Bertáné Szabó, Emese

Boros, Norbert

Győri, Zoltán

Sipos, Péter

EURASIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE (EJSS)

University of Debrecen Electronic Archive

 Z. Győri et al. / Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 2 (2013) 7 – 11 
 
7 
 
 
 
 
Long term effect of metal pollution in the catchment area of 
Tisza River 
 
Zoltán Győri a,*, Norbert Borosb, Emese Bertáné Szabóa, Péter Siposb 
 
a Univerity of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Food 
Science, Quality Assurance and Microbiology, 138Böszörményi street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary 
b Univerity of Debrecen, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Debrecen, 2-4 Ótemető 
street,4028, Debrecen, Hungary 
 
 Abstract 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Article Info 
 
Received : 12.02.2011 
Accepted : 01.11.2012 
In January and March 2000 two tailings dam failures occurred in the upper Tisza catchment area 
near Baia Mare and Baia Borsa (Romania). These accidents focused attention on the metal 
pollution of the Tisza catchment area, and the short term effects of them were studied by many 
researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term effects of these pollutions by 
determining the Lakanen-Erviö extractable easily available metal contents of samples collected 
in 2011 from floodplains and pastures along the Tisza (Tivadar, Vásárosnamény, Rakamaz, 
Tiszacsege), and comparing them to our earlier results. Cu and Zn contents were measured by 
Optima 3300 DV ICP-OES (Perkin-Elmer). The measurement of Pb and Cd was conducted by QZ 
939 GF-AAS (Unicam) in 2000 and by an X7 ICP-MS (Thermo Fisher) in 2011.  
We found that the Cd, Zn and Pb contents of the pasture near Vásárosnamény exceed limit values 
and natural background values. In addition, during a 11 year period the easily available Cd, Zn 
and Pb contents increased significantly, suggesting that the hazard of this pollution should not be 
neglected. 
 
 Keywords: Tisza River, heavy metal pollution, Lakanen-Erviö extraction 
 
© 2013 Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies. All rights reserved  
Introduction 
The Hungarian section of the Tisza River is highly influenced by metal pollution sourced from mining activity 
in Romania. Mining in Maramures County (former Máramaros) traditionally exploits host ores of base 
metals (Cu, Zn and Pb) and precious metals (Au and Ag). Besides, metal pollution has also a long history in 
the upper Tisza catchment (Nguyen et al., 2009). Nowadays the processing of old tailings pond material by 
using cyanide to recover Ag and Au is spreading in this region. Mining activities that use dangerous and toxic 
chemicals such as cyanide can be serious sources of contamination. Besides, wastewater may contain heavy 
metals associated with fine-grained sediments. However, metal concentration of river water is not 
remarkable 30 km downstream from the point sources (Macklin et al., 2003), sediment-associated metals 
are dispersed much greater distances.  
In January and March 2000 two tailings dam failures occurred in Baia Mare (Nagybánya) and Baia Borsa 
(Borsabánya) and resulted cyanide and metal pollution in the Lápos - Szamos - Tisza and metal pollution in 
the Visó - Tisza river systems, respectively (UNEP, 2000). The short term effects of the pollution events were 
studied by many researchers, and water and sediment of the Lápos-Szamos-Tisza and Visó-Tisza river 
                                                          
* Corresponding author.  
Univerity of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Food Science, Quality 
Assurance and Microbiology, 138Böszörményi street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary 
Tel.: +36(52) 417-572                                               E-mail address: gyori@agr.unideb.hu 
ISSN: 2147-4249 
 Z. Győri et al. / Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 2 (2013) 7 – 11 
 
