Arsenic in surface- and groundwater in central parts of the Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe)

摘要

The central parts of the Balkan Peninsula (CBP) in south-east Europe, in Serbia andBosnia, mostly in the Danube River Basin, are geologically–geochemically complex,with several natural and anthropogenic sources of environmental arsenic (As), such asgeological formations, ore deposits, old and active mines, as well as the industries. CBP isalso rich in mineral and thermal waters (MTWs). Arsenic concentrations are low in theDanube River water and shallow riparian groundwaters (0.1-8μg/1). However, there aremining and industrial areas where the streams are polluted by As. In the water-sedimentsystem, As is specially enriched in clay fraction. Arsenic concentrations in 153 MTWsvary significantly, from <0.01 to 8 mg/1, but those with <30μg/1 predominate. TheMTWs are famous for their being a rich source of iron (Fe)–arsenic medicinal water,Crni Guber, in Srebrenica (5000 μg/1 As). In this study, we have discussed the correla-tions between As concentration, mineralization, Fe content, and pH in the MTWs.