An Integrated Approach in the Assessment of the Vlasina River System Pollution by Toxic Elements

Increasing pollutant levels in surface water are a very important problem developing countries. In Serbia, the largest rivers transboundary that cross border already polluted. Taking this into account, evaluation of distribution characteristics, ecological risk, and sources toxic elements river sediments watercourses Vlasina watershed is great significance for protection resources Serbia. A total 17 sediment 18 samples were collected analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) Plasma—Mass (ICP-MS) to determine micro- macroelements contents. The geo-accumulation index (I geo ) was applied classify magnitude element pollution sediment. contents studied below quality guidelines. For water, results principal component analysis (PCA) indicated difference behavior Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, As V, respectively. Cluster (CA) classified according Cu content. PCA revealed lead had different than other can be associated mainly with anthropogenic sources. According degree I , majority region uncontaminated regarding elements. origin mostly from natural processes such as soil rock weathering.