Persistent organic pollutants in subarctic lakes in the extreme North of European Russia

The paper presents data on the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in bottom sediments of subarctic lakes on Vaygach Isl. and in the Polar Cis-Urals in the Northern European Russia. Dioxin pollution is estimated at the background level, and the recorded levels of hexachlorobenzene fall within the concentration range identified in the bottom sediments of small lakes in the southwestern Arkhangelsk region. The specific character of the congener profile of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in bottom sediments is demonstrated, suggesting a relationship between the pollution that forms under the effect of atmospheric transport of persistent organic pollutants from low latitudes in the past and present and the application of dioxin-containing organochlorine chemicals in timber industry.     

Impact of the chemical composition of bottom sediments on internal phosphorus load

Examples of the impact of the content of organic matter and compounds of Al and Fe in freshwater sediments on the phosphorus release from the bottom are studied. The relationships between the phosphorus release from bottom sediments and organic matter concentration in sediments of 22 lakes of the world are obtained and discussed as a result of generalization of actual data.     

Heavy metal distributions in components of aquatic ecosystems in natural monuments—Lakes Blagodati,Vas’kovskoe (Primorskii Krai) and Azabach’e (Kamchatskii Krai)

Heavy metal concentrations were studied in aquatic organisms (mollusks and higher aquatic plants) and bottom sediments of lakes Blagodati, Vas’kovskoe (Primorskii krai) and Azabach’e (Kamchatskii krai). The geochemical features of watershed rocks, including higher total and leachable concentrations of microelements in bottom sediments (Cu and Ni in Lake Azabach’e, Zn and Pb in Lake Vas’kovskoe) correlate with higher concentrations of those elements in aquatic organisms. Lake Blagodati, where metal concentrations in the sediments are minimal, can be taken as background for Primorskii krai.     

Seasonal biogeochemical and microbiological studies of small lakes in taiga zone of northwestern Russian (Arkhangelsk Province)

The results of biogeochemical and microbiological studies of three small lakes in southwestern Arkhangelsk province are presented. The lakes differ in their morphometric characteristics, thermal and oxygen regimes, and the extent of anthropogenic impact they experience. In the periods of summer and winter stratification, anaerobic water layers with higher phosphates, ammonium, and sulfide sulfur (hydrogen sulfide) are found to form in the bottom horizon of deep-water zones of the lakes. The highest concentrations of sulfide sulfur (150–210 μg dm⁻³) were recorded in the shallow Beloe Lake during winter low-water period, while in summer, sulfide concentration did not differ from those obtained in other lakes (∼10 μg dm⁻³). The abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria in lake bottom sediments varied from 10 to 100000 cell cm⁻³, and the rate of sulfate reduction process varied from 29 to 3746 μg S dm⁻³ day⁻¹. Seasonal variations were revealed in hydrogen sulfide distribution over the water column and in the rate of sulfate reduction process in the upper horizons of bottom sediments in the examined lakes.     

Similarities in the behaviour of Chernobyl derived Ru-103, Ru-106 and Cs-137 in two freshwater lakes

Measurements of the concentrations of Ru-103 and Ru-106 in the water column and sediments of two productive temperate lakes were made during an eight month period following the Chernobyl accident. Ru-103 accumulation in the sediments began simultaneously with that of Cs-134 and a constant ratio (approx. 2.0 on a decay corrected basis) of Ru-103/Cs-137 was observed in surface waters and sediments throughout the measurement period. The ratio is not statistically different from that reported for atmospheric input and for epilimnetic water. The results suggest that the processes of removal of radioactive ruthenium and caesium from the mixed water column to the sediments are the same.Enhancement of Cs, compared with Ru, in the isolated bottom waters of one of the lakes in the summer months provided evidence for Cs release from the sediments during a period of hypolimnetic anoxia.     

Ecotoxicological monitoring in lakes of Northwestern and Central European Russia situated in specially protected natural areas

An ecotoxicological assessment is given to the state of small lakes in specially protected natural areas in Northwestern and Central European Russia, which suffer from aerotechnogenic acidification. The toxicity of water and bottom sediments is shown to increase with decreasing water pH. The most sensitive characteristics of aquatic organisms in different trophic groups are chosen, allowing the state of lakes to be monitored.     

