Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only the Danube basin, but also large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing level of metals their toxicity calculation indices. The present research aims to assess Lower surface collected along course (between 180 60 km) up point where River flows into Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization—UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area one largest European hydrographic basins. Five (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed two different seasons, i.e., autumn 2018 spring 2019, using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment revealed correlated aspects: 1. determination potential risks by calculating Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), 2. an evaluation influence anthropogenic activities on contamination sediments, three specific indices, namely, Geo–Accumulation (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load (PLI). results pioneering activity region highlighted presence moderate (Ni Cd) low ecological risk aquatic environment.