8 
 
systems were found to be contaminated by Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd  (Bird et al., 2003; Brewer et al. 2003; Győri et 
al., 2003a, Macklin et al. 2003; Osán et al., 2002; Wehland et al., 2002).  
The mining accidents were followed by floods; therefore the metal pollution of the floodplains were also 
observable (Kraft et al., 2006; Győri et al., 2003b). Deposition of contaminated sediment on floodplains 
during flood events and the mobilization of the pollutants may increase the plant available metal content of 
the upper soil layer.  
The mobility and phytoavailability of metals depend on their chemical forms (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, 
2001). Hence, the river sediment was measured by sequential extraction procedures (SEP). Bird et al. (2003) 
by the BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) SEP found that a remarkable rate of Cd and Zn contents of 
polluted sediments (Lápos, Szamos and Tisza Rivers) were in exchangeable form. Sulfide fraction of Cu and 
Zn were significant in the Lápos River but this phase decreased by the increasing distance from the source of 
pollutants. Non-destructive speciation of metals showed that high amounts of Zn and Cu contents of 
sediment particles and suspended particles from the main bed of the Tisza near to Tivadar exist in sulfide 
form (Osán et al., 2002). Kraft et al. (2006) found that by SEP in the floodplains of the Szamos and upper 
Tisza, Cd and Zn could be found in an easily available form. 
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term effects of these pollutions on the phytoavailable metal 
content of soils by Lakanen-Erviö extraction of samples collected in 2011 from floodplains and pastures 
along the Tisza (Tivadar, Vásárosnamény, Rakamaz, Tiszacsege), and comparing these results to our earlier 
ones. 
Materials and Method 
Soil samples were collected in April 2011 by deep drilling with a Nordmeyer drill (Nordmeyer Holland, 
Overveen, The Netherlands). We sampled the 300 cm deep soil layer in three replications. Sampling sites are 
represented in Table 1.  
Table 1. Sampling sites  
Sampling sites Geographical 
coordinates 
River km Type of samples Additional information 
Tivadar 
N 48o 04' 00.6'' 
E 22o 31' 04.8'' 
709 active floodplain affected by the 2nd pollution event 
Vásárosnamény 
N 48o 07' 46.5'' 
E 22o 19' 39.5'' 
683 pasture 
affected by the 1st and 2nd pollution 
events 
Rakamaz 
N 48o 07' 43.8'' 
E 21o 26' 28.7'' 
543 pasture 
affected by the 1st and 2nd pollution 
events 
Tiszacsege N 47o 42' 59.9'' 
E 20o 57' 08.7'' 
455 active floodplain 
affected by the 1st and 2nd pollution 
events 8 years ago the area was refilled 
with soil  
 
Soil samples were air dried and sieved (<2mm) for further analysis. The extraction of the easily available 
metal content was conducted according to Lakanen and Erviö (1871). Cu, Zn contents were measured by an 
Optima 3300 DV ICP-OES (Perkin-Elmer). The measurement of Pb and Cd was conducted by a QZ 939 GF-
AAS (Unicam) in 2000 and by an X7 ICP-MS (Thermo Fisher) in 2011. 
All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS (version 13). Significant differences between the metal 
contents of the soils in 2000 and 2011 were examined by nonparametric, two related samples test (Wilcoxon 
test). 
 
Results  
Lakanen-Erviö extractable Zn, Pb and Cu contents of the studied soils (100 cm deep soil profile) and the limit 
values (Kádár, 1998) are presented in Figure 1. According to the easily mobilizable metal contents the 
Tivadar floodplain considered to be unpolluted. The Zn contents of Vásárosnamény, Rakamaz and 
Tiszacsege and the Pb content of Vásárosnamény exceed the limit values. Cd contents of the sampling sites 
(Figure 2) were remarkable in Vásárosnamény, Rakamaz and Tiszacsege. The average Cd content of 
unpolluted reference soils (Meers et al., 2007) is also presented in Figure 2. The Cd content of 
Vásárosnamény was nearly 6 times higher than that of unpolluted soils. 
 
 
 Z. Győri et al. / Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 2 (2013) 7 – 11 
 
9 
 
 
Figure 1. Available Zn, Pb and Cu contents (mg kg-1) of the 1 m deep soil profile (2011) 
*Proposed temporary limit value of available metal content for soil (Kádár, 1998) 
 
 
Figure 2. Box-plot of Cd contents (mg kg-1) of the 1 m deep soil profile. Cd level (mg kg-1) in unpolluted reference soils is 
indicated according to Meers et al. (2007) (0.26 ± 0.04 in soils with pH≤7 and 0.25 ± 0.10 in soils with pH≥7) 
* extreme outlier  ° outlier 
 
Our results proved that the pasture near Vásárosnamény is significantly polluted with Zn, Cd and Pb. Hence, 
we compared the metal contents of the 300 cm deep soil profile to our earlier results (Győri et al., 2003b) 
(Table 2).  
 
