Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania

Lead (Pb) is a persistent and toxic heavy metal that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands act as natural filters, while beaver dams influence sediment deposition and metal retention. This study investigates Pb fixation in wetland sediments by analyzing its spatial and temporal variations, consider...

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Main Authors: Kateryna Fastovetska, Olgirda Belova, Alvyra Slepetiene
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/737
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author Kateryna Fastovetska
Olgirda Belova
Alvyra Slepetiene
author_facet Kateryna Fastovetska
Olgirda Belova
Alvyra Slepetiene
author_sort Kateryna Fastovetska
collection DOAJ
description Lead (Pb) is a persistent and toxic heavy metal that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands act as natural filters, while beaver dams influence sediment deposition and metal retention. This study investigates Pb fixation in wetland sediments by analyzing its spatial and temporal variations, considering organic matter content and sediment composition. Pb concentrations were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and fixation processes were assessed using concentration coefficients relative to background values (15 µg g<sup>−1</sup>, Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 60:2004). A total of 165 sediment samples were collected during the spring and the autumn of 2022 and 2023 across three study sites. The results indicate that Pb fixation strongly correlates with organic carbon content, while sediment texture influences its mobility. A key finding is that beaver dams contribute to Pb retention by altering hydrodynamic conditions and sedimentation patterns. Despite sediment stability, new Pb inputs continue to enter water bodies, depending on pollution sources. However, Pb concentrations remain within background levels and do not exceed the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC). These findings are essential for wetland conservation and contribute to sustainable strategies for mitigating heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-96edc7f166684265b4cafff753d7d5b42025-08-20T02:18:14ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-03-0114473710.3390/land14040737Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in LithuaniaKateryna Fastovetska0Olgirda Belova1Alvyra Slepetiene2Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, LT-58344 Akademija, LithuaniaLithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, LT-58344 Akademija, LithuaniaLithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, LT-58344 Akademija, LithuaniaLead (Pb) is a persistent and toxic heavy metal that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands act as natural filters, while beaver dams influence sediment deposition and metal retention. This study investigates Pb fixation in wetland sediments by analyzing its spatial and temporal variations, considering organic matter content and sediment composition. Pb concentrations were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and fixation processes were assessed using concentration coefficients relative to background values (15 µg g<sup>−1</sup>, Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 60:2004). A total of 165 sediment samples were collected during the spring and the autumn of 2022 and 2023 across three study sites. The results indicate that Pb fixation strongly correlates with organic carbon content, while sediment texture influences its mobility. A key finding is that beaver dams contribute to Pb retention by altering hydrodynamic conditions and sedimentation patterns. Despite sediment stability, new Pb inputs continue to enter water bodies, depending on pollution sources. However, Pb concentrations remain within background levels and do not exceed the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC). These findings are essential for wetland conservation and contribute to sustainable strategies for mitigating heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/737wetlandbeaver damlead (Pb)sedimentsorganic carbon (OC)
spellingShingle Kateryna Fastovetska
Olgirda Belova
Alvyra Slepetiene
Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania
Land
wetland
beaver dam
lead (Pb)
sediments
organic carbon (OC)
title Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania
title_full Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania
title_fullStr Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania
title_full_unstemmed Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania
title_short Lead Fixation in Sediments of Protected Wetlands in Lithuania
title_sort lead fixation in sediments of protected wetlands in lithuania
topic wetland
beaver dam
lead (Pb)
sediments
organic carbon (OC)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/737
work_keys_str_mv AT katerynafastovetska leadfixationinsedimentsofprotectedwetlandsinlithuania
AT olgirdabelova leadfixationinsedimentsofprotectedwetlandsinlithuania
AT alvyraslepetiene leadfixationinsedimentsofprotectedwetlandsinlithuania