Assessment of heavy metals distribution and environmental risk parameters in bottom sediments of the Pechora River estuary (Arctic Ocean Basin)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the content of heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the estuary of the Pechora River, which is the largest river in the European Arctic of Russia. In addition to metals, the particle size distribution and physicochemical parameters of river sediments were analyzed, such as the content of carbonates, organics and ash components. Average concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of the Pechora Delta sediment have been found to be significantly lower than terrestrial values. The assessment of pollution and toxicity of sediments in the Pechora delta, made using various parameters Igeo, Cf, Cd, EF and ERI, showed a low level of heavy metals in bottom sediments, coupled with a low level of environmental risk. Despite the fact that high concentrations of heavy metals of anthropogenic origin are continuously recorded in the water of the Pechora River, (almost throughout the entire length), there is no accumulation of pollutants in the sediments of the delta. Thus, the estuary of the Pechora River, unlike other large estuary systems, does not act as a filter or sediment trap, which contributes to the penetration of heavy metals deep into the Barents Sea and the widespread distribution of pollutants in the ecosystems of the Arctic.

Keywords: Arctic Ocean Basin; Pechora River estuary; Pollution assessment; Sediments; Trace metals.