Die Tiefenwasserableitung,ein Weg zur Sanierung von Seen

This study shows that it is possible to restore a highly eutrophic lake by the mean of bottom water siphoning. The main effects of the hypolimnion drainage, such as, erosion of the hypolimnion and increase of the nutrient export out of the lake are discussed. From mass balance calculations it is deduced that in eutrophic shallow lakes the nutrient supply to the trophogenic layer by the sediments can exceed temporarily the external loading by more than a hundredfold. The process of a lakes selfmaintaining auteutrophication is described. An extended summary in English is given at the end of the paper.      

哈纳斯湖的水下地貌与表层沉积物的若干特征

测量表明,哈纳斯湖最大水深达188.5m,平均水深达120.1m,优质淡水容量达53.78×10~8m~3,均在我国湖泊中居突出地位。横断面为罕见的典型箱形,断陷作用仍在强烈进行之中。湖底表层沉积物粒度参数之分布主要受纵向搬运作用控制,局部受横向搬运作用影响。沉积物的矿物学特征与元素分布特征明显受沉积环境控制。沉积物中营养元素含量总体偏低。~(210)Pb法测得平均沉积速率为0.52mm/a,难以补偿断陷作用,湖盆将继续加深。     

Vertical distribution of organic compounds in the bottom sediments of two steppe lakes in Southern Siberia

New data on the distribution of organic compounds at different horizons (0–10, 30–40, and 70–80 cm) of bottom sediments of the fresh Fyrkal Lake (Republic of Khakaßsia) and the salt Lake Mormyshanskoe (Altai Territory) have been collected. The compositions of organic compounds in the sediments in the examined lakes has been found to differ considerably, though some parameters in their composition show changes in the same direction. The concentrations of triterpenoids of the groups of lupane, oleanane, and hopane in the sediments decrease with depth. An increase in the share of saturated compounds in the composition of steroids is accompanied by a decrease in the ratio of their isomers (5β/5α). Terrestrial vegetation dominates among organic matter sources, while, in Lake Fyrkal, the contributions of terrestrial plants and macrophytes are similar. The presence of thermally transformed steroids and triterpenoids throughout the vertical profile of sediments in Lake Mormyshanskoe may be an indication to a slight oil pollution of the water body.     

The choice of oil-pollution criteria for organogenic bottom sediments by chromatography-mass-spectrometry

The results of studying the hydrocarbon composition of organogenic bottom sediments of oil-polluted lakes and lakes of similar types remote from centers of anthropogenic activity are given. To correctly assess the oil pollution of organogenic materials one has to take into account the presence of native hydrocarbons in their composition and to choose the main criterion of oil pollution based on the presence of specific oil components not characteristic of aquatic ecosystems in their natural state. The most promising among such components are alkylbenzenes С₁₅–С₂₅, which slowly degrade under the conditions typical of northern aquatic ecosystems and can be retained for a long time by organogenic matrix.     

Investigation of trace metals distribution in water,sediments and wetland plants of K(i)z(i)l(i)rmak Delta,Turkey

In this study,accumulation and distribution of Pb,Cu,Zn,Co,Ni,Mn and Fe in water,bottom sediments and four plant species (Myriophyllum verticillatum,Hydrocharis morsus-ranae,Nymphaea alba and Typha latifolia) were investigated in (C)ernek Lake of Kizihrmak Delta.The Kizdirmak Delta is one of the largest natural wetlands of Turkey and it is protected by the Ramsar convention since 1993.Selected physico-chemical parameters such as pH,conductivity and dissolved oxygen and also trace metal concentrations were monitored in water.All the parameters obtained were found higher than that of the national standards for the protected lakes and reserves.The accumulated amounts of various trace metals in bottom sediments and wetland plants were found in the following order of Fe ＞ Mn ＞ Zn ＞ Ni ＞ Co ＞ Cu ＞ Pb and Fe ＞ Mn ＞ Zn ＞ Ni ＞ Co respectively.The historical trace metal intake of Myriophyllum verticillatum,Hydrocharis morsus-ranae,Typha latifolia and Nymphaea alba were obtained higher than that of the toxic metal levels and these plants may be accepted as accumulators for the detected trace metals and also bioindicators in the historically polluted natural areas.     

