The solid state partitioning of contaminant metals and As in river channel sediments of the mining affected Tisa drainage basin, northwestern Romania and eastern Hungary

This study investigates the solid state partitioning of contaminant metals and arsenic (As) in river channel sediments within the mining-affected Tisa drainage basin, covering areas in northwestern Romania and eastern Hungary. The objective is to understand how these toxic metals are distributed and mobilized in sediment layers, relating their concentrations to historical mining activities and chemical properties of the sediments. A combination of sequential extraction techniques and geochemical analyses was employed to determine the solid-state forms of the metals in the sediments. The results show significant levels of contamination with metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, predominantly occurring in forms that indicate a risk of remobilization under changing environmental conditions. The findings highlight the implications of mining activities on sediment quality and the potential for leaching into surrounding water bodies, necessitating further investigation and potential remediation strategies for affected river systems. This study underscores the need for integrated environmental management practices in industrial mining regions to address contamination challenges effectively.