MACRO- AND MICROELEMENTS DISTRIBUTION IN URBANIZED ECOSYSTEMS OF KARELIA

Abstract

The aim was to study the distribution of macro-and microelements in the main urban ecosystems of Karelia. Methods. Samples of soil, vegetation, surface water, sediments and biota (fish) were taken. In total, 300 samples were collected. The analysis of the material was carried out using epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), x-ray spectral analysis (XRF), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with "cold steam" and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentration of 32 chemical elements in soil, birch leaves, sediments, water and biota (fish) was determined. Results. The distribution of macro- and microelements in soil and vegetation of these main cities of Karelia was determined. Geochemical profiles of distribution of elements in soils and vegetation were constructed. Concentration of heavy and toxic metals in the samples of water and sediments was close to the background values. High concentration of mercury in the muscles of predatory fish was found (CHg = 0.2÷0.3 mcg/kg). Conclusions. The levels of total accumulation of heavy and toxic metals in the soil of Petrozavodsk are classified as hazardous (Zc = 56), and soil pollution in Pitkyaranta, Sortavala and Suoyarvi is considered moderately dangerous (Zc = 15-31). A high degree of correlation between the concentration of elements in the soil and birch leaves was found. The water in lake Ladoga, lake Onega, and lake Suoyarvi in terms of the concentration of the elements presented in the article meets the Russian standards for drinking water.