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Spatial Trends of Trace-Element Contamination in Recently Deposited Lake Sediment Around the Ni–Cu Smelter at Nikel, Kola Peninsula, Russian Arctic

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Abstract

A large copper–nickel smelter complex is located at the Kole Penninsula, Russia, close to the Norwegian border. Trace-element concentrations in surface sediments (0–0.5 cm) and pre-industrial sediments from 45 lakes in the region were used to uncover spatial deposition patterns and contamination factor of sediments. Elevated concentrations were found, especially for Ni and Cu, but also for Pb, Co, Hg, As, and Cd. Highest concentrations were found up to 20 km from the smelter, but the concentrations decreased exponentially with distance from the smelter. Increasing Ni, Cu, As, and Hg concentrations from sub-surface to surface sediments were found for lakes at intermediate distances (20–60 km). This may reflect recent changes in atmospheric depositions, as shown in nearby Norwegian areas. However, we cannot rule out that this also may have been caused by diagenetic processes, especially for the most redox-sensitive elements such as As.

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Acknowledgments

The present work is partly funded by the Norwegian Minister of Environment and Ministry (RUS-09/036) under the program “Nordområdetiltak og prosjektsamarbeid til Russland”. The funding was administered by the Department for Russia, Eurasia and Regional cooperation, and the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In addition, contributions to the funding came from Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North (INEP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Sandvikaveien 59, No-2312, Ottestad, Norway

    Sigurd Rognerud

  2. Institute of Northern Industrial Ecology Problems (INEP), Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Science, Fersman St., 14a, Apatity, 184209, Murmansk Region, Russia

    Vladimir A. Dauvalter & Nickolay Kashulin

  3. Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalleen 21, No-0349, Oslo, Norway

    Eirik Fjeld & Brit Lisa Skjelkvåle

  4. Akvaplan-niva AS, Hjalmar Johansens Road 14, No-9007, Tromsø, Norway

    Guttorm Christensen

Authors
  1. Sigurd Rognerud
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  2. Vladimir A. Dauvalter
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  3. Eirik Fjeld
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  4. Brit Lisa Skjelkvåle
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  5. Guttorm Christensen
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  6. Nickolay Kashulin
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Correspondence to Sigurd Rognerud.

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Rognerud, S., Dauvalter, V.A., Fjeld, E. et al. Spatial Trends of Trace-Element Contamination in Recently Deposited Lake Sediment Around the Ni–Cu Smelter at Nikel, Kola Peninsula, Russian Arctic. AMBIO 42, 724–736 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0384-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0384-8

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