Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Soil geochemistry in relation to water chemistry and sensitivity to acid deposition in Finnish Lapland

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ecosystems in Finnish Lapland are threatened by heavy metal pollution and acid deposition derived from emissions of Cu-Ni smelters in Kola Peninsula and to varying extent to pollution from southern Fennoscandian and Central European sources. Extensive chemical analyses of small lake waters collected in Finnish Lapland have demonstrated that a significant number of lakes are acidified (ANC < 0μcq/l) or their buffering capacity is critical (ANC = 0–50μe/l). The relative abundance of mafic, ultramafic and carbonate rock components in the catchment were the chief factors controlling ANC and the main base cation (Ca2+, Mg2+) concentrations of lake waters. Both humic and clearwater lakes with low buffering capacity (ANC < 50μeq/l) were mainly located in the catchment areas identified as sensitive to acidification on the basis of low content of base cations (Ca2+ +Mg2+ +K+ < 500 meq/kg) in till. The ratio of the catchment area to the lake area was distinctly smaller for acidic lakes than for the well-buffered lakes, indicating the importance of catchment processes in determining the ANC and main base cations. The high sulphur concentrations (median 60μeq/1) of acidic lakes in northeastern Lapland, near the Finnish-Norwegian border, were strongly correlated with the highest deposition of sulphur derived from smelters of Kola Peninsula. The anomalously high concentrations of sulphur of well-buffered lakes in the western part of Lapland were due to sulphide minerals of soil and bedrock. The acidity of humic lakes in southern Lapland was in large part due to the organic acidity derived from peatlands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahlsved, C., Lampio, T., and Tarvainen, T.: 1991,J. Geochem. Explor. 41, 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakke, D.F., Landers, D.H., and Eilers, J.M.: 1988,Environ. Sci. Technol. 22, 155–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakke, D.E., Henriksen, A., and Norton, S.A.: 1989,Water Resour Bull. 25, 247–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brakke, D.E., Henriksen, A., and Norton, S.A.: 1990,Verh. Internat Verein. Limnol. 24, 146–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forsius, M., Kämäri, J., Kortelainen, P., Mannio, J., Verta, M., and Kinnunen, K.: 1990, ‘Statistical lake survey in Finland: Regional estimates of lake acidification’, in Kauppi, P. Anttila and K. Kenttämies (eds.),Acidification in Finland. Springer, Berlin, pp. 759–780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forsius, M.: 1993, ‘Acidification of lakes in Finland: Regional estimates of lake chemistry and critical loads’. Reprint. Publications of the Water and Environment Research Institute, National Board of Waters and the Environment, Finland. No 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A., and Brakke, D.F.: 1988,Environ. Sci. Technol. 22, 8–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A., Lien, L., Traaen, T.S., and Brakke, D.F.: 1988,Ambio 17, 259–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirvas, H., Alftan, A., Pulkkinen, E., Puranen, R., and Tynni, R.: 1977,Geol. Surv. Finland, Rep. Invest. 19, p. 54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirvas, H.: 1991,Geol. Surv. Finland, Bull. 354, p. 123.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO/DIS 11466. Soil quality - Extraction of trace metals soluble in aqua regia. International Organization for Standardization 1992, p. 8.

  • Järvinen, O., and Vänni, T.: 1990, ‘Bulk deposition chemistry in Finland’, in P. Kauppi, P. Anttila, and K. Kenttdmies (eds.),Acidification in Finland. Springer, Berlin, pp. 151–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kettles, I.M., Shilts, W.W., and Coker, W.B.: 1991,Journal of Geochemical Exploration 41, 29–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnunen, K.: 1987, Nickel content in some lake sediments and sedimentating material in the Northern Lapland. Memorandum in Finnish, 22.06.1987. Water and Environment District of Lapland, p. 5.

  • Kinnunen, K.: 1990, ‘Acidification of waters in Finnish Lapland’, in K. Kinnunen and M. Varmola (eds.),Effect of air pollutants and acidification in combination with climatic factors on forest, soils and waters in northern Fennoscandia. Report from a workshop held in Rovaniemi, Finland, 17–19 October, 1988. Mijørapport 2, Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, pp. 72–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnunen, K., and Varmola, M. (eds.): 1990,Effect of air pollutants and acidification in combination with climatic factors on forest, soils and waters in northern Fennoscandia. Report from a workshop held in Rovaniemi, Finland, 17–19 October, 1988. Mijørapport 2, Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, p. 240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnunen, K.: 1992, ‘Acidification of the waters in northern Fennoscandia and Kola Peninsula’, in E. Tikkanen, M. Varmola and T. Katerma (eds.)Symposium on the State of the Environmental Monitoring in Northern Fennoscandia and Kola Peninsula. 6–8 October, 1992, Rovaniemi, Finland. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland pp. 123–132.

