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Overbank sediments from the surroundings of the Russian nickel mining and smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

 Top and bottom samples of overbank sediments were collected at 43 sites within a 12 000 km2 area around the nickel smelter in Nikel and the ore roasting plant at Zapoljarnij, in northwestern Russia. In addition, three detailed overbank profiles were sampled in 10-cm sections from three catchments representing different levels of pollution. All samples were analysed for more than 30 elements by ICP-AES following aqua regia extraction. Results obtained show that overbank sediments represent natural (geogenic) background levels rather well. Although the major pollutants (Co, Cu, Ni and S) are strongly enriched at some places close to industry, overbank sediment is not especially well suited for mapping the extent of airborne contamination in the area. Co, Cu, Ni and S are mobile within the profile collected from the most polluted catchment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 3006, Lade, N-7002 Trondheim, Norway, , , , , , NO

    T. Volden, C. Reimann & P. de Caritat

  2. Central Kola Expedition, Fersman St. 26, 184200 Apatity, Russia, , , , , , RU

    V. A. Pavlov

  3. Geological Survey of Finland, P.O. Box 77, FIN-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland, , , , , , FI

    M. Äyräs

Authors
  1. T. Volden
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  2. C. Reimann
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  3. V. A. Pavlov
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  4. P. de Caritat
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  5. M. Äyräs
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Received: 23 July 1996 · Accepted 18 October 1996

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Volden, T., Reimann, C., Pavlov, V. et al. Overbank sediments from the surroundings of the Russian nickel mining and smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Environmental Geology 32, 175–185 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540050205

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540050205

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