Levels and distribution patterns of heavy metals in water and bottom sediments of Lake Seliger, Tver and Novgorod Regions, Russia
https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2025-3-12
Abstract
Aim. This study sets out to determine and compare the concentrations of several heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) in the water and bottom sediments of Lake Seliger, with a particular focus on the impact of technogenic load.
The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the levels of heavy metals (HM) in the water and bottom sediments of five reaches of Lake Seliger during the summer periods of 2023 and 2024. The levels of HM were determined in order to ascertain the effects of different anthropogenic loads on the environment. Atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomisation and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry were used to conduct the quantitative chemical analysis.
The results of the study indicate that spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of chemical elements in Seliger water is primarily attributable to the location of pollution sources and the complex configuration of the lake itself. Maximum concentrations of heavy metals in water and bottom sediments are observed in the Slobodskoy and Ostashkovskoy reaches, in proximity to industrial enterprises, while minimum concentrations are recorded in the Berezovskoy and Polnovskoy reaches. Elevated concentrations of elements are characteristic of the Selizharovsky reach, which is, in fact, a transit reach, through which pollutants are transported to the Selizharovka River. The distribution of heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the lake practically mirrors the distribution of elements in water. Based on the analysis of the values of bottom accumulation coefficients obtained by the authors, a high level of chronic pollution of the lake by all studied metals was established.
The results obtained underline the necessity for a thorough investigation into the ecological condition of the reservoir, in conjunction with the implementation of additional systematic observations pertaining to the content of pollutants in the water and bottom sediments of Lake Seliger.
About the Authors
Yu. I. Baeva
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Yulia I. Baeva, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor, Department of Demographic and Migration Policy
76 Prospect Vernadskogo, Moscow, 119454. Tel. +79167888129
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
N. A. Chernykh
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Natalia A. Chernykh
Moscow
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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For citations:
Baeva Yu.I., Chernykh N.A. Levels and distribution patterns of heavy metals in water and bottom sediments of Lake Seliger, Tver and Novgorod Regions, Russia. South of Russia: ecology, development. 2025;20(3):133-144. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2025-3-12
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