Pollution indicators of heavy metals in the sediments of the Lepenc River in Kosovo

The sediments of the Lepenc River in Kosovo have been investigated, by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The concentrations of such metals as As, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn and Zr were analyzed in six different locations. The most of metals analyzed had median values higher than those in European steam sediment. Basic statistics, Pearson’s correlation and cluster analysis were performed to better explain the data of metal concentrations in the river sediments. Four groups of elements were identified by cluster analysis based on their geogenic or anthro-pogenic origin. The sediments were mostly contaminated with potentially toxic elements (As, Cr, Cu and Ni). The contamination factors (CF) for different metals and locations ranged from 1.8 to 5.33, and the pollution load index (PLI) from 2.42 to 3.09. Nickel and chromium contributed the most to sediment pollution, and their geoaccumulation indices (Igeo) in all locations were higher than 1. The most polluted sediment samples were in two locations, in the vicinity of a nickel mine and a cement factory.

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