions and associated trace metals concentrations in the collected water samples could be associated to local human activities.

Link

doi:10.31577/ahs-2024-0025.02.0017