Assessment of Contemporary Water Pollution in Sea Estuaries in the Northern European Part of Russia in 2012-2020: A Case Study for the Onega, Northern Dvina, Mezen, and Pechora Rivers

Abstract

Water pollution in the river mouths in the northern European part of Russia has been assessed using chemical parameters, and the pollution for the period of 2012-2020 has been characterized. Water pollution in the mouths of the rivers Onega, Northern Dvina, Mezen, and Pechora has been analyzed in relation to the aggregate anthropogenic and regional natural characteristics. The results make it possible to reveal trends towards either a reduction or an increase in water pollution caused by the decrease in the wastewater discharge and changes in rivers water content under conditions of current changes in the climate of the northern European part of Russia.