ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF DISSOLVED HEAVY METALS IN VLORA BAY, ALBANIA

This study was carried out in Vlora Bay, Adriatic Sea, to evaluate the environmental status and estimate the pollution of different contamination sources in this area. Vlora Bay is a half-closed bay, positioned from the mouth of the Vjosa River delta to Karaburuni Peninsula. The total dissolved metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) of seawater samples were analyzed by graphite furnace AAS after the pre-concentration with CHELEX-100. The samples from 8 stations of Vlora Bay coastal areas, Albania, were collected during February 2012. There is little information available regarding the nutrient and heavy metal contamination level of Vlora Bay. Our analytical data were subjected to statistical analysis. Good correlations between Ni and Pb; Mn and Zn; Fe and Zn; Hg and Zn were found. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using EXCEL and MINITAB-15 package programs. Based on the heavy metals concentrations and UK standards for the protection of saltwater life (SACs Project 2001) [32], and Sweden Environmental Quality Criteria (2002) [33], the seawater quality of Vlora Bay is quite good. The levels of trace metals were found to be lower than the Swedish guidelines (Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn) for coastal water. The seasonal weather conditions of February were characterized by heavy rains, strong wind and high seawater waves. These conditions are distinguished as the main factors that affect the concentration of trace elements in coastal water of Vlora Bay during our monitoring period.