Distribution of Heavy Metals in Water and Bottom Sediments in the Basin of Lake Gusinoe (Russia): Ecological Risk Assessment

Fresh water scarcity is considered a significant component, and potentially one of the most critical, global climate change. With rapid development industry, there an increasing risk freshwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs). The danger HM pollution also attributed to their accumulation, which can subsequently become source secondary in aquatic environments. In Lake Gusinoe basin, located Russia, concentrations HMs were measured both bottom sediments within lake area, as well inflowing outflowing watercourses. Ecological indices calculated for basin. Our results showed that average Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb did not exceed maximum allowable (MACs) set Russian national standards WHO standards, while Mn Cu exceeded corresponding MACs during winter, spring, autumn possibly due decomposition vegetation influx from groundwater sources. investigated BSs background values. hazard index indicated low all samples area. For BS samples, geoaccumulation (Igeo) Pollution Load Index (PLI) levels, values Enrichment Factor (EF) Contamination (CF) moderate central part lake. Risk (Er) at points near major settlements Tel River pollution. Potential (RI) contamination.