István Vass

15133512700

Publications - 6

Evaluation of trace metal levels in surface water and sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and its tributaries

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2016-12-05

Volume: 51

Issue: 14

Page Range: 1248-1261

Description:

The objective of this study was to assess the concentration levels of trace metals (Zn, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cu) in surface water and bottom sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and its main tributaries. A total of 935 samples (water and sediments) were collected from 10 different sampling sites in the period of 2001–2012 and analyzed for the trace metals. Moreover, the dissolved arsenic content was determined in a number of 467 water samples in the period of 2004–2012. The highest dissolved trace element concentrations were observed at the site of Kenyérmezei-patak Creek located near a hazardous waste incinerator. However, the comparison of the dissolved trace metal(loid) concentrations determined with other sections of the Danube River and the European Union environmental quality standards revealed that the dissolved trace metal(loid) concentrations were relatively low in the Hungarian upper section during the 12-year study period (excluding some samples for Hg, Cd and Cr). The concentrations of trace metals in sediments were higher than those found in water samples and varied very much in all sampling sites during the study period. The sediment samples were mainly classified as low or moderate polluted for trace metals. However, some sediment samples collected especially from the Moson Danube branch indicated a considerable (for Zn, Hg, Cd, Ni and Cu) or a very high (for Zn and Hg) contamination.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2016.1212565

Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and sediments of the Danube River and its tributaries, Hungary

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2014-08-24

Volume: 49

Issue: 10

Page Range: 1134-1141

Description:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and quantified in surface water and sediments from 9 sites in the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and its tributaries in autumn 2012. The total PAH concentrations (sum of the concentrations of 17 individual PAH compounds) in water samples ranged from 67 to 96 ng L-1, which were predominated by two- and three-ring PAHs. The total PAH concentrations in sediments ranged from 35.2 to 288.3 ng g-1 dw. Four-ring PAHs including fluoranthene and pyrene were the dominant species in sediment samples. The spatial distribution of PAHs in sediments was site-specific. The highest benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration was determined at the site located near a hazardous waste incinerator. However, the comparison of the total PAH concentrations determined with other sections of the Danube River and the environmental quality standards revealed that the PAH concentrations are relatively low in the Hungarian upper section. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2014.897155

Trace metal and metalloid levels in surface water of Marcal River before and after the Ajka red mud spill, Hungary

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Publication Date: 2013-11-01

Volume: 20

Issue: 11

Page Range: 7603-7614

Description:

The aim of this study was to compare and assess the dissolved concentrations of trace elements (As, Zn, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cu) in surface water of Marcal River before and after the red mud spill that occurred in Ajka, western Hungary, in October 2010. The caustic sludge flooded the surrounding settlements and polluted the nearby Torna Creek, which flows through the Marcal and Raba rivers into the Danube. A total of 92 surface water samples were collected from the Marcal River in the period of 2007-2012 and analysed for dissolved trace metal(loid)s by atomic absorption spectroscopy method. After the spill, the water management authority initially focused on acid dosing of surface waters to lower pH and was effective in lowering both pH and metal(loid) concentrations. Among the dissolved trace metal(loid)s, arsenic and nickel levels were moderately higher in the Marcal River 2 years since the spill compared to that observed in the pre-disaster period. The concentrations of dissolved trace metal(loid)s did not exceed the European water quality standards and the US Environmental Protection Agency aquatic life criteria values (excluding one sample for cadmium). © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-2071-5

Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water of the Raba River, Hungary

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2013-08-24

Volume: 48

Issue: 10

Page Range: 1190-1200

Description:

The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration level and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water of the Raba River; the largest Danube tributary in Hungary. A total of 54 water samples were collected in the period of 2008-2011 and analysed for PAHs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The total PAH concentrations (sum of the concentrations of 17 individual PAH compounds) ranged from 41 to 437 ng/L with the mean value of 111 ± 69.4 ng/L. Phenanthrene and naphthalene were the dominant species in the surface water. Using TEF approaches on the mean concentration PAH data, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[ah]anthracene contributed the highest carcinogenic exposure equivalent. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The ratios reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. The comparison of the total PAH concentrations observed for Raba River with other surface waters of the world confirmed that the Raba River could not be regarded as a contaminated river according to the levels of PAHs. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2013.776455

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and bed sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó Gábor Simon

Publication Name: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Publication Date: 2013-06-01

Volume: 185

Issue: 6

Page Range: 4619-4631

Description:

This study was performed to elucidate the distribution, concentration trend and possible source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water and bed sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and the Moson Danube branch. A total of 217 samples (water and sediments) were collected from four different sampling sites in the period of 2001-2010 and analysed for the 16 priority US Environmental Protection Agency PAHs. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in water samples ranged from 25 to 1,208 ng/L, which were predominated by two- and three-ring PAHs. The ΣPAH concentrations in sediments ranged from 8.3 to 1,202.5 ng/g dry weight. Four-ring PAHs including fluoranthene and pyrene were the dominant species in sediment samples. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The ratios reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. The levels of PAHs determined were compared with other sections of the Danube and other regions of the world. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2892-6

Monitoring of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) in Surface Water of the Hungarian Upper Section of the Danube River

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó Gábor Simon

Publication Name: Nova Biotechnologica Et Chimica

Publication Date: 2012-01-01

Volume: 11

Issue: 1

Page Range: 27-36

Description:

The aim of this paper is to investigate the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River in the period of 2007-2010. A total of 77 water samples were collected from the sampling sites located at Rajka, Medve and Komarom (1848, 1806 and 1766 river km) under the authority of the Inspectorate for Environment, Nature and Water of the North Transdanubian Region designated by the Hungarian National Monitoring Programme. Sixteen PAHs identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as priority pollutants were monitored. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (PAHs) ranged from 25 to 357 ng·L-1 with the mean value of 98.27± 58.48 ng·L-1. The low and medium molecular weight PAHs (2-3 and 4 ring) ranged from below method detection limit (<1) to 136 ng·L-1 while high molecular weight PAHs (5-6 ring) were present at much lower concentrations (<1-25 ng·L-1). The 2-3-ring PAHs contributed to about 64% while 4-6-ring PAHs accounted for 36% of the PAHs. The dominant species are naphthalene and phenanthrene in the surface water. Concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds including anthracene/(anthracene+phenanthrene) and fluoranthene/(fluoranthene+pyrene) were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The levels of PAHs determined in our study were compared with other sections of the Danube and other regions of the world. © 2012, Versita. All rights reserved.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.2478/v10296-012-0003-2