Open AccessAquatic macrophytes as indicators of heavy metal pollution of water in DTD canal system
Author(s) -
P Slobodanka Pajevic,
S. Vučković,
Slavko Kevrešan,
N Milan Matavulj,
Branka Radulović,
V Dragan Radnovic
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
zbornik matice srpske za prirodne nauke
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0828
pISSN - 0352-4906
DOI - 10.2298/zmspn0304051p
Subject(s) - ceratophyllum demersum , macrophyte , biomonitoring , aquatic plant , environmental science , environmental chemistry , pollution , elodea canadensis , bioindicator , aquatic ecosystem , water quality , nutrient , littoral zone , hydrology (agriculture) , chemistry , ecology , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering
The aim of this investigation was to establish the presence or absence of chemical contamination of water and the littoral zone (banks) of Danube-Tisza-Danube (DTD) canal system. The investigation covered the canal section from Bezdan to Prigrevica. By analyzing the chemical composition of dominant aquatic species in four locations of the section, we defined the species with the highest capacity to accumulate nutrients and heavy metals. Concentrations of P and K as well as of a beneficial element Na in the tissues of the analyzed macrophytes were both species- and site-dependent. The highest accumulation was registered for Ceratophyllum demersum while the species Elodea canadensis showed increased P and K accumulation values in the location Sombor. The lowest concentrations of almost all heavy metals were recorded near Sombor, indicating that this section suffered the lowest chemical pollution. Highest concentrations of all of the analyzed heavy metals were recorded in the tissue of Ceratophyllum demersum from the location Prigrevica, possibly due to the influx of polluted drainage waters from surrounding agricultural areas as well as industrial wastewaters. The obtained results showed that the enforcement of biomonitoring and analyses of other parameters indicative of ecosystem conditions might be useful for improved protection of areas experiencing a strong human impact