ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION OF A LOCAL LAKE CHAIN AFFECTED BY WASTE-WATER BY MEANS OF SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYTICAL METHODS

Analytical strategy for clarification of an environmental pollution pr oblem is presented in a case study. An artificial lake chain created b y a rivulet running through the town of Godollo was investigated. Toda y it is supplied by cleaned wastewater from Godollo as well. The sedim ent was used as a cumulative indicator of pollution. It was shown that the application of limit values and standardized (or suggested) metho ds for analysis of wastewater sediment does not provide satisfactory i nformation on the environmental status of the lakes and on the environ mental hazards of pollution. For this purpose a was necessary to devel op a suitable sampling strategy that would allow determination of the spatial distribution of different elements (nutrients and heavy metals ) in the sediment layer. The estimation of total element concentration was made by dc-arc spectrography. The mobile element fraction was det ermined by means of 2 M HNO3 extraction and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The different radionuclides were detect ed by gamma spectroscopy. The influence of the Chernobyl reactor accid ent was detected in the upper 30-35 cm sediment layer; at the waste in lets, the radioactivity was near the tolerable limit values. The above complex analytical evaluation together with soil hygienic investigati ons has made it possible to prove the origin and level of pollution in the lakes. (C) 1998 Academic Press.