Content of heavy metals in urban surface water bodies

Today urban territories became the main habitat for people, but together with the rising level of economic and social advantages, they also have some ecological problems. And one of them is the pollution of urban water bodies with different toxicants, such as heavy metals. In this study, the analysis of surface water bodies carried out to containing of some heavy metals, such as: Pb, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zn, Cd and Cu, as well as comparison of obtained results with the results of previous research in 2006. During the research it was found that the main heavy metal contaminating town water bodies is cadmium (Cd), which average concentration is thirtyfold higher then allowed statutory level of contaminants for water bodies to amenity needs. Maximal concentration of Cd is 37 MPC an (maximum permissible concentration in water bodies to amenity needs) was evidenced in the pond inside the industrial area. The other heavy metals found in water bodies and benthic sediments in concentrations 2-5 MPC an were Pb, Fe and Mn. The results were compared with the previous research data in 2006, and it should be noticed, that during the eleven years concentrations of Pb and Mn lowered a bit, but they are still higher than MPC an. At the same time, concentrations of Fe and Cd have slightly increased. In regards to heavy metals' concentrations in sediments, their dynamics changed a little. Basing to the obtained data, the specific combinatorial water pollution index (SCWPI) was calculated. This index characterizes water pollution rate, and for water bodies in Dzerzhinsky town SCWPI was 11 points, which indicates that surface waters in the town could be classified as strongly polluted waters.