Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Content of heavy metals in water objects of the delta of Don: seasonal and spatial dynamics

2016. №2, pp. 76-84

Tkachenko Oleg V. - laboratory assistant, Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, 1 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, tov1989@yandex.ru

Tkachenko Anna N. - РЎ.Sc. in Geography, researcher, Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, 1 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, kuryakova-anna@rambler.ru

Lychagin Mikhail Yu. - РЎ.Sc. in Geography, associate professor, Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, 1 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, lychagin@geogr.msu.ru

River mouth areas occupy the lower most positions in the landscape-geochemical systems of river basins and experience significant anthropogenic pressure. However, deltaic landscapes play an important barrier role of in the elements flows coming from continent to the ocean. They serve like biogeochemical filter wherein precipitated most of suspended and dissolved elements from the continent. This study focuses on geochemistry of aquatic landscapes of the Don Mouth area - one of the largest rivers of the European part of Russia. The paper presents the data of the dissolved heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, Ni) content in the water of the Don River delta. The results were obtained during field geochemical research in 2012-2014. During these studies different types of water bodies were investigated: big and small streams in the delta and the nearshore zone. The data on the heavy metals average content is compared with the global average. The migration conditions of heavy metals are discussed. n work presents the data of heavy metals spatial variability in waterways of the delta, and areas with high concentrations of pollutants are identified. In paper presents data of heavy metal content in different seasons - period of spring floods, winter and summer-autumn low water period, and seasonal dynamics of dissolved forms of HM are described. The priority pollutants of the Don River delta and main sources of them are discussed.

Key words: дельты рек, аквальные ландшафты, тяжелые металлы, дельта Дона, river deltas, aquatic landscapes, heavy metals, Don River delta

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