Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Shkumbini River and Their Risk to Irrigated Agriculture and the Food Chain in Central Albania

¹Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
^*Corresponding author; E-mail: fhuqi@ubt.edu.al

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Abstract

Shkumbini River is a typical example of a watershed where natural geological conditions and human activities interact, influencing water quality and its suitability for agricultural use. The river originates in the Pogradec and Librazhd districts and flows westward into the Adriatic Sea. Five sampling sites (Hotolisht, Librazhd, Labinot Fushë, Paper, and Peqin) were selected to evaluate natural and anthropogenic contamination sources affecting irrigation water in central Albania. The aim of this study was to assess heavy metal concentrations in the Shkumbini River, identify their natural and anthropogenic origins, and evaluate their potential risk to irrigated agriculture and the food chain in Central Albania by comparison with international standards. Water samples were collected during 2025-2026. In situ measurements of temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen were performed using a portable multiparameter probe. Heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cu) were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry according to ISO 15586 and evaluated using Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) standards. Physicochemical parameters were within acceptable ecological limits, indicating suitable conditions for aquatic life. However, heavy metal results showed clear spatial variation. Nickel was the most critical contaminant, with concentrations ranging from 14.97 to 56.63 µg/L, exceeding NIVA guideline values (5–10 µg/L) at all stations. The highest Ni values occurred at Paper (≈56.6 µg/L) and Peqin (≈45.3 µg/L), reflecting strong influence from metallurgical industrial activity in the Elbasan area. Elevated Ni and Cr at Hotolisht and Librazhd are associated with natural ultramafic geological formations, while lower values at Labinot Fushë indicate dilution in nonultramafic zones. Chromium concentrations ranged from 9.93 to 33.95 µg/L, with maximum values in industrially impacted areas. Zinc remained below toxic thresholds at all stations, whereas copper increased downstream, particularly at Peqin.Overall, both natural geology and anthropogenic activities contribute to heavy metal contamination in the Shkumbini River. The persistent exceedance of Ni and elevated Cr indicate a significant risk for irrigation water quality, with potential transfer into agricultural soils and crops. Considering the extensive use of this river for irrigation in central Albania, there is a risk of heavy metals entering the food chain, requiring continuous monitoring and mitigation strategies.

Keywords: Shkumbini River, heavy metals, irrigation water, ultramafic geology, metallurgical activity, food chain risk