Concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in the bottom sediments of the Vilkitsky Island’s lakes (the Kara Sea)

Abstract

We performed this study in order to obtain relevant data about the actual ecological status of the lakes in remote areas of the Russian Arctic. The objective was to determine the level of technogenic pollution of bottom sediments in the lakes on the Vilkitsky island in the Kara Sea. To this end, we examined 8 of the island’s small lakes. The content of heavy metals and metalloids (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Y, Nb) in the samples of bottom sediments was determined using the method of Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). The total pollution value in the examined bottom sediments varied from Zc = 9.5 to Zc = 15.3. The maximum level of pollution was found in Lake 4 located in an anthropogenically disturbed area due to the levels of Cr, Co, Ni, As, Y, Nb.