Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multiple discriminant analysis of the Drava River alluvial plain sediments

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

Three discriminant function models are raised and cross-compared in order to distinguish geochemical patterns characteristic for the Drava River floodplain sediments. Based on data representing total element concentrations in samples collected from alluvium (A), terrace (T), and unconsolidated bedrock (B) at the border of a floodplain, four element clusters emerged accounting for discrimination between the referred groups of sediments. The most prominent is contaminant/carbonate cluster characteristic for alluvium. The other two are: silicate cluster typical for unconsolidated geological substrate (Neogene sedimentary rocks); and naturally dispersed heavy metal cluster separating terrace from the former two groups. Models introducing depth intervals and single profiles as grouping criteria reveal identical sediment-heavy metal matrices. The second important issue of this paper is possibility of reclassification of samples originally assigned to one of the a priori defined groups of sediments, based on established geochemical pattern. The mapped geological units can be reconsidered by the post hoc assignments to a different group if geological border between alluvium and terrace or between terrace and bedrock can not be established geologically with absolute certainty.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd El-Azim H, El-Moselhy KhM (2005) Determination and partitioning of metals in sediments along the Suez Canal by sequential extraction. J Mar Syst 56(3–4):363–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amorosi A, Summartino I (2007) Influence of sediment provenance on background values of potentially toxic metals from near-surface sediments of Po coastal plain (Italy). Int J Earth Sci 96:389–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andjelov M (1993) Results of radiometric and geochemical measurements for the natural radioactivity map of Slovenia. Geologija 36:223–248 (In Slovenian; English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bidovec M, Šajn R, Gosar M (1998) The use of recent overbank sediments in geochemical mapping of Slovenia (in Slovenian; English abstract). Geologija 41:275–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Bølviken B, Bogen J, Jartun M, Langedal M, Ottesen RT, Volden T (2004) Overbank sediments: a natural bed blending sampling medium for large-scale geochemical mapping. Chemometr Intell Lab Syst 74:183–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bottrill LJ, Walling DE, Leeks GJ (1999) Geochemical characteristics of overbank deposits and their potential for determining suspended sediment provenance; an example from the River Severn, UK. In: Marriot SB, Alexander J (eds) Floodplains: interdisciplinary approaches. Geological society, London, Special Publications 163:241–257

  • Brewer PA, Taylor MP (1997) The spatial distribution of heavy metal contaminated sediment across terraced floodplains. Catena 30:229–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cappuyns V, Swennen R, Vandamme A, Niclaes M (2006) Environmental impact of the former Pb–Zn minings and smelting in East Belgium. J Geochem Explor 88:6–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciszewski D (2002) Heavy metals in vertical profiles of the middle Odra River overbank sediments: evidence for pollution changes. Water Air Soil Pollut 143:81–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins AL, Walling DE, Leeks JL (1998) Use of composite fingerprints to determine the provenance of the contemporary suspended sediment load transported by rivers. Earth Surf Process Landforms 23:31–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins AL, Walling DE, Leeks JL (1997) Use of the geochemical record preserved in floodplain deposits to reconstruct recent changes in river basin sediment sources. Geomorpohlogy 19:151–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Čović M (2003) Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of overbank sediments of Žumberak and Samobor Mts., Croatia. University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, 139 p (unpublished Master of Science Thesis; in Croatian)

  • Darnley AG, Björklund A, Bölviken B, Gustavsson N, Koval PV, Plant JA, Steenfeld A, Tauchid M, Xie X (1995) A global geochemical database for environmental and resource management. Recommendations for international geochemical mapping. Final report of IGCP project 259, UNESCO Publishing, 122 p

  • De Vos W, Demetriades A, Marsina K, Ottesen RT, Reeder S, Pirc S, Salminen R, Tarvainen T (2006) Comparison of elements in all sample media, general comments and conclusions. In: De Vos W, Tarvainen T (eds) Geochemical atlas of Europe, part 2: interpretation of geochemical maps, additional figures, maps and related publications; Sr-Strontium. Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo, pp 347–352

  • Dillon WR, Goldstein M (1984) Multivariate analysis: methods and applications. Wiley, New York, 575 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Ettler V, Zelena O, Mihaljevič M, Šebek O, Strnad L, Coufal P, Bezdička P (2006) Removal of trace elements form landfill leachate by calcite precipitation. J Geochem Explor 88:28–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes HM (1997) Heavy metal distribution in sediments and ecological risk assessment: the role of diagenetic processes in reducing metal toxicity in bottom sediments. Environ Pollut 97(3):317–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Förstner U, Whitmann GTW (1981) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment. Springer, Berlin, 481 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster IDL, Charlesworth SM (1996) Heavy metals in the hydrological cycle: trends and explanation. Hydrol Process 10:227–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs RJ (1977) Transport phases of transition in the Amazon and Yukon Rivers. Geol Soc Am Bull 88:829–943

