Determination of the composition and contamination with heavy metals of soils from the Srebarna lake reserve

Soils from the Srebarna Nature Reserve, particularly those adjacent to the Danube River, exhibit relatively low contamination with heavy metals despite their vulnerability. A study analyzing eight soil samples found that while concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids were present, they remained below permissible normative values. The soils demonstrated a good stock of essential nutrients such as carbon (humus), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P). This research highlights the resilience of Srebarna's wetland ecosystems to heavy metal contamination, which poses significant risks due to bioaccumulation in waterfowl at the top of the food chain. The study employed standard testing methods for pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient content, and heavy metal presence, providing a baseline for assessing environmental health in this critical UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MLADENOV, M., & YANEVA, S. (2020). DETERMINATION OF THE COMPOSITION AND CONTAMINATION WITH HEAVY METALS OF SOILS FROM THE SREBARNA LAKE RESERVE. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Chemia, 193–202. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbchem.2020.3.15