AI Article Synopsis

  • A copper-nickel smelter complex near the Kole Peninsula in Russia has led to elevated trace-element concentrations in surface sediments of 45 nearby lakes, particularly Ni, Cu, Pb, Co, Hg, As, and Cd.
  • Highest trace-element concentrations were found within 20 km of the smelter, decreasing significantly with distance, indicating clear spatial deposition patterns related to the smelter's emissions.
  • In lakes located 20-60 km from the smelter, increasing levels of elements like Ni, Cu, As, and Hg in surface sediments suggest recent atmospheric deposition changes, although diagenetic processes could also be influencing these results.

Article Abstract

A large copper-nickel smelter complex is located at the Kole Penninsula, Russia, close to the Norwegian border. Trace-element concentrations in surface sediments (0-0.5 cm) and pre-industrial sediments from 45 lakes in the region were used to uncover spatial deposition patterns and contamination factor of sediments. Elevated concentrations were found, especially for Ni and Cu, but also for Pb, Co, Hg, As, and Cd. Highest concentrations were found up to 20 km from the smelter, but the concentrations decreased exponentially with distance from the smelter. Increasing Ni, Cu, As, and Hg concentrations from sub-surface to surface sediments were found for lakes at intermediate distances (20-60 km). This may reflect recent changes in atmospheric depositions, as shown in nearby Norwegian areas. However, we cannot rule out that this also may have been caused by diagenetic processes, especially for the most redox-sensitive elements such as As.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758812PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0384-8DOI Listing

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