An evaluation of trace metal distribution and environmental risk in sediments from the Lake Kalimanci (FYR Macedonia)

Pollution from mining activities is a significant problem in several parts of the Republic of Macedonia. A geochemical study of the surficial sediments of Lake Kalimanci in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia was carried out to determine their elemental compositions and to evaluate the pollution status of lake sediments by employing an enrichment factor (EF). The major and trace element contamination in surficial lake sediments was studied to assess the effects of metalliferous mining activities. The mean concentrations of major elements (wt%) Si 23.5, Al 7.9, Fe 6.6, Mg 1.3, Ca 3.8, Na 1.1, K 2.3, Ti 0.4, P 0.2, Mn 0.6 and trace elements ranged within Mo 1.0–4.6 mg kg−1, Cu 144.4–1,162 mg kg−1, Pb 1,874–16,300 mg kg−1, Zn 2,944–20,900 mg kg−1, Ni 21.7–79.3 mg kg−1, Cd 16.5–136 mg kg−1, Sb 0.6–3.6 mg kg−1, Bi 3.0–24,3 mg kg−1 and Ag 1.4–17.3 mg kg−1. The EF ranged within 0.12–590.3. Among which, Cd, Pb, Zn and As have extremely severe enrichment. The data indicate that trace elements had extremely high concentrations in Lake Kalimanci surficial sediments owing to the anthropogenic addition of contaminants.