Chalcophile elements Hg, Cd, Pb, As in Lake Umbozero, Murmansk Region, Russia

ABSTRACT: Investigations of Lake Umbozero, the second largest and the deepest lake of the Murmansk Region, were carried out to detect and define biogeochemical patterns of distribution of the chalcophile elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, As) in water, sediments and organs and tissues of whitefishes. Lake Umbozero is affected by emissions and effluents from mining and metallurgical enterprises of the Murmansk Region, as well as air pollution of a global character. Surface and near-bottom maxima were found in the distributions of Pb and Cd in the water column. These two maxima appear to be associated with the cyclical growth of phytoplankton in surface water layers and with sedimentation of lifeless organisms and suspended particles in near-bottom layers. Average concentrations of Pb and Cd in the water column were more than the average value for water of lakes of the taiga zone. Pollution of Lake Umbozero led to higher concentrations of heavy metals in upper layers of sediments as compared to deeper layers. Among heavy metals, the highest factors of contamination were found for Cd and Pb. Pollution of the lake by chalcophile elements has also resulted in their accumulation in organs and tissues of whitefish. Values for concentration factors greater than unity were found for Cd in kidney (5.8) and for Hg in kidney, liver and muscle (3.6, 3.3 and 2.2, respectively) of whitefish

Screening studies of POP levels in bottom sediments from selected lakes in the Paz watercourse

Appendix 5/15 of the publication "State of the environment in the Norwegian, Finnish and Russian border area 2007" (The Finnish Environment 6/2007)

Screening studies of POP levels in fish from selected lakes in the Paz watercourse

Appendix 8/15 of the publication "State of the environment in the Norwegian, Finnish and Russian border area 2007" (The Finnish Environment 6/2007)

State of fish populations in small forest lakes in the Norwegian, Finnish and Russian area

Appendix 9/15 of the publication "State of the environment in the Norwegian, Finnish and Russian border area 2007" (The Finnish Environment 6/2007)

Distribution of background contents of elements in sediments of Lake Imandra

The background contents of the elements in the sediments of the largest lake of the Murmansk region – Imandra – have been investigated. The background concentrations values of the elements have been determined in the deepest parts of the collected sediment cores. The sedimentation rate in the lakes of North Fennoscandia, including the Murmansk region, is on average 1 mm per year, and the range is between 0.3 and 3 mm/year. The collection of sediment cores 20–25 cm long has been carried out during the study of Lake Imandra. Industrial development of unique deposits of sulfide and apatite-nepheline ores on the watershed of Lake Imandra started in the early 30s of the last century. Consequently, the natural background element contents are fixed in the lower layers of the collected sediment cores. Two groups of elements have been identified by the mathematical statistics methods (correlation and factor analysis): the first group is heavy metals, the second group is alkaline (Na and K) and alkaline-earth metals (Ca, Mg and Sr), Al and P. These elements are in elevated contents in the rock-forming minerals on the catchment area of Lake Imandra: the first group is in the northern part of the catchment area (sulfide copper-nickel ores of Monche Tundra), the second group is in the southeastern part of the catchment area (apatite-nepheline deposits of the Khibiny Alkaline Massif). The largest average background contents of heavy metals (except Co, Pb and As) are noted in the northern part of the Bolshaya Imandra; Ca, Na, Sr, Al and P – in the southern part of the Bolshaya Imandra; Mn – in the Yokostrovskaya Imandra, and Fe – in the Babinskaya Imandra, which is associated with specific conditions for the formation of oxides and hydroxides of these metals in the sediments. The highest background contents of K and Mg are noted in the Babinskaya Imandra, which may be due to the wide distribution of clay minerals with a high content of these metals

Vannkvalitetsrapport – Pasvik Overvåkingsprogrammet i grenseområdet mellom Norge, Finland og Russland)

The Pasvik monitoring programme was created in 2006 as a result of the trilateral cooperation, and with the intention of following changes in the environment under variable pollution levels. Water quality is one of the basic elements of the Programme when assessing the effects of the emissions from the Pechenganikel mining and metallurgical industry (Kola GMK). The Metallurgic Production Renovation Programme was implemented by OJSC Kola GMK to reduce emissions of sulphur and heavy metal concentrated dust. However, the expectations for the reduction in emissions from the smelter in the settlement Nikel were not realized. Nevertheless, Kola GMK has found that the modernization programme’s measures do not provide the planned reductions of sulfur dioxide emissions. In this report, temporal trends in water chemistry during 2000–2009 are examined on the basis of the data gathered from Lake Inari, River Pasvik and directly connected lakes, as well as from 26 small lakes in three areas: Pechenganikel (Russia), Jarfjord (Norway) and Vätsäri (Finland). The lower parts of the Pasvik watercourse are impacted by both atmospheric pollution and direct wastewater discharge from the Pechenganikel smelter and the settlement of Nikel. The upper section of the watercourse, and the small lakes and streams which are not directly linked to the Pasvik watercourse, only receive atmospheric pollution. The data obtained confirms the ongoing pollution of the river and water system. Copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and sulphates are the main pollution components. The highest levels were observed close to the smelters. The most polluted water source of the basin is the River Kolosjoki, as it directly receives the sewage discharge from the smelters and the stream connecting the Lakes Salmijarvi and Kuetsjarvi. The concentrations of metals and sulphates in the River Pasvik are higher downstream from the Kuetsjarvi Lake. There has been no fall in the concentrations of pollutants in Pasvik watercourse over the last 10 years. Ongoing recovery from acidification has been evident in the small lakes of the Jarfjord and Vätsäri areas during the 2000s. The buffering capacity of these lakes has improved and the pH has increased. The reason for this recovery is that sulphate deposition has decreased, which is also evident in the water quality. However, concentrations of some metals, especially Ni and Cu, have risen during the 2000s. Ni concentrations have increased in all three areas, and Cu concentrations in the Pechenganickel and Jarfjord areas, which are located closer to the smelters. Emission levels of Ni and Cu did not fall during 2000s. In fact, the emission levels of Ni compounds even increased compared to the 1990s

