Surface sediments of transboundary Lake Peipsi: composition, dynamics and role in matter cycling

To describe and analyse the role of sediments in the matter cycling in large shallow transboundary Lake Peipsi (L. Peipsi) in north-eastern Europe, detailed surface-sediment mapping was conducted. On the basis of grain size the surface sediments fall into three groups: coarse-grained sediments (prevailingly sands in the lake’s southern part), fine-grained sediments (mainly silts) and silty sands, both in the central deeper part within the 8-m depth contour. The groups of deposits have a distinct spatial distribution, determined mainly by the current system in the lake. The main source of bottom sediments is the erosion of the lake floor and shores, the role of the river input seems to be limited. Fine-grained organic-rich sediments are very cohesive, playing the main role in the circulation of various inorganic and organic pollutants like nutrients and xenobiotics. Due to the cohesive character of the sediments their physical and chemical properties are extremely diverse and if the near-bottom shear stress increases (extreme meteorological events, changes in the water level, etc.), the lake floor may be subjected to episodic erosion and resuspension, which may cause remobilisation of impurities in muddy sediments and their return to the food chain.