River anthropogenic loading

Some case studies on the investigation of anthropogenic loading of river sediments by organic compounds are given in the literature. For example, WENNING et al. [1993] describe the chemometric analysis, by means of PCA, of potential sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in surface sediments. 

These anthropogenic loads are higher for Na, CF, and SO relative to natural loads. This partially explains the higher sensitivity of river chemistry to human development. At a... 

Disturbances (both natural and anthropogenic) that increase nutrient concentration may cause the river biological components and metabolism to shift from natural heterotrophy toautotrophy, even in relatively pristine rivers. Enforced hydrological stability or increased nutrient loading, among many other disturbances, may cause pronounced changes in system metabolism. 

Roy S, Gaillardet J, Allegre CJ (1999) Geochemistry of dissolved and suspended loads of the Seine River, France anthropogenic impact, carbonate and silicate weathering. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 63 1277-1292... 

Human activities and the connected water usage lead to a variety of anthropogenic influences on DOM. The many years of careless exposure of rivers and lakes to untreated and not sufficiently treated wastewater from production sites and households have led to a severe load of the aquatic systems with inorganic, organic, and industrially synthesized products. Their effective elimination has turned out to be a high challenge and has become the key for sustainable water management. 

These investigations demonstrate that different anthropogenic and geogenic sources of the pollutant loads of river sediments cannot be unambiguously classified by investigation of the binding forms of heavy metals. 

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