T. I. Moiseenko

The fate of metals in Arctic surface waters. Method for defining critical levels.

Based upon studies in the industrially developed Arctic region, Russian Kola, here we discuss the fate of metals in high latitude surface water. Mainly, attention is paid to the priority pollutants from copper-nickel smelters. The influence of accompanying processes, such as acidification and eutrophication, on metal behavior is considered. The dramatic situation for fauna of Arctic latitudes is illustrated: (i) during the snow-melt, due to the pulse of ionic metal forms; and (ii) during the long polar winter in lower water layers, due to the involvement of a wide spectrum of metals in the redox-cycle under eutrophication and oxygen deficiency. Here we identify fish pathologies, which are related to the influence of metals. Generalizing the data on metal behavior, an original approach to define the integrated impact dose of metals--a toxicity index--has been developed. It presents a visualization of the integrated toxicity index for surface waters of the Russian Kola (based on the data for a 460-lake survey). As shown, there is a risk of fish diseases, due to both airborne contamination by metals and an indirect leaching by acid runoff over almost 30% of the area of the Russian Kola. For the Arctic region, polar winter stress syndrome will be repeatedly significant. During the polar night, as well as the spring, the vulnerability of the Arctic biota to toxic impact is higher. The accompaniment of water metal-pollution by two or more stressors would occur simultaneously, thereby multiplying the risk that it could develop.

Ecotoxicological assessment of water quality and ecosystem health: A case study of the Volga River

A comprehensive assessment is presented of the ecotoxicological situation in the Volga River basin from the viewpoint of ecosystem health. Concentrations of organic and inorganic toxic substances in water are reported. Basic clinical and postmortem signs of fish intoxication are described; changes in the cellular structure of their organs and tissues, as well as disturbances in hemogenesis, developing under the effect of toxic agents, are characterized. The comparative characteristics of several microelements (Ni, Cu, Sr, Al, Zn, Co, Mn, Pb, Cd, Hg, As) found in fish are presented. The main disturbances to fish caused by the accumulation of microelements in their organs and tissues are also considered. Based on dose-effect dependencies calculated with respect to the total concentration of toxic substances, standardized to MPC, and fish health criteria, cases that exceed the critical levels of pollutants are demonstrated for the investigated river sections.

The distribution of trace elements in surface continental waters and the character of their migration in water

The results of studying the elemental composition of surface continental waters in the European Russia from tundra to arid zone are discussed. The relative concentrations of elements in the solid residue of waters from various natural-climatic zones are evaluated, and the enrichment or dispersion of continental waters by these elements are analyzed as compared with their clarkes in the rocks that occur in the catchment areas. The coefficients of migration in water are evaluated, and the major elements with respect to which surface waters enrich under anthropogenic load are identified. The territorial distribution of higher concentrations of the most hazardous elements in waters of lakes is characterized.

Aquatic ecotoxicology: Theoretical principles and practical application

Aquatic ecotoxicology is defined as a scientific discipline, studying the properties and behavior of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, as well as the impact of pollutants on organisms, populations, and communities. The history of evolution and development of this discipline is considered, and its theoretical foundations are formulated. The role of aquatic ecotoxicology in solving practical problems related to the substantiation of the criteria for water quality assessment and standardization of human-induced water contamination is demonstrated.

Zonal features of the formation of water chemistry in small lakes in European Russia

Appreciable observational data were used to reveal zonal features of the formation of the chemical composition of waters in small lakes on the territory of European Russia along a transect from tundra to the arid zone. Inter-zonal variability in the parameters of the chemical composition of waters is determined. Zonal differentiation according to hydrochemical parameters is substantiated. The main differentiating elements of the chemical composition of waters in different natural-climatic zones are distinguished. The contribution of the main natural and anthropogenic factors, determining the present-day processes of water formation is analyzed. Different degrees of the effect of non-zonal factors (including anthropogenic ones) on the formation of the chemical composition of lake waters in the humid and arid zones are demonstrated.

Zonal features of lake acidification

Zonal features of water acidification in small lakes of European Russia are analyzed. The conditions under which the process can develop are evaluated. Studies of water chemistry variations and formulation of various criteria used to assess water acidification made it possible to prove the development of the process in the humid part of the area under study, i.e., in tundra, taiga, and forest regions. The leading natural and anthropogenic factors, whose combination governs the acidification mechanism and secondary effects are discussed. The concentrations of some metals (Al, Zn, Pb, and others) are proved to increase in waters with low pH, as well as at an increase in water color index. Critical loads of acid precipitation are evaluated and the values of their exceedance in lakes in different natural-climatic zones.

Anthropogenic transformations of the Arctic ecosystem of Lake Imandra: Tendencies for recovery after long period of pollution

Transformation of an Arctic aquatic ecosystem (a case study of Lake Imandra) under the impact of a mining industrial complex is considered. Water chemical composition and the ecosystem’s structural components (phyto- and zooplankton, zoobenthos, and ichthiofauna) are analyzed for the following periods: the preindustrial background (reference) conditions, industrial development of mineral resources and strong anthropogenic impact, industrial recession and decreased anthropogenic impact, and stabilization. The main regularities of the aquatic ecosystem successions under the conditions of anthropogenic loads and their decrease are established.

Petroleum hydrocarbon runoff in rivers flowing from oil-and-gas-producing regions in Northwestern Siberia

A method is proposed for evaluating the overland and river runoff of petroleum hydrocarbons originating from disperse pollution sources. The method is used to calculate their export from oil-and-gas-producing areas in Northwestern Siberia through the Pur River, a major artery in the Arctic region. The potential petroleum hydrocarbon input into the river is evaluated for different extent of petroleum pollution in the drainage basins of its tributaries.

Evolution of biogeochemical cycles under anthropogenic loads: Limits impacts

Human activities pathogenically modify biogeochemical cycles via introducing vast amounts of chemical elements and compounds into biotic cycles and inducing evolutionary transformations of the organic world of the biosphere. The adverse phenomena develop cascadewise, as is illustrated by the increase in the content of carbon dioxide and acid-forming compounds, enrichment of aquatic environments by metals, and pollution with persistent organic pollutants and biogenic elements. Analogies with the past are utilized to estimate the possible implications of the evolution of anthropogenically induced processes. The organic world is proved to react to anthropogenic impacts by means of active microevolutionary processes. The key reaction mechanisms of organisms and transformations of populations and ecosystems under the modified conditions are demonstrated. A review of literature data is used to show how anthropogenic emissions of CO2, NOx, P, toxic compounds and elements increases on a global scale, and how ocean acidification, eutrophication, water withdrawal, etc. are simultaneously enhanced. The methodology of estimating anthropogenic loads is discussed as a scientifically grounded strategy of minimizing anthropogenic impacts on natural ecosystems.

Water pollution effect on population health in an industrial northern region

The pollution of water sources and drinking water in some towns and settlements of the Kola North by metals, wastewaters, and aerial effluents of mining-and-metallurgical industry is characterized. Statistical data on population morbidity are given. Relationships were found to exist between water quality indices and heavy metal accumulation in kidney and liver of postmortem-examined patients, and the results of their histological, clinical, and postmortem examination are given. The results of comprehensive studies are used to assess the effect of drinking water pollution on the population health in the region.