Miljøutfordringer i grenseområdet mellom Norge, Finland og Russland

This report examines the human impact on the subarctic environment of the joint border area of Norway, Finland and Russia. The aim is to present the current state and recent changes that have taken place in the region. The main threat to the environment is the Pechenganikel mining and metallurgical industrial combine in the towns of Nikel and Zapolyarny in the Kola Peninsula. Emissions from this complex include high levels of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and sulfur dioxide. Pollution, along with climate change, water level regulation and other anthropogenic effects, has affected the aquatic ecosystems in the joint border area. The main heavy metals in the area are copper and nickel, the highest concentrations of which are measured near the combine. Direct discharge of sewage into the river continues and airborne heavy metal particles are also deposited to areas farther away. Climate changeinduced increase in temperature and precipitation in the Kola Peninsula is evident. Water level regulation with seven hydropower plants in the Pasvik River have changed it into a series of lakes and lake-like reservoirs. This report discusses modelling, which was enabled to estimate the effect of climate change on Lake Inarijärvi and the Pasvik River hydrology, water level fluctuation and ecology and to follow the sulfur dioxide emissions emitted from the Pechenganikel. Effects of pollution on the nature and concentrations of the main pollutants were studied and climate change in the border area and its effects on the ecology were estimated. Also the effects of water level regulation on the ecological status of the aquatic ecosystems were addressed

The status of whitefish population from Chuna Lake in the Lapland Biosphere Reserve Russia

The current state of whitefish population and their organisms have been investigated in subarctic Lake Chuna exposed to long-term air pollution from copper-nickel industry. Both annual and long-term heavy metals and acid oxides loads on the lake have been determined. A qualitative assessment has been made for water and bottom sediments. The investigation results have been compared with those of the archived data (the 1950s -1960s studies) to reveal a number of changes. The lifetime of whitefish has shortened, with early maturity and spawning. Pathological changes of whitefish inner organs occur more frequently. Assessment was made for the Cu and Ni concentrations in whitefish organs and tissues, the seasonal dynamics and peculiarities of metal accumulation in two different species. The revealed changes of the biological constituent of the lake ecosystem alongside with hydro-chemical indices of air-borne load is suggestive of adverse impact of longterm air-borne pollution on the Lake Chuna ecosystem

The long-term dynamics of hydrochemical indices of low-mineralized subarctic lakes in reducing the acid load

The results of long-term studies (1990–2013) of dynamics of the main hydrochemical indices of the subarctic Shuonijavr Lake located in the zone of airborne pollution from a metallurgical plant have been considered. The following facts have been revealed: significant increase of alkalinity and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of the lake water; reduction in the range of seasonal fluctuations of ph and alkalinity; reduction of in the lake water during the observation period as a result of reducing the acid load due to the decrease of SO2 emission. Despite the stabilization of the lake water ANC the pollution indicators in six elements of polluters foreground for the region remain high value

Chalcophile elements Hg, Cd, Pb, As in Lake Umbozero, Murmansk Region, Russia

Investigations of Lake Umbozero, the second largest and the deepest lake of the Murmansk Region, were carried out to detect and define biogeochemical patterns of distribution of the chalcophile elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, As) in water, sediments and organs and tissues of whitefishes. Lake Umbozero is affected by emissions and effluents from mining and metallurgical enterprises of the Murmansk Region, as well as air pollution of a global character. Surface and near-bottom maxima were found in the distributions of Pb and Cd in the water column. These two maxima appear to be associated with the cyclical growth of phytoplankton in surface water layers and with sedimentation of lifeless organisms and suspended particles in near-bottom layers. Average concentrations of Pb and Cd in the water column were more than the average value for water of lakes of the taiga zone. Pollution of Lake Umbozero led to higher concentrations of heavy metals in upper layers of sediments as compared to deeper layers. Among heavy metals, the highest factors of contamination were found for Cd and Pb. Pollution of the lake by chalcophile elements has also resulted in their accumulation in organs and tissues of whitefish. Values for concentration factors greater than unity were found for Cd in kidney (5.8) and for Hg in kidney, liver and muscle (3.6, 3.3 and 2.2, respectively) of whitefish