Table 2. Changing of the Lakanen-Erviö extractable metal content of the 300 cm deep soil layer of a pasture near 
Vásárosnamény (2000 and 2011) 
Year 2000 2011 
Depth (cm) Zn Cd Pb Zn Cd Pb 
0-10 60 0.75 42 106 1.79 47 
10-30 37 0.58 30 72 1.56 42 
30-50 34 0.48 28 68 1.38 44 
50-70 31 0.45 30 53 1.13 36 
70-90 41 0.59 41 68 1.32 51 
90-110 40 0.53 38 80 1.42 61 
110-140 34 0.39 26 71 1.31 48 
140-170 26 0.22 15 43 0.66 12 
170-200 19 0.04 7 35 0.48 10 
200-230 26 0.20 15 42 0.53 11 
230-260 28 0.25 18 80 1.36 38 
260-300 17 0.08 11 30 0.56 14 
0 20 40 60 80 100 
Tivadar 
Vásárosnamény 
Rakamaz 
Tiszacsege 
limit value* 
Metal content (mg kg-1) 
Sampling sites 
Zn 
Pb 
Cu 
 Z. Győri et al. / Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 2 (2013) 7 – 11 
 
10 
 
 
Significant increases were observable (P≤0.05) in the case of Zn, Cd and Pb contents. The increase is 
remarkable in the upper 150 cm. A second peak is observable in the curves in 250 cm depth that may refer 
to a previous major pollution event. 
Discussion  
Our results proved that the sampling sites affected by the first pollution event (Baia Mare, January 2000) are 
significantly polluted. Zn, Pb and Cd contents of Vásárosnamény, Rakamaz and Tiszacsege were remarkable. 
Farsang et al. (2009) studied the health risk of metals in the topsoil of a Fluvisol soil (pHH2O 7.7, loamy 
texture) located near the River Tisza. They found moderate risk (if the proportion of vegetables grown in the 
studied soil is extremely increased in the consumption) when the Lakanen-Erviö extractable Cd, Cu and Zn 
contents were 0.41, 27.1 and 53.1, respectively. Cd and Zn contents of the studied soils in Vásárosnamény 
and Tiszacsege exceed these values, which refers to the significant hazard of the pollution. Sharma et al. 
(2009) studied the easily mobilizable (Lakanen-Erviö extraction) Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents of high, medium 
and low contamination areas (due to mining activities). Comparing our measurements to these results it can 
be concluded that the Cd, Cu and Zn contents of the studied soils in Vásárosnamény, Rakamaz and Tiszacsege 
exceed the average Cd, Cu and Zn contents (0.87, 12 and 26 mg kg-1, respectively) of the low contamination 
area. The effect of the second pollution (Baia Borsa, March 2000) on the available metal contents of the 
Tivadar floodplain was not detectable, which is in accordance with the results of Szabó et al. (2008). 
We found that during the 11 year period the easily available Cd, Zn and Pb contents of Vásárosnamény 
floodplain increased significantly. This may caused by the periodical flood events and the mobilization of the 
pollutants. Further investigations (solid state partitioning of metals by sequential extraction) are required to 
find an explanation of this increase. 
Acknowledgements 
The work is supported by the TÁMOP 4.2.1./B-09/1/KONV-2010-0007 project. The project is implemented 
through the New Hungary Development Plan, co-financed by the European Social Fund and the European 
Regional Development Fund. 
References 
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G, Balteanu, D., Driga, B., Serban, M.,  Zaharia, S., 2003. The solid state partitioning of 
contaminant metals and as in river channel sediments of the mining affected Tisa drainage basin, northwestern 
Romania and eastern Hungary. Appied Geochemistry 18, 1583-1595. 
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G, Balteanu, D., Coulthard, T. J., Driga, B., Howard, A. J., Bird, G,, Zaharia, S., Serban, M., 2003. 
The tailings dam failures in Maramures county, Romania and their transboundary impacts on the river system. 
NATO Science Series: IV: Earth and Environmental Sciences, 20, 73-83. 
Farsang A., Puskás I., Szolnoki Zs., 2009. Human health risk assessment: a case study of heavy metal contamination of 
garden soils in Szeged. AGD Landscape and Environment, 3(1), 11-27. 
Győri Z, Alapi K, Sipos P, Zubor Á., 2003a. Effects of heavy metal on floodplain soils and pastures of the River Tisza, 
Hungary II. In Natural Attenuation of Metals Along the Tisza River–Floodplain–Wetlands Continuum (pp. 161–
163). Debreceni Egyetem, Debrecen.  
Győri Z, Alapi K, Szilágyi Sz., 2003b. Effects of heavy metal on floodplain soils and pastures of the River Tisza, Hungary I. 
In Natural Attenuation of Metals Along the Tisza River–Floodplain–Wetlands Continuum (pp. 146–160). Debreceni 
Egyetem, Debrecen. 
Kabata-Pendias, A., Pendias, H., 2001. Trace Elements in Soils and Plants. 3rd ed. CRC Press, Ltd. Boca Raton, Florida. 
Kádár, I., 1998. Examination and qualify of contaminated soils. Ministry of Environment Protection, MTA-TAKI, 
Budapest. 
Kraft, C, von Tümpling jr, W., Zachmann, D.W., 2006. The effects of mining in Northern Romania on the heavy metal 
distribution in sediments of the rivers Szamos and Tisza (Hungary). Acta hydrochimica et hydrobiologica, 34(3),  
257–264. 
Lakanen, E and Erviö, R., 1971. A comparison of eight extractants for the determination of plant available 
micronutrients in soil.  Acta Agriculturae Fenn 123, 223-232. 
Macklin, M.G., Brewer, P. A., Balteanu, D., Coulthard, T. J., Driga, B., Howard, A. J., Zaharia, S., 2003. The long term fate 
and environmental significance of contaminant metals released by the January and March 2000 mining tailings 
dam failures in Maramures County, upper Tisa Basin, Romania. Appied Geochemistry 18, 241-257. 
Meers, E., Du Laing, G., Unamuno, V, Ruttens, A, Vangronsveld, J, Tack, F.M.G., Verloo, M.G., 2007. Comparison of 
cadmium extractability from soils by commonly used single extraction protocols. Geoderma, 141(3–4), 247–259. 
 Z. Győri et al. / Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 2 (2013) 7 – 11 
 
