Chlorophenol compounds, representing a group of chlorinated phenols and their derivatives, are ionic compounds with different degree of hydrophobicity, lipophilicity and acidity. As potential anthropogenic sources of pollution of ecosystems by chlorophenol compounds is the regional atmospheric transport of these compounds from the territories of border regions. At the same time, the sources of the diversity of chlorophenol compounds are the natural processes of enzymatic biosynthesis in the components of the environment. These compounds are especially dangerous for the Arctic and subarctic ecosystems, since the conditions of the cold climate contribute to their longterm preservation, which increases their negative impact on living organisms.The research area includes subarctic small thermokarst lakes located in the central part of Vaigach Island and in Bolshezemelskaya tundra.The isolation of chlorophenol compounds from bottom sediment samples was carried out by accelerated liquid flow-through extraction with a hot mixture of organic solvents with extraction of easily and hardly extractable chlorophenol compounds and subsequent analysis on a gas chromatograph with an electron-capture detector. The total content of chlorophenol compounds was determined by summing their concentrations in the easily and hardly extractable fractions.

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The article presents the results of studies of the environmental properties of organochlorines which differ in properties and origin, in the lake ecosystems of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra (Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia). The purpose of this study was to evaluate and assess the levels, distribution characteristics and composition of organochlorines in the bottom sediments of small lakes located in the Adzva river basin in Pymvashor natural boundary (the northernmost location of the exit of thermal-mineral springs of the continental Europe) and in the adjacent area, outside this unique subarctic hydrothermal zone.In order to meet this goal, multi-method (hydrochemical, geochemical, etc.) research was carried out using standard generally approved laboratory practices with their adaptation to the study goals. The quantitative content and composition of the target individual organochlorines were determined by gas chromatographic method with electron-capture detection.The presence of chlorophenol compounds and polychlorinated benzenes (including persistent organic pollutants) was shown in the lakes sediments. The influence of specific microclimatic conditions of subarctic hydrothermal system on the composition and distribution of chlorophenol compounds in lake sediments was considered. In the small lake sediment core in Pymvashor natural boundary a reducing trend in the levels of organochlorines with depth has been recorded (conditioned among other things by the lithological features of bottom sediments). The chlorophenol compounds were found at highest concentrations (619.3–765.5 ng/g) in the sediment upper layers, rich in organic matter; chlorophenol composition was represented mainly by chlorinated phenols, most likely of biotic origin. A lower concentration (185.0 ng/g) of chlorophenol compounds of predominantly abiogenic origin was determined in the lake sediments outside hydrothermal system. The presence and levels of persistent organochlorine pollutants (pentachlorophenol 0.1–2.4 ng/g; hexa- and pentachlorobenzenes 0.4–3.6 ng/g) in the lake sediments were associated with long-range atmospheric transport from various origin sources in nearby regions and low-latitude territories.

Abstract. The paper presents the results of multi-year studies of bottom sediments of a boreal lake (the south-west of the Arkhangelsk region,Russian Federation), which exist under a specific anthropogenic impact, namely, the long-term usage of a chlorophenol-containing biocide (NaPCP) in the past. It is shown that levels of pentachlorophenol (PCP) significantly decreased after more than two decades since the discontinuation of biocide usage. However, an increase in levels of PCP derivatives (namely, toxic chlorinated guaiacols and catechols) in lake sediments was found. These chlorophenolic compounds were detected in a state inaccessible for biodegradation, which indicates their persistence in sediments for a long time.