Organic geochemistry of Danube River sediments from Pancevo (Serbia) to the Iron Gate dam (Serbia-Romania)

Author(s)
Vesna Micic Batka, Michael Kruge, Petra Körner, Nicole Bujalski, Thilo Hofmann
Abstract

The type and source of natural organic matter was investigated in Danube River sediments from the Hungarian Plain near Belgrade to the Carpathian–Balkan Mountains near the Iron Gate dam by means of pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). In addition, the input of anthropogenic organic matter to the river was traced using sewage markers (linear alkyl benzenes and alkyl phenolic compounds). The VGI ratio employs the most abundant lignin marker (4-vinylguaiacol) and the most abundant organonitrogen compound (indole) in the sediment pyrolysis products and is proposed as an index of the relative contributions of land plant vs. aquatic biomass to sediments. Sewage marker analysis revealed their enhanced accumulation in sediments close to metropolitan/industrial areas and at the mouth of the Velika Morava tributary, as well as their overall decrease in concentration downstream towards the Iron Gate dam.

Organisation(s)
External organisation(s)
Montclair State University
Journal
Organic Geochemistry
Volume
41
Pages
971-974
No. of pages
4
ISSN
0146-6380
Publication date
2010
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105904 Environmental research
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 15 - Life on Land
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/7da3840b-ac6b-4fe7-ae7b-867b669448a2