GIS-BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE HAZARD OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION OF SOIL BY FLOODING FROM DANUBE IN THE OSTROVSKA LOWLAND

The aim of this study is GIS-based assessment of the hazard of heavy metal pollution of soil in the Ostrovska lowland (Bulgaria) in case of inundation from the Danube. For this purpose, a GIS-based model is elaborated and applied to the study area. The assessment takes into account the following two parameters: degree of heavy metal pollution of river sediment (Me) and topography (To). The first step produces files into raster format for each of the two parameters of the MeTo index. The second step of data processing includes a reclassification of the resulting maps of the two factors considering the rating of the predefined intervals for each factor. The third step uses the Spatial Analyst Tools Map Algebra - Raster Calculator of ArcMap to combine all the factor maps into one preliminary map. The latter is reclassified in the last step of data processing taking into account the predefined hazard classes.