  • Kontio, M., and Kähkönen, A.-M.: ‘Geochemistry and variations of the sensitivity of soils to acidification in northern Finland’; in E. Pulkkinen, E. (ed.),Environmental Geochemistry in Northern Europe. Proceedings of the First Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry in Northern Europe held in Rovaniemi, Finland 17–19 October, 1989. Geol. Surv. Finland,Special Paper 9, 53–60.

  • Kortelainen, P., and Mannio, J.: 1990, ‘Organic acidity in Finnish lakes’, in P. Kauppi, P. Anttila and K. Kenttamies (eds.),Acidification in Finland. Springer, Berlin, pp. 849–864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kortelainen, P.: 1993, ‘Contribution of organic acids to the acidity of Finnish lakes’, Publication of the Water and Environment Research Institute, National Board of Waters and the Environment, Finland, p. 48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kujansuu, R.: 1967,Bull. Comm. Geol. Finlande 232, p. 98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kujansuu, R., and Niemelä, J.: 1984, ‘Quaternary deposits of Finland 1 : 1 000 000’. Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo.

  • Kähkönen, A.-M.: 1992, ‘Till geochemistry and sensitivity to acidification of lakes in northern Finland’, in E. Tikkanen, M. Varmola and T. Katermaa (eds.),Symposium on the State of the Environmental Monitoring in Northern Fennoscandia and Kola Peninsula. 6–8 October, 1992, Rovaniemi, Finland. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, pp. 141–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kähkönen, A.-M.: 1994, ‘Acid-sensitivity of lakes and the geochemistry of till fines in catchments of northern Finland’. Publications of the Water and Environment Research Institute, National Board of Waters and the Environment, Finland. p. 72 (in prep.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kämäri, J.: 1984,Sensitivity of small oligotrophic Finnish lakes to acidification (in Finnish). National Board of Waters and the Environment. Helsinki, Report 239, p. 85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kämäri, J.: 1985,Aqua Fenn. 15, 11–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kämäri, J.: 1986,Aqua Fenn. 16, 211–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kämäri, J., Forsius, M., Johansson, and Posch, M.: 1992,Critical loads for acidifying deposition in Finland. Ministry of Environment. p. 59.

  • Lachance, M., Bobee, B., and Grimard, Y.: 1985,Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 25, 115–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahermo, P.: 1991,Geol. Surv. Finland, Rep. Invest. 105, 47–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landers, D.H., Eilers, J.M., Brakke, D.F., Overton, W.S., Kellar, P.E., Silverstein, M.E., Schonbrod, R.D., Crowe, R.E.; Linthurst, R.A., Omemik, J.M., Teague, S.A., and Meier, E.P.: 1987,Characteristics of lakes in Western United States. Volume 1. Population descriptions and physicochemical relationships. EPA/600/3-86/054a. Washington, D.C. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landers, D.H., Overtone, W.S., Linthurst, R.A., and Brakke, D.F.: 1988,Environ. Sci. Technol. 22, 128–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linthurst, R.A., Landers, D.H., Eilers, J.M., Brakke, D.F., Overton, W.S., Meier, E.P., and Crowe, E.E.: 1986,Characteristics of lakes in Eastern United States. Volume 1. Population descriptions and physico-chemical relationships. EPA/600/4-86/00 Washington, D.C. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mast, M.A., Drever, J.I., and Baron, J.: 1990,Water Resources Research vol. 26, No. 12, 2971–2978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, J., and Grennfelt, P. (eds.): 1988, ‘Critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen’, Mijorapport 1988:15, Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, Denmark.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, B.G., Thruman, E.M., and Malcom, R.L.: 1983,Geochim. et Cosmochim, Acta 47, 2031–2035.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omernik, J.M., and Powers, C.F.: 1982,Total alkalinity of surface waters — national map. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon. EPA-600/D-82-333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paavilainen, E., and Tiihonen, P.: 1988,Folia Forestalia 714, p. 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posch, M., Forsius, M., and Kämäri, J.: 1992,Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 65.