11 
 
Nguyen, H. L., Braun, M., Szaloki, I., Baeyens, W., Grieken, R., Van, Leermakers, M., 2009. Tracing the metal pollution 
history of the Tisza River through the analysis of a sediment depth profile. Water Air Soil Pollut., 200, 119-132 
Osán, J., Kurunczi, S., Török, S., Grieken, R. Van, 2002. X-ray analysis of riverbank sediment of the Tisza (Hungary): 
identification of particles from a mine pollution event. Spectrochimica. Acta, 57, 413-422. 
Sharma, P., Steckel, H., Koschinsky, A., Schnug E., 2009. Potential correlation of heavy metals in surface soils with 
infestation of Viscum album in poplar trees. Landbauforschung – vTI Agriculture and Forestry Research, 1(59), 11-
18. 
Szabó, Sz., Posta, J., Gosztonyi, Gy., Mészáros, I., Prokisch, J., 2008. Heavy metal content of flood sediments and plants 
near the River Tisza. AGD Landscape and Environment, 2, 120-131. 
UNEP/OCHA, 2000. Spill of Liquid and Suspended Waste at the Aurul S.A. Retreatment Plant in Baia Mare. Assessment 
Mission Report, Geneva. 
Wehland, F., Panaiotu, C., Appel, E., Hoffmann, V., Jordanova, D., Jordanova, N., Denut, I., 2002. The dam breakage of Baia 
Mare - a pilot study of magnetic screening. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth  27, 1371-1376. 


Long term effect of metal pollution in the catchment area of Tisza River

https://dea.lib.unideb.hu/dea/bitstream/2437/214618/1/file_up_Long%20term%20effect%20of%20metal%20pollution%20in%20the%20catchment%20area%20of.pdf

Long term effect of metal pollution in the catchment area of Tisza River

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

University of Debrecen Electronic Archive