A Paleolimnological Perspective on Arctic Mountain Lake Pollution

The chemical composition of sediments from the Arctic mountain Lake Bolshoy Vudjavr, situated in western part Russian zone, was studied. lake has been under intense anthropogenic load for more than 90 years since development richest apatite–nepheline deposits world started. A 27 cm thick sediment core sampled central at maximum depth 37.4 m. concentrations 50 elements were analyzed by mass spectral method, ICP-MS. sedimentation rate established change content radioactive isotope 210Pb 2.3 mm/yr. effluent production and atmospheric fallout enrich Vudjavr with alkali alkaline earth metals, N, P, Mn, Fe, Al compounds, rare elements, trace (Sb, Cu, Zn, Pb, Bi, Nb, Ta, Th). Analysis forms showed that studied are mainly found stable fractions—mineral, acid-soluble, associated organic matter. pollution assessed integral index PLI (Pollution Load Index) CF (contamination factor). value sharply increased after “Apatite” Plant had launched a large amount wastewater mines released into lake. highest values detected layers accumulated during period 1990s–2000s. Sb (18.2), P (10.3), Sr (7.8), La (6.0) have among all elements.