Multiparameter assessment of select metal distribution in lacustrine sediments

Abstract

Purpose The main objective of the study was the determination of the Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn distribution in Wigry Lake sediments, as well as the contamination and ecotoxicological risk assessment on the basis of a large data set. Materials and methods Select metal concentrations were determined via AAS or ICP-MS. Contamination assessment was achieved via the implementation of different geochemical background values, selected pollution indices, and by way of comparison with the limit values of the sediment quality guidelines and supported by cartographic methods. Results and discussion Metal concentrations presented in the paper were associated with a specific type of sediment and sedimentation environment. The highest concentrations of metals were found in the fluvial-lacustrine sediment covering the bottom of the bay of eutrophic character. The lowest amounts were found in the lacustrine chalk and clastic sediment present in the littoral parts of the lake, while profundal sediments were more enriched with metals. Studies revealed that the examined metals have mostly natural, but also anthropogenic origin. The assessment of lake sediments, with the use of geochemical background values and different indices, yielded highly diversified results associated with the variability of background values applied in the study. However, ultimately, the Wigry Lake sediments were found to be only slightly contaminated with Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn, while Pb concentrations were considered to be more disturbing. The potential ecotoxicological risk was assessed as low. Conclusions Particular attention in this study was paid to the significance of the geochemical background values adopted for calculations, which, in the case of Wigry Lake, gave very divergent results. A uniquely large data set facilitated the performance of a thorough analysis of metal distributions in recent lacustrine sediments and highlighted the necessity of using integrated approaches in aquatic ecosystem studies.

A history of interdisciplinary research on Lake Wigry

“…The fact that "the history of the Lake Wigry still hides many secrets and causes discussions among scientists" is of crucial importance (Krzysztofiak 2010). A dozen or so scientific papers (e.g., Alexand rowicz & Żurek 2018, Eliasz-Kowalska & Wojtal 2020, Kostka & Leśniak 2020, Aleksander--Kwaterczak et. al.…”

Natural and Anthropogenic Origin of Metals in Lacustrine Sediments; Assessment and Consequences—A Case Study of Wigry Lake (Poland)

“…More "contemporary" research on Wigry Lake started in 1997, as a result of the passion and commitment of Professor Jacek Rutkowski, professionally associated with the Polish Geological Society, the Polish Limnological Society, and the AGH University of Science and Technology [76], in cooperation with the authorities and personnel of the Wigry National Park, as well as other scientists. During more than two decades that followed, numerous studies were published in many fields, such as hydrobiology [77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86], paleoclimatology, paleolimnology, isotopic investigations and dating [87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94], limnology and sedimentology [95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102], and finally geochemistry and environmental contamination, also with metals [103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114], which is further discussed in more detail.…”

“…The most typical deposit present in the shallow parts of the lake is lacustrine chalk (CaCO 3 : 52-98%; organic matter: 2-7%; silt fraction: 41-72%). Other littoral deposits, which are found only locally, include clastic sediment, i.e., sands and gravels (CaCO 3 : 7-16%; organic matter: <1%; silt fraction: <1%), and organic gyttja, a specific variety of which is fluvial-lacustrine sediment present in the mouth of the Czarna Ha ńcza River (CaCO 3 : 3-14%; organic matter: 10-51%; silt fraction: not determined) [95,97,98,[101][102][103]107,110,114].…”

“…Table 1. Concentrations of selected metals in the LKSD-4 reference material, determined using different instrumental methods [113,114].…”

“…2.6.3, ESRI Inc., Redlands, CA, USA). The bathymetry map (Figure 1c) and the maps of metal spatial distribution (Figures 3a-9a) were created using an ordinary kriging procedure [119], which gave the best interpolation results for the presented data and which has been described in more detail previously [113,114]. The bathymetry map was based on depth data received during "contemporary" Wigry Lake research (after 1997), while collecting sediment samples, and gathered during the performance of seismoacoustic studies [96,99,100].…”