Changes in water and sediment properties due to the impact of the urban environment of Sopron city

Alhabbal, Mr. Baker (2025) Changes in water and sediment properties due to the impact of the urban environment of Sopron city. MA/MSc, Erdőmérnöki Kar.

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Absztrakt (kivonat)

This Master's Thesis investigates the spatial and temporal changes in the water chemistry and heavy metal content of sediments along the Rák Stream system in Sopron, Hungary, spanning a decade from 2015 to 2025. The study compares samples from undisturbed natural sections (HAZ, BAN) and increasingly urbanized segments (HAJNAL, FASOR, GYORI, TESCO) to evaluate the cumulative impact of urbanization. The central hypothesis is that urbanized areas exhibit higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to their natural counterparts, reflecting the cumulative impact of urban activities. The methodology involved comparing historical data (2015, 2024) with new data collected in 2025 from the same six sampling points. Laboratory analyses for 2025 included X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for heavy metals and pH measurements for both soil and water samples. The results reveal distinct patterns of environmental degradation influenced by anthropogenic activity: Water Quality Deterioration: Consistent with the "urban stream syndrome," water quality in the lower, urbanized sections (GYORI and TESCO) showed elevated specific conductivity, chloride, ammonium, and nitrate concentrations, driven by non-point pollution sources like road runoff (salts), wastewater, and agricultural fertilizers. The water pH shifted from generally alkaline in 2015 to slightly alkaline/nearly neutral in 2025, suggesting a trend toward acidification. Shifting Soil Geochemistry: Soil pH across the entire study area shifted from acidic in natural zones (2015) to generally slightly alkaline (2025), a system-wide alkalization trend attributed to the influx of construction debris and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) rich materials. Mobile Metals (Co, Cu, Ni): Concentrations of cobalt, copper, and nickel generally decreased to below the limit of detection in 2025, primarily attributed to natural removal mechanisms like leaching (Co, Cu) and plant uptake (Ni). Persistent Metals (Pb, Zn) showed significant accumulation, especially in the natural areas (HAZ, BAN, HAJNAL) for Pb and both urban (GYORI) and natural sites for Zn. This persistence is due to the metals' strong immobility and resistance to leaching in the observed near-neutral to alkaline soils, coupled with continuous input from atmospheric deposition, tire wear, and fertilizers/sludge. In conclusion, the watershed faces increasing environmental pressure. The most pressing concerns are the long-term accumulation of immobile Pb and Zn in topsoil and the declining water quality in urbanized segments, evidenced by nutrient and salt loading. Mitigation strategies are suggested, focusing on Green Infrastructure (GI)/Low-Impact Development (LID) for urban runoff management, establishing riparian buffer zones for agricultural non-point sources, and utilizing phytoremediation and soil amendments to stabilize persistent heavy metals.

Angol cím

Changes in water and sediment properties due to the impact of the urban environment of Sopron city

Intézmény

Soproni Egyetem

Kar

Erdőmérnöki Kar

Tanszékcsoport/intézet

EMK - Környezet- és Természetvédelmi Intézet

Szak

NEM RÉSZLETEZETT

Témavezető(k)

Helyi kari azonosító

kcslp7

Mű típusa:	Diplomadolgozat (MA/MSc)
Felhasználói azonosító szám (ID):	Baker Alhabbal
Dátum:	12 Jan 2026 12:42
Utolsó módosítás:	12 Jan 2026 12:42
URI:	http://diploma.uni-sopron.hu/id/eprint/16343

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