长江中下游典型浅水湖泊沉积物水界面磷与铁的耦合关系

目前普遍认为磷铁耦合关系是P迁移的主要机制,但大部分研究结果并未提供直接的原位证据.为了探索沉积物剖面磷(P)与铁(Fe)的耦合关系,利用Zr O-Chelex薄膜扩散梯度技术(ZrO-Chelex DGT),分别对太湖、巢湖、鄱阳湖和洞庭湖4个浅水湖泊沉积物有效态Fe和P进行高分辨采样和分析.结果表明,不同湖区有效态Fe和P浓度在沉积物-水界面处开始增加,之后波动变化,垂向异质性较强,但两者浓度变化同步.有效态P和Fe浓度的相关分析结果证明两者浓度具有显著的线性相关.室内厌氧培养实验进一步表明,Fe~(3+)的还原性促使Fe~(2+)与铁结合态磷的释放,促使DGT有效态P与Fe同步变化.该结果表明沉积物P的二次迁移和释放受Fe氧化还原过程的控制,为铁磷耦合关系提供了直接证据.     

A conceptual model of supra‐glacial lake formation on debris‐covered glaciers based on GPR facies analysis

Supra‐glacial lakes and ponds can create hotspots of mass loss on debris‐covered glaciers. While much research has been directed at understanding lateral lake expansion, little is known about the rates or processes governing lake deepening. To a large degree, this knowledge gap persists due to sparse observations of lake beds. Here we report on the novel use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys to simultaneously collect supra‐glacial lake bathymetry and bottom composition data from Spillway Lake (surface area of 2.4 × 10⁵ m²; volume of 9.5 × 10⁴ m³), which is located in the terminus region of the Ngozumpa Glacier in the Khumbu region of the Nepal Himalaya. We identified two GPR bottom signals corresponding to two sedimentary facies of (1) sub‐horizontal layered fine sediment drape and (2) coarse blocky diamict. We provide an understanding of the changes in subaqueous debris distribution that occur through stages of lake expansion by combining the GPR results with in situ observations of shoreline deposits matching the interpreted facies. From this, we present an updated conceptual model of supra‐glacial lake evolution, with the addition of data on the evolving debris environment, showing how dominant depositional processes can change as lakes evolve from perched lakes to multi‐basin base‐level lakes and finally onto large moraine‐dammed lakes. Throughout lake evolution, processes such as shoreline steepening, lakebed collapse into voids and conduit interception, subaerial and subaqueous calving and rapid areal expansion alter the spatial distribution and makeup of lakebed debris and sediments forcing a number of positive and negative feedbacks on lake expansion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biosilicium (BSi) in Sedimenten Mecklenburger Seen (Deutschland) und das Calciumcarbonat-Biosilicium-Verhältnis als Trophie- und Wasserstandsindikator Biogenic Silica (BSi) in Sediments of the Mecklenburgian Lake District (Germany) and the Calcite-Silica-Relation as Indicator for Trophy and Water Level

The BSi content has been investigated in the surface sediments of lakes of different trophic state in the Mecklenburgian Lake District. The BSi content differs between 1 to 1000 mg BSi/g dry matter. High values were found in deep eutrophic lakes. Litoral sediments and shallow eutrophic lakes have lower contents. BSi content was found to be correlated with lake morphometry, depth, trophic level, sediment composition and especially with calcite. With the CaCO₃/BSi-value, 3 groups of lakes can be characterized:

• CaCO₃/BSi = 0 oligotrophic and dystrophic lakes
• CaCO₃/BSi ≤ 10 mesotrophic and eutrophic deep lakes
• CaCO₃/BSi ≤ 10 eutrophic shallow lakes

The results from the recent sediments have been compared with those from older sediments. Using the CaCO₃/BSi-value, climatic change, trophic state, and sea level can be detected.     

