PHTALATES IN SEDIMENTS OF BAIKAL REGION LAKES

Abstract

Phthalates are one of the most common pollutants, the concentrations of which in the environment in the near future, according to scientists, will only grow. High concentrations of these substances pose a serious threat to water bodies, especially for lake ecosystems, which are characterized by slow water exchange and accumulate pollutants faster, thereby reflecting anthropogenic load and environmental changes. The paper presents for the first time the results of determining the phthalate content in the bottom sediments of lakes Arangatui, Bormashovoe, Dukhovoe, Kotokel, Shchuchye. The total content of 6 phthalates varied from 51 to 2222 mkg/kg of dry weight, while the highest concentrations were noted for central stations. The distribution profile of phthalates in the bottom sediments of lakes is basically quite similar – DBP (average content of 213 mkg/kg) and DEHP (189 mkg/kg) prevailed. It is noted that the accumulation of the studied substances occurs mainly in silty sediments, which is indicated by medium and high positive correlations between phthalates, granulometric composition, the content of organic carbon and heavy metals. The high levels of individual phthalates in the sediments of the studied lakes indicate the need to study in detail the sources and distribution mechanisms in the system of “water-bottom sediments”.