Assessment of lake bottom sediment pollution by lead and cadmium

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to investigate the relationship between physico-chemical parameters, and to determine levels of certain heavy metals (Pb and Cd) in bottom sediments of Lake Sudotėlis in Lithuania. Organic matter (OM) content and pH were measured. Both positive and negative correlations were detected between the lake bottom sediment content and physical-chemical parameters. The pH of the sediment in all sites was slightly alkaline, e.g. from 7.76±0.02 to 8.21±0.02. Quantity of organic matter in bottom sediments was 10.37±0.30 to 76.50±1.6%. The metals concentrations (in mg/kg of dry weight) ranged 0.42±0.02 to 12.73±0.60 for Pb, and 0.02±0.004 to 6.89±0.33 for Cd.