  • Pulkkinen, E. (ed.): 1991, Environmental Geochemistry in Northern Europe. Proceedings of the First Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry in Northern Europe held in Rovaniemi, Finland 17–19 October, 1989. Geol. Surv. Finland,Special Paper. 9, 321.

  • Raatikainen, M., and Kuusisto, E.: 1988,Terra 102:2, 97–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rühling, Å., Rasmussen, L., Pilegaard, K., Mäkinen, A., and Steinnes, E.:1987,Survey of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Nordic Countries in 1985. NORD 21, p. 44.

  • Räisänen, M.L., and Pulkkinen, E.: 1991, ‘Soil acidification in the Naruska region of eastern Finnish Lapland’, in E. Pulkkinen, E. (ed.), Environmental Geochemistry in Northern Europe. Proceedings of the First Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry in Northern Europe held in Rovaniemi, Finland 17–19 October, 1989. Geol. Surv. Finland,Special Paper. 9, 87–98.

  • Räisänen, M.L., Hämäläinen, L., and Westerberg, L.-M.: 1991,Analyst. vol. 177, 623–627.

    Google Scholar 

  • Räisänen, M.-L., Tenhola, M., and Mäkinen, J.: 1992,Geol Surv. Finland, Bulletin 64, Part I, 35–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saarnisto, M., and Tamminen, E.: 1987, ‘Placer gold in Finnish Lapland, in R. Kujansuu and M. Saarnisto (eds.) INQUA Till Symposium, Finland, Geol. Surv. Finland,Special Paper 3, 181–194.

  • Salminen, R.: 1994,Geol. Surv. Finland, Rep. Invest. (in prep.).

  • Saltikoff, B., and Tarvainen, T.: 1990, ‘Exploration databases at the geochemical survey of Finland’, in G. Gaal and D.F. Merriam (eds.),Computer applications in resource estimation. Prediction and assessment for metals and petroleum. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp. 409–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandnes, H., and Styve, H.: 1992, ‘Calculates budgets for airborne acidifying components in Europe 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991’. Det Norske Meteorologiske Institut.Technical Report No. 97.

  • Simonen, A.: 1980,Geol. Surv. Finland, Bull 304, p. 58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: 1991,Monitor 12, p. 144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tikkanen, E., Varmola, M., and Katermaa, T. (eds.): 1992,Symposium on the State of the Environmental Monitoring in Northern Fennoscandia and Kola Peninsula, 6–8 October, 1992, Rovaniemi, Finland. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, p. 369.

  • Traaen, IS., Moiseenko, T., Dauvalter, V., Rognerud, S., Henriksen, A., and Kudravseva, L.: 1991, ‘Acidification of surface waters, nickel and copper in water and lake sediments in Russian-Norwegian border areas’.Progress report for 1989–1990. Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, p. 20.

  • Traaen, TS., Henriksen, A., Moiseenko, T., and Wright, R.R: 1992, ‘Lake monitoring, critical load of sulphur and modelling of future acidity for several sulphur reduction scenarios in Norwegia-Russian border areas’, in E. Tikkanen, M. Varmola and T Katermaa (eds.),Symposium on the State of the Environmental Monitoring in Northern Fennoscandia and Kola Peninsula, 6–8 October, 1992, Rovaniemi, Finland. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, pp. 161–164.

  • Tuovinen, J.-P., and Laurila, T.: 1992, ‘Key aspects of sulphur pollution in northernmost Europe’, in E. Tikkanen, M. Varmola and T. Katermaa (eds.),Symposium on the State of the Environmental Monitoring in Northern Fennoscandia and Kola Peninsula, 6–8 October, 1992, Rovaniemi, Finland. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, pp. 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuovinen, J.-P., Lättilä, H., Ryaboshapko, A., Brukhanov, P., and Korolev, S.: 1993,Atmospheric Environment, vol.27 A, No. 9., 1379–1395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, M.J.: 1986,J. Geol. Soc. 143. London, pp. 691–697.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Finland, Regional Office for Northern Finland, P.O. Box 77, 96101, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Anne-Maj Kähkönen

Authors
  1. Anne-Maj Kähkönen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kähkönen, AM. Soil geochemistry in relation to water chemistry and sensitivity to acid deposition in Finnish Lapland. Water Air Soil Pollut 87, 311–327 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696844

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696844

Keywords

Search

Navigation