Bl. Skjelkvale et al., Heavy metal surveys in Nordic lakes: Concentrations, geographic patterns and relation to critical limits, AMBIO, 30(1), 2001, pp. 2-10
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology,"Environmental Engineering & Energy
In the autumn of 1995, coordinated national lake surveys were conducted in
the Nordic countries, including Russian Kola. The 11 metals (Pb, Cd, As, Zn
, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, V) investigated in nearly 3000 lakes have general
ly low concentrations and distinct geographical patterns. Direct and indire
ct influence of long-range transported air pollution is the major important
factor for distribution of Pb, Cd, Zn and to a certain degree Co. Total or
ganic carbon (TOC) concentrations in lakes are important for Fe and Mn but
also to a certain degree for As, Cr and V. Bedrock geology is the-major con
trolling factor for Cu and Ni, with the exception of areas around the smelt
ers in the Kola peninsula, where the Cu and Ni concentrations in lakes are
very high due to local airborne pollution. Bedrock and surficial geology is
also an important factor for controlling the concentrations of As, Co, Cr
and V. The results indicate that heavy metal pollution in lakes is a minor
ecological problem on a regional scale in the Nordic countries.