Trace metals and organic compounds in sediment samples from the River Danube in Russe and Lake Srebarna (Bulgaria)

In 1995 the contamination status of accumulated fine surface sediments and effluent material from the River Danube in Russe (Bulgaria) was analysed fo r trace metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, As), polycyclic aromatic hydroc arbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 1,1 ,1-trichloro-2,2-bis [chlorophenyl] thane (DDT), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis [chlo rophenyl] ethylene (DDE), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis [chlorophenyl] ethane (DDD), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-HCH) to achiev e basic information about the River Danube in Bulgaria. The range of trace- metal levels came close to ro below the intended quality criteria for the R iver Elbe in Germany. The only exceptions were Pb in a shipyard, exceeding the final criteria by a factor of 17, and Cr downflow from a metal factory. In one sample from a shipyard (D8) the highest trace metal concentrations were analysed in the fraction 125-2000 mu m. The maximum measured PAH conte nts exhibited a contamination on the lower mu g g(-1) d.w.-level (dry weigh t base), traces of PCBs, HCB and DDD/DDE were analysed in the ng g(-1) d.w. -range. DDT and HCHs were not detected in any sample. The trace-metal and o rganic-compounds level in sediments from Lake Srebarna (UNESCO-Biosphere Re serve) displayed completely background character.