HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF IRRIGATION CHANNEL NETWORK

Heavy metals are known to be widespread soil pollutants which are continuously emitted into the environment by various human activities. Due to strong sorption to solid matter they are accumulated in soils and sediments. A toxic levels are eventually reached with respect to plants and soil organisms, this gradual accumulation already constitutes a serious environmental problem by itself. Bottom sediments can be significant sinks for a variety of heavy metals coming from various anthropogenic sources. The change of conditions can lead to several changes in their physico-chemical properties, such as redox potential and pH, and hence to changes in metal mobility. Therefore, this work was conducted to study the adsorption desorption behaviour of selected heavy metals in bottom sediments on the Rye Island (Zitny Ostrov) channel network for long-time period. Rye Island is one of the most productive agricultural area of Slovakia. Under its surface is the richest water reservoir of Slovakia and also of Eastern Europe. For this reason it is very important to deal with quantity and quality of water resources in this region.