Assessment of contamination with heavy metals in the environment. Water, sediment and soil around Kosovo power plants

In Kosovo, the current production of electricity depends mainly on its generation, which is based on the burning of lignite in the power plants (Kosovo power plants A and B). Significant changes were found in the concentrations of heavy metals in various sediment, soil, and water sample locations. Physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and main ions (SO42-, PO43-, Cl-, NO3-, and NH4+) were monitored to obtain accurate and representative data. The study indicates that there is mild contamination from these elements in the river, however, to reach a clear conclusion, additional research should be done in the study area. The sampling took place over three months in 2018 (April, July and October). The data analysis revealed that the concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Fe, Ni, Cd, Mn, Al, Cu, and Cr in several examined samples exceeds the maximum permissible limits. Substantial levels of metal pollution in the samples collected in three distinct locations were found.