Naslov (eng)

Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pollution in Danube River sediments across Serbia: sources and ecological risk

Autor

Nenin, Tanja
Perović, Marija
Vuković, Nebojša
Mitrović, Tatjana

Publisher

Opis (eng)

This study presents a 13-year (2012–2024) assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments from the Serbian Danube River (rkm 1112–864). A total of 132 sediment samples were collected during spring and autumn at seven sites, extracted via Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE), and analyzed by GC–MS. Total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs (Σ16PAHs) ranged from 33.4 to 1093.4 µg/kg in spring and 32.0–2747.4 µg/kg in autumn, with seasonal averages of 203–467 µg/kg and 269–561 µg/kg, respectively.Four-ring PAHs accounted for 49–81% of total PAHs, and carcinogenic PAHs contributed up to 61% of Σ16PAHs. The highest toxicity equivalent (TEQ) value of 458.3 µg TEQ/kg (S2, September 2016) remained below the Canadian guideline of 600 µg/kg. The sum of 10 PAHs was predominantly below or near the Serbian target value of 1 mg/kg, with autumn exceedances observed at S1 (1260 µg/kg) and S2 (2317 µg/kg). However, all values remained well below the maximum permissible limit of 10 mg/kg. Diagnostic ratios (BaA/(BaA + Chr), Flu/(Flu + Pyr), LMW/HMW) and the dominance of high-molecular-weight PAHs indicate predominantly pyrolytic sources, mainly coal and biomass combustion. TEQ values declined after 2019, suggesting reduced emissions. Overall, sediments are classified as low to moderately contaminated, with low to moderate ecological risks. This study provides updated long-term data for the central Serbian section of the Danube River, addressing a knowledge gap resulting from the limited temporal and spatial coverage of previous PAH studies, and highlights the importance of systematic monitoring and assessment of individual PAH distributions to evaluate trends and ecological risks.

Jezik

engleski

Datum

2026

Licenca

© All rights reserved

Predmet

PAHs, Danube River, Sediments, Long-term monitoring, Source apportionment, Ecological risk assessment

Deo kolekcije (1)

o:243

Institut za vodoprivredu "Jaroslav Černi"