Ráckeve-branch
of river Danube (HU)
 Geographical
location:
Danube branch on the east side of Csepel Island,
south of Budapest. |
Type
of waterway:
Branch
of Danube river closed by two locks on the northern and southern
ends. The locks were built between 1910 and 1926. Since that time
water flow in the river branch is very low, close to still water. |
Contamination
type and problem:
heavy metals in deeper layers of the sludge. The
Csepel Island is moderately populated area. In the 20th century
significant heavy industry was characteristic of the Csepel Island
– in addition to a military airport. However, these activities
caused during the last decade. As both ends of the Ráckeve-branch
are closed by locks, industrial pollution could easily accumulate
in the sludge of the practically steady water. Recent analyses
confirmed that the heavy metal concentration was significant,
mainly in the deeper layers of the sludge at the southern edge of
the island. Csepel Island nowadays serves as residential and
recreational area. The Hungarian Water Management Authorities have
decided to remove the polluted sludge from the Ráckeve-branch and
revitalize the area. |
Typical
water depth:
2-3 m
(in the surveyed area, more to the south) |
Water
conductivity:
390
μS/cm |
Surveys
performed:
GPR/Seismic |
