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Abstract: Scientific information on affecting degree by heavy metals of sediments from Fani and Mati rivers (northern Albania) is limited. In this study, the sediment samples taken from these rivers, and ore and calcine samples taken from the industrial sites located within the basins of these rivers were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry for Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As and Ni, to determine the enrichment of these elements. The results indicated that the sediment samples contained up to 736 mg/kg Ni, 618 mg/kg Zn, 26.1 mg/kg Pb, 0.83 mg/kg Cd, 1167 mg/kg Cu, 408.7 mg/kg As, and 375.8 mg/kg Cr. The highest metal concentrations are found in sediments collected below the Rubiku and Kurbneshi sites. Although the data exhibited significant dilution of some heavy metals in sediments from downstream, the concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn and Cd exceed the values at the 90th percentile, while the concentrations of Cu and As exceed the maximum values (Geochemical Atlas of Europe). The ore and calcine leachates contained up to 16800 mg/kg Cu, 53 mg/kg Ni, 81 mg/kg Zn and 0.31 mg/kg Cd, suggesting that the existing wastes contain soluble copper, zinc, nickel and cadmium. The risk of heavy metals in the environment is high because of the elevated levels of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Cd in the river sediments. The results indicate downstream transference of these metals from the studied sites.

Keyword: Fani-Mati rivers system; heavy metals; pollution; river sediments; Albania