Groundwater recharge from an oxbow lake-wetland system in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain

The Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer ranks among the most overdrafted aquifers in the United States due to intensive irrigation. Concern over declining water levels has increased focus on understanding the sources of recharge. Numerous oxbow lakes overlie the aquifer that are often considered hydraulically disconnected from the groundwater system due to fine-grained bottom sediments. In the current study, groundwater levels in and around a 445-ha oxbow lake-wetland in Mississippi were monitored for a 2-year period that included an unusually long low-water condition in the lake (>17 months), followed by a high-water event lasting over 4 months before returning to earlier low-water levels. The high-water pulse (>4 m rise) provided a unique opportunity to track the impact in the underlying alluvial aquifer. During low-water conditions, groundwater flowed westward beneath the lake. Following the lake rise, groundwater beneath and near the perimeter responded as quickly as the same day, with more delayed responses moving away from the lake. Within 2 months, a groundwater mound formed near the centre of the oxbow (>3 m increase), with a reversal in the local hydraulic gradient towards the east. Flow returned to a westward gradient when the lake level dropped back below 0.3 m. Analysis of precipitation and nearby river stage could not account for the observed behavior. Recharge to the aquifer is attributed to rising water levels spreading over point bar deposits and into the surrounding forested wetlands where preferential flow pathways are likely to exist due to buried and decomposing tree remains. An earlier study in the wetland demonstrated an increasing redox potential in isolated zones, consistent with the existence of preferential flow pathways through the bottom sediments (Lahiri & Davidson, 2020). Retaining high-water levels in oxbow lakes could be a relatively low-cost water management practice for enhancing aquifer recharge.     

Sediment oxygen profiles in a super-oxygenated antarctic lake

Perennially ice-covered lakes are found in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. In contrast to temperate lakes that have diurnal photic periods, antarctic (and arctic) lakes have a yearly photic period. An unusual feature of the antarctic lakes is the occurrence of O2 at supersaturated levels in certain portions of the water column. Here we report the first sediment O2 profiles obtained using a microelectrode from a perennially ice-covered antarctic lake. Sediment cores collected in January and October 1987 from Lake Hoare in Taylor Valley show oxygenation down to 15, and in some cases, 25 cm. The oxygenation of sediments several centimeters below the sediment-water interface is atypical for lake sediments and may be characteristic of perennially ice-covered lakes. There is a significant difference between the observed January and October sediment O2 profiles. Several explanations may account for the difference, including seasonality. A time-dependent model is presented which tests the feasibility of a seasonal cycle resulting from the long photoperiod and benthic primary production in sediments overlain by a highly oxygenated water column.     

Solution-collapse depressions and suspensates in the limnocrenic lake of banyoles (ne Spain)

A high resolution seismic reflection survey in the Banyoles limnocrenic solution lake allowed penetration of dense suspensates occupying cone-like bottom depressions of different size. The depressions result from the dissolution and collapse of underlying Eocene calcareous and gypsiferous materials over which lacustrine sediments of varying thicknesses have accumulated. The suspensates occupying the depressions present three main types of seismic signatures: stratified, semistratified, and transparent. The densities of the suspensates and the water depths of their tops, which fluctuate continuously, vary from one depression to another. The maximum seismically recorded suspensate thickness is 44 m. Morphological and structural features, seismic characters, and variable degrees of hydraulic activity, point to the existence of different stages of maturity in the lake bottom depressions. This work brings new insight on the dynamics and evolution of limnocrenic solution lakes.     

Phosphorus in sediments of high-elevation lakes in the Sierra Nevada (California): implications for internal phosphorus loading

In high-elevation lakes of the Sierra Nevada (California), increases in phosphorus (P) supply have been inferred from changes in phytoplankton growth during summer. To quantify rates of sediment P release to high-elevation Sierran lakes, we performed incubations of sediment cores under ambient and reducing conditions at Emerald Lake and analyzed long-term records of lake chemistry for Emerald and Pear lakes. We also measured concentrations of individual P forms in sediments from 50 Sierra Nevada lakes using a sequential fractionation procedure to examine landscape controls on P forms in sediments. On average, the sediments contained 1,445 µg P g^?1, of which 5 % was freely exchangeable, 13 % associated with reducible metal hydroxides, 68 % associated with Al hydroxides, and the remaining 14 % stabilized in recalcitrant pools. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that sediment P fractions were not well correlated with soluble P concentrations. In general, sediments behaved as net sinks for P even under reducing conditions. Our findings suggest that internal P loading does not explain the increase in P availability observed in high-elevation Sierran lakes. Rather, increased atmospheric P inputs and increased P supply via dissolved organic C leaching from soils may be driving the observed changes in P biogeochemistry.