Present status of water chemistry and acidification under nonpoint sources of pollution across European Russia and West Siberia

Abstract

Acidic deposition has caused severe surface water acidification in Europe and North America, but surface water acidification has not been systematically studied in Russia. Here we present the first detailed study on regional surface water acidification in European Russia (ER) and Western Siberia (WS) based on a survey of 367 lakes in a transect from the tundra to the steppe, which were investigated to explore the status and mechanism of surface water acidification. The variability of water chemistry is documented and discussed. High pH and acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC) were observed for lakes in the southern region, indicating that surface water acidification does not occur here. Anthropogenic acidification occurs in the humid areas of both regions, being observed in 4.4% of ER and 8.2% of WS lakes. These tundra and taiga lakes are characterized by high transparency, low pH, and ANC with a high concentration of strong acid anions. The main factor leading to acidification in the ER lakes is sulfur emission from metal smelters whilst that in WS is acidification, likely associated with gas burning by oil production facilities. In the ER acid lakes, SO 4 2− is dominant; this is in contrast to WS, where NO 3 − and Cl − are dominate. The influence of strong technogenic acids on the structure of organic components and their possibility to form a proton is discussed. The phenomenon of the increase in water acidification by organic acids and strong acids is explained. These results clearly show the effect of a number of factors that strengthen the acidity of water. Differences in the chemical composition of lakes of both regions, as well as differentiation by their acid properties, were statistically proved. Results of our research indicate the need to reduce emissions of acidic gases into the atmosphere.

Aquatic environment and anthropogenic factor effects on distribution of trace elements in surface waters of European Russia and Western Siberia

“…In spite of a great variability in the concentrations of most trace elements in each climatic zone, there is a number of specificities. In the study (Moiseenko et al 2018a), an increase in Са, Mg, Na, K contents from the northern to the southern regions is shown. The similar geochemistry is typical for all trace alkaline-earth and rare earth elements (Li, Rb, Cs ,Sr, Be Ba).…”

“…This manuscript is the second step of large-scale research into surface waters chemistry in ER and WS. The layout of the sampling points, the basic methods used for studying and selecting lakes, taking samples and their chemical analysis are set forth in the study (Moiseenko et al 2018a). In the article, attention is focused on research into lakes not subject to direct sources of contamination and, therefore, they reflect only the influence of airborne contamination with ingress of trace elements.…”

“…Acidified lakes are characterized by a high sulfate content (especially in ER), low colour (<30°Pt-Co) and low pH (<6). In tundra and taiga, such lakes account for 6.9% in ER and 17.2% in WS (Moiseenko et al 2018a). Under the conditions of water acidification, migration and water enrichment with elements may intensify (Nelson and Campbell 1991, Johansson et al 1995, Moiseenko and Gashkina 2011.…”

“…The territory of Russia embraces different regions and climatic zones, from the tundra zones to the steppe. The processes of water chemical composition formation and anthropogenic loads vary (Moiseenko et al 2018a). A higher density of population and industry concentration characterizes the territory of European Russia (ER).…”

Assessment and abatement of the eco-risk caused by mine spoils in the dry subtropical climate

“…The resulting dumps are characterized by several adverse environmental features, such as dusting with a lack of moisture, compaction, and relatively low content of organic substances. The dust blown away from dump sites poses a threat when it (i) enters human respiratory tracts; (ii) absorbs pollutants in the atmospheric air, which subsequently settle in the topsoil layer causing the rise of pollution rate on farmsteads; and (iii) migrates with the water runoff from land surface to water bodies (Moiseenko et al, 2018), affecting urbanized areas (Cheremisina et al, 2017;Hełdak & Bykowa, 2017;Strizhenok & Ivanov, 2017;Tabatabaee Moradi & Nikolaev, 2018). Thus, the annually published Federal Reports on the State and Protection of the Environment in the Russian Federation state that the cement production industry is a major pollution source in a number of cities.…”