Accumulation of Beryllium in Bottom Sediments of Rivers in the Kizelovsky Coal Basin

Abstract

The studies have been carried out on the accumulation of beryllium in bottom sediments of the river. Kosva (Western Urals, RF), which receives acidic waters from 8 water outflows, characterized by a sulfate iron-calcium composition, high mineralization and a significant beryllium content. It is concluded that a river suspension of colloidal size acts as a sorption barrier for beryllium, transported with the flow of water and gradually settling at the bottom. It is noted that the aggregation of particles among themselves with the formation of a larger suspension leads to the fact that, with distance from the source of pollution, a gradual increase in the beryllium content in coarse water suspension is observed with a decrease in the total beryllium content in water. It is recommended that the identified features of beryllium migration and accumulation be taken into account when developing environmental protection measures for the ecological rehabilitation of the river Kosvy.