A geochemical investigation on overbank sediments in the Inari area, northern Finnish Lapland

Abstract

Four overbank sediment profiles in the Inari area of northern Finnish Lapland were studied in detail by the collection of samples at one-centimetre intervals. The sample sites are situated along a line from northeast to southwest away from the industrial centre at Nikel in the Kola Peninsula. Total, aqua regia and ammonium acetate leachable concentrations were determined for more than 30 elements to study their vertical distribution, and to evaluate the results of the three analytical methods in environmental studies. Radioisotopes of 137Cs and 134Cs were measured on 34 samples to assess radioactive fallout. Radiometrie 14C-dating was determined in one profile to estimate the rate of sedimentation. Grain-size analysis was carried out for calculating the field weight to produce a minimum of 500 g of minus 125 μm material, required for analysis and storage, and to estimate the clay content, which affects leachable element concentrations, when partial or near-total analytical methods are used. It was found that the concentration of studied elements varies with depth. Airborne Ni and S contamination from the smelting plants in the Kola Peninsula was weakly detectable by ammonium acetate leachable contents. 137Cs and 134 Cs isotope concentrations, originating from the nuclear weapon tests on the island of Novaya Zemlya and/or from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, were clearly detectable in the topmost layer of overbank sediments. 14C dating has given a time-lag of 5000 years for the deposition of an overbank sediment sequence of 120 cm thickness. Thus, a very slow deposition rate of overbank sediments in northern Finnish Lapland is indicated. It is concluded that grain-size analysis and radiometric dating are necessary for a full interpretation of the geochemistry of overbank sediment sequences, and the selection of leaching methods should be done according to the character of the assumed contamination.