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halamić J, Galović L, Šparica M (2003) Heavy metal (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) distribution in topsoil developed on alluvial sediments of the Drava and Sava Rivers in NW Croatia. Geol Croat 56/2:215–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Halamić J, Šajn R, Peh Z, Galović L (2005) Heavy metals in the alluvial sediments of the River Drava (Croatia, Slovenia). In: Third Croatian geological congress, Opatija, 29 September–1 October 2005, Zagreb. Abstracts Book, pp. 193–194

  • Hugget RJ (1998) Soil chronosequences, soil development and soil evolution: a critical review. Catena 32:155–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert CP, Walling DE (1987) Floodplain sedimentation: a preliminary investigation of the contemporary deposition within the lower reaches of the river Culm, Devon, UK. Geogr Ann 69A(3–4):393–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langedal M, Ottesen RT (1998) airborne pollution in five drainage basins in Eastern Finmark, Norway: an evaluation of overbank sediments as sampling medium for environmental studies and geochemical mapping. Water Air Soil Pollut 101:377–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macklin MG, Ridgway J, Passmore DG, Rumsby BT (1994) The use of overbank sediment geochemical mapping and contamination assessment: results from selected English and Welsh floodplains. Appl Geochem 9:689–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macklin MG, Brewer PA, Hudson-Edwards KA, Bird G, Coulthard TJ, Dennis IA, Lechler PJ, Miller JR, Turner JN (2006) A geomorphological approach to the management of rivers contaminated by metal mining. Geomorphology 79:423–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marković T (2007) Vulnerability assessment of the unsaturated zone by geochemical modeling. University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, 155 p (unpublished PhD Thesis; in Croatian)

  • Matschullat J, Ottenstein R, Reimann C (2000) Geochemical background—can we calculate it? Environ Geol 39(9):990–1000

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConnel JW, Finch C, Hall GEM, Davenport PH (1993) Geochemical mapping employing active and overbank stream-sediment, lake sediment and lake water in two areas of New Foundland. J Geochem Explor 49:123–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMartin I, Henderson PJ, Plouffe A, Knight RD (2002) Comparison of Cu–Hg–Ni–Pb concentrations in soils adjacent to anthropogenic point sources: example from four Canadian sites. Geochem Explor Environ Anal 2:57–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miko S, Halamić J, Peh Z, Galović L (2001) Geochemical baseline mapping of soils developed on diverse bedrock from two regions in Croatia. Geol Croat 54/1:53–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Mioč P, Žnidarčič M (1977) Geology of Slovenj Gradec sheet. Basic geological map of Yugoslavia, 1:100000. Geološki zavod Ljubljana, Beograd (Federal Institute of Geology) (In Slovenian; English summary)

  • Mioč P, Marković S (1998) Geology of Čakovec sheet. Basic Geological map of Croatia and Slovenia, 1:100000. Inštitut za geologijo, geotehniko in geofiziko, Ljubljana and Institut za geološka istraživanja, Zagreb (In Croatian; English summary)

  • Molinaroli E, Basu A (1993) Toward quantitative provenance analysis: a brief review and case study. In: Johnsson MJ, Basu A (eds) Processes controlling the composition of clastic sediments. Geological Society of America Special Paper 284:323–333

  • Ódor L, Horváth I, Fügedi U (1997) Low-density geochemical mapping in Hungary. J Geochem Explor 60:55–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ottesen RT, Bogen J, Bølviken B, Volden T (1989) Overbank sediment as arepresentative medium for regional geochemical mapping. J Geochem Explor 32:257–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owens PN, Walling DE, Leeks GJL (1999) Use of floodplain sediment cores to investigate recent historical changes in overbank sedimentation rates and sediment sources in the catchment of the River Ouse, Yorkshire, UK. Catena 36:21–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlovic G, Prohic E, Tibljas D (2004) Statistical assessment of geochemical pattern in overbank sediments of the river Sava, Croatia. Environ Geol 46:132–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips JD (1999) Earth surface systems: complexity, order, and scale. Blackwell, Malden, 180 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Reimann C, Filzmoser P (2000) Normal and lognormal data distribution in geochemistry: death of a myth. Consequences for the statistical treatment of geochemical and environmental data. Environ Geol 39(9):1001–1014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reimann C, Filzmoser P, Garret RG (2005) Background and threshold: critical comparison of methods of determination. Sci Total Environ 346:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoads BL, Cahill RA (1999) Geomorphological assessment of sediment contamination in an urban stream system. Appl Geochem 14:459–483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rock NMS (1988) Lecture notes in earth sciences, 18: numerical geology. Springer, Berlin, 427 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Romic M, Romic D (2003) Heavy metals distribution in agricultural topsoils in urban area. Environ Geol 43:795–805

