Preliminary Analysis of Heavy Metal Content in the River Bosnia Upstream and Downstream from the Industrial Plants in Zenica and Pollution Assessment

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an analysis of monthly average contents of ten heavy metals in the flow of the river Bosna. The amount of toxic heavy metals, Pb, As, Cd, Hg and in addition, potentially harmful metals such as Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe was determined in order to assess the influence of industry in Zenica on the quality of the river Bosna. Samples were collected during the period of three months: November of 2010, January and February of 2011, during the normal water level of river Bosna. The sampling sites were chosen upstream and downstream from the industrial plants in Zenica with the aim of determining the influence of industrial complexes, mainly ArcelorMittal Zenica, on the quality of the water in river Bosna. The rating of the level of pollution in the river Bosna is based on the comparison of concentrations of heavy metals from the results of the analysis with the highest allowable concentrations of heavy metals by individual classes of water, MRL. The results showed that the industrial waste in Zenica has no significant influence on increase of heavy metals' concentrations in river Bosna above the maximum allowable concentration for waters of I and II classes. The results showed increased mercury content in the river Bosna, not only in the downstream flow from the industrial complex in Zenica but also from the above of mentioned plants.