A field survey—Staroe lake suffering from atmospheric deposition in the region north of the Arctic Circle |
| |
Authors: | Ryunosuke Kikuchi Tamara T Gorbacheva |
| |
Institution: | (1) Dept CEA, ESAC, Coimbra Polytechnic Institute, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal;(2) INEP, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Fersman Str. 14, Apatity, 184200 Murmansk, Russia |
| |
Abstract: | Background, aim, and scope The Arctic holds large stores of minerals, and extracted materials are provided to the world’s economy; in this sense, the
Arctic issue associated with mining is not local but global. In a part of the Arctic region (the Kola Peninsula, 66–70° N
and 28–41° E), metal levels are generally elevated in the lake sediment. There is a question as to what results in elevated
metal levels—a natural process (naturally abundant minerals) or an anthropogenic process (mining and metallurgy). In terms
of solving this question, Staroe lake located on the Kola Peninsula was researched as a case study.
Materials and methods The following parameters were determined in relation with Staroe lake: (1) the current quality of the lake’s water—each 1,000-ml
sample was collected at a surface point and a deep point (near the bottom layer), and the collected samples were directly
analyzed after filtration; (2) atmospheric bulk deposition—bulk deposition was collected using a set of three rainwater samplers
near the lake. In addition, bulk deposition was collected in a background site (250 km to the southwest of the smelter complex)
as a reference; and (3) sediment profile (plus principal component analysis)—lake-bottom sediment was collected by an open-gravimetric
column sampler equipped with an automatic diaphragm. After collection, the sample columns were cut at a 1-cm interval for
analysis. Eigenvalues and variances by factor were calculated from the correlation coefficients.
Results The obtained data show that (1) naturally poor elements (Cu, Ni, Si, and SO4
2−) dominantly influence the lake’s water quality; (2) they are transported from the anthropogenic sources to the study lake
through the atmospheric pathway; (3) mainly the contents of Cu, Ni, Sr, and Ca have influenced the sediment quality since
the 1950s, corresponding to the industrial movement; and (4) Cu, Ni, and Sr originate from an anthropogenic source (smelter),
and Ca originates from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
Discussion As compared with the Russian standard (San Pin 2.1.980–00), the contents of NO3
− (50.3 ± 0.1 mg l−1) and particulates (2.3 ± 0.2 mg l−1) exceeded the standard levels (0.7 mg l−1 NO3
− and 45 mg l−1 particulates); Staroe lake may be slightly contaminated. However, the contamination factor (comparison with the background
data) implies that Staroe lake is considerably contaminated. There is a strong possibility that fine overburden detritus (<0.1 mm
diameter) may be transported from an open pit to the study lake by natural forces such as wind. Although it is difficult to
suppose that one factor dominantly affects the sediment quality, it follows from a factor analysis that factors 1 and 2 account
for about 70% of the total variance: Factor 1 is the most dominant, and factor 2 is the second most dominant in the variability
of sediment quality. It is considered that Cu, Sr, and Ni in factor 1 originate from anthropogenic sources because they are
poor in sediment rocks.
Conclusions The field survey conducted in Staroe lake can give the following answers to the key objectives: (1) The present water quality
is affected by Cu, Ni, Si, and SO4
2− in light of the contamination factor, and these elements originate from anthropogenic sources (the smelter and the open pit)
and are transported to the lake through the atmospheric pathway; (2) the sediment profile and statistic analysis show that
the lake quality has been influenced by deposition of metals since the 1950s; and (3) Cu, Ni, Sr, and Ca have influenced the
sediment quality in light of the most dominant factor—Cu, Ni, and Sr originate from an anthropogenic source, whereas Ca comes
from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
Recommendations and perspectives The presented lake survey shows that the dispersion of human-related pollutants via the atmospheric pathway takes place in
the Arctic region. If the current pollution continues without countermeasures, the high-latitude environment may lose its
original characteristics; hence, this subject is important when considering how to implement a wide range of environmental
protection measures in the Arctic. |
| |
Keywords: | Arctic Heavy metals Pathway Principal component analysis Sediment Smelter |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|