    Google Scholar 

  • Rognerud S, Hongve D, Fjeld E, Ottesen RT (2000) Trace metal concentrations in lake and overbank sediments in southern Norway. Environ Geol 39(7):723–732

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salminen R, Tarvainen T, Demetriades A, Duris M, Fordyce FM, Gregorauskiene V, Kahelin H, Kivisilla J, Klaver G, Klin H, Larson JO, Lis J, Locutura J, Marsina K, Mjartanova H, Mouvet C, O’Connor P, Ódor L, Ottonello G, Paukola T, Plant JA, Reimann C, Schermann O, Siewers U, Steenfelt A, van der Sluys J, de Vivo B, Wiliams L (1998) FOREGS Geochemical mapping field manual guide 47. Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo, 35 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh AK, Hasnain SI, Banerjee DK (1999) Grain size and geochemical partitioning of heavy metals in sediments of the Damodar River—a tributary of the lower Ganga. Environ Geol 39(1):90–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland RA (1998) A comparison of geochemical information obtained from two fluvial bed sediment fractions. Environ Geol 39(3–4):330–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Swennen R, Van Keer I, De Voos W (1994) Heavy metal concentration in overbank sediments of the Gaul river (East Belgium): Its relation to former Pb–Zn mining activities. Environ Geol 24:12–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Swennen R, Van Der Sluys J, Hindel R, Brusselmans A (1998) Geochemistry of overbank and high-order stream sediments in Belgium and Luxemburg: a way to assess environmental pollution. J Geochem Explor 62:67–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swennen R, Van Der Sluys J (2002) Anthropogenic impact on sediment composition and geochemistry in vertical overbank profiles of river alluvium from Belgium and Luxemburg. J Geochem Explor 75:93–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šajn R (2002) Influence of mining and metallurgy on chemical composition of soil and attic dust in Meža valley, Slovenia. Geologija 45/2:547–552 (In Slovenian; English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Šajn R (2003) Distribution of chemical elements in attic dust and soil as reflection of lithology and anthropogenic influence in Slovenia. J Phys 107:1173–1176

    Google Scholar 

  • Šajn R, Gosar M (2004) An overview of some localities in Slovenia that become polluted due to past mining and metallurgic activities. Geologija 47/2:249–258 (In Slovenian; English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Šajn R, Peh Z, Halamić J, Miko S, Galović L (2005) Experimental geochemical map of Croatia and Slovenia. Third Croatian geological congress, Opatija, 29 September–1 October 2005, Zagreb. Abstracts Book, pp 243–244

  • Volden T, Reimann C, Pavlov VA, de Caritat P, Äyräs (1997) Overbank sediments from the surroundings of the Russian nickel mining and smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Environ Geol 32(3):175–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vreča P, Šajn R, Pirc S (2001) Natural and anthropogenic influences on geochemistry of soils in terrains of barren and mineralized carbonate rocks in the Pb–Zn mining district of Mežica, Slovenia. J Geochem Explor 74:99–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitney PR (1975) Relationship of manganese–iron oxides associated heavy metals to grain size in stream sediments. J Geochem Explor 4:251–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zachara JM, Cowan CE, Resch CT (1991) Sorption of divalent metals on calcite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 55:1549–1562

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded jointly by The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Republic of Croatia, and The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia – Bilateral Project Slo-Hr: “Heavy metals in alluvial sediments of the Drava River” (BI-HR/07-08-002)—as well as the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Republic of Croatia – Scientific Project: “The Basic Geochemical Map of Croatia” (181-1811096-1181). Their support is greatly appreciated. The authors would like to express their gratitude to all who participated to the project. They are also indebted to Tamara Marković for making constructive comments on behavior of heavy metals in the hydrological cycle in the Croatian part of the investigated terrain (Varaždin aquifer).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Croatian Geological Institute, Sachsova 2, P.O. Box 268, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Zoran Peh, Josip Halamić & Lidija Galović

  2. Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva 14, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Robert Šajn

Authors
  1. Zoran Peh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert Šajn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Josip Halamić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lidija Galović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zoran Peh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Peh, Z., Šajn, R., Halamić, J. et al. Multiple discriminant analysis of the Drava River alluvial plain sediments. Environ Geol 55, 1519–1535 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1102-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1102-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation