Concentration Levels and Features of the Distribution of Trace Elements in the Sapropel Deposits of Small Lakes (South of Western Siberia)

Abstract

The processes of the migration and concentration of trace elements during sedimentation in small continental lakes in various landscape zones of the south of Western Siberia have been studied. We provide a quantitative assessment of the concentration levels and changes in the regional geochemical background of Cd, Hg, Sb, Zn, and Pb in sapropel deposits over the past 200 years. It was shown that complex natural processes determined by a combination of azonal factors play a fundamental role in the formation of the geochemical and mineral compositions of the bottom sediments of small lakes in various landscape zones in the south of Western Siberia. These consist of: the formation of sedimentary material in the lake catchment depending on the relief, geology, soil, and vegetation cover, as well as anthropogenic influences; the formation of authigenic organic and mineral matter as a result of biological, biochemical, and physicochemical processes; and the deposition of a complex mixture of allochthonous and autochthonous matter at the bottom of a lake, which flows under conditions of prolonged ice formation (anaerobic conditions).

Spatio-temporal distribution of gross mercury contents in the bottom sediments of small lakes of the taiga zone

“…The regularities of the vertical distribution of gross mercury in stratified sections of bottom sediments of lakes of the taiga zone, geographically located in different regions of Siberia and on the southeastern edge of the Baltic Shield, have been established. Spatio-temporal distribution of gross mercury contents in the bottom sediments of small lakes of the taiga zone organomineral deposits is determined by the species composition and the degree of productivity of the biota (Strakhovenko et al, 2021).…”

“…The sources of autochthonous organic matter in the studied lakes are primary producers (phytoplankton and macrophytes), as well as consults and reducents (zooand bacterioplankton, zoobenthos). Autochthonous organic substances undergo significant changes as a result of microbiota processing, which significantly affects the final composition of the mineral part of the bottom sediment (Ovdina et al, 2020;Strakhovenko et al, 2021).…”

Study of the Possibility of Using the Bottom Organomineral Accumulations of the Lakes of the North Kazakhstan Region to Obtain Innovative Fertilizers for the Development of Organic Farming and Agrotourism

“…The composition includes soil humus, which falls from the watershed area during snowmelt and erosion processes. Silts fill the bottom of lakes and the thickness of the layer of their occurrence can reach up to 10 m [38]. As a result of genesis, reservoirs may dry out; in these cases, sapropel may be under a layer of peat [39,40].…”

Editorial for the Special Issue “Heavy Metals in Marine and Lake Sediments”

“…The articles contained in this Special Issue contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental behavior of these heavy metals. This Special Issue presents scientific results obtained by researchers investigating lake sediments [1][2][3][4][5] and surface sediments of some Arctic seas [6].…”

“…Heavy metal distributions within sapropel cores contribute valuable information about the paleoenvironmental conditions and dynamics of lake ecosystems. Two articles are devoted to sapropel sediments [1,2]. Strakhovenko and coauthors [1] present a quantitative assessment of the concentration levels and changes in the regional geochemical background of potentially toxic Cd, Hg, Sb, Zn and Pb in sapropel deposits of southwestern Siberia throughout the past 200 years.…”