Condition of bottom sediment in the area of artificial islands of the Kashagan field, Kazakhstan

Abstract

Aim.The aim of the research was to determine the pollution of bottom sediment with heavy metals around artificial islands A and D, where hydrocarbon raw materials from the subsalt stratum are being extracted from island D, and where production has not begun from island A. Investigations were carried out to compare the content of heavy metals in bottom sediments around these artificial islands. Material and Methods.The content of heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in the bottom sediment in the region of artificial islands A and D was studied. Samples were processed under laboratory conditions by standard methods. Measurement of the content of heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn was made using an ICP‐MS spectrometer, and of Pb was made using a ContAA‐600 atomic absorption spectrometer with electrometric atomization (with a HydrEA System Batch Mode HS 55 modular hydride attachment). Results. In 2017, the average concentration of all studied elements in the region of island D was found to be higher than in the region of island A. Conclusion. In all seasons of the research, values in excess of the Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) of all pollutants was not found.