Aquatic environment and anthropogenic factor effects on distribution of trace elements in surface waters of European Russia and Western Siberia

Abstract

The distribution of trace elements of anthropogenic origin, especially toxic metals, is an environmental problem. We present the first results of research into the geochemistry of lake waters and metallic pollution in European Russia (ER) and Western Siberia (WS), based on a survey of 367 lakes from the tundra to the steppe zones. The content of more than 80 elements in the lake water was studied; the influence of airborne contamination and the geochemistry of water were estimated. We found that the concentrations of alkaline and alkaline-earth elements, as well as As, V, Co, U, Nb, Sb, increase with a change in the climatic gradient. This fact is explained not only by airborne contamination, but also by the geochemistry of lakes and the climatic factor (increased evaporation concentration). Anthropogenic eutrophication leads to an increase in the content of Fe, Sr, Mo, and acidification—Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, and especially Pb. There are industry-specific influences: the waters of the northern regions of ER are enriched by Ni, Cd, As, Sb and especially Se because of the emissions from copper-nickel smelters. The oil and gas industry (WS) leads to increased concentrations of V, Pb and Mo in water. We assess the metallic pollution status of surface water in the Eurasian region of Russia using an enrichment factor (EF). In surface waters of ER and WS, metal concentrations do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration, but we have established higher concentrations of many elements in the background, including toxic ones. Prolonged low doses of toxic elements can be a potential hazard to ecosystems and humans. The results showed that from the northern to the southern regions the EF increases for most of the analyzed elements. It can be assumed that with climate warming the concentration of metals in these bodies of water will increase and this is dangerous for the environment.