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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AS A FACTOR INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOR OF MERCURY IN THE SMALL RIVERS OF THE SUBARCTIC AREA OF THE EUROPEAN TERRITORY OF RUSSIA

Y.A. Fedorov, V.A. Savitsky, Alina Zimovets, Asya Ovsepyan

Abstract

The increased vulnerability of the aquatic landscapes of Subarctic of the European part of Russia to anthropogenic impact is a consequence of natural conditions and its geographical location. In this regard, the study of small rivers and their catchments which are remote from the direct influence of the industrial and residential zones is of particular interest to researchers, since they can be considered as background areas of the Subarctic. One of these rivers is Kyanda flowing into the Onega Bay of the White Sea. In the course of expeditionary research conducted in the warm season in the river Kyanda and its tributaries, unique data on the mercury content and the values of the basic physical and chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen content, pH and Eh) of the water in river and sea conditions was obtained. In this connection, the authors of this paper identified and studied the main factors and processes that determine the physical and chemical environment and influencing the spatial (along the transect пїЅriver пїЅ mouth seashore пїЅ bayпїЅ) and temporary (in different phases of the tide) distribution of mercury. Statistical analysis between the total mercury content, its dissolved and suspended migration forms and the basic physical and chemical parameters confirmed that the heterogeneity in the distribution of pH values and salinity has a significant effect on the mercury migration ability. These parameters are also a cause of the prevalence of particular inorganic mercury compounds in water. The high Pearson correlation coefficient between the various forms of the mercury migration content and pH values (and salinity to a greater extent) is confirmed this effect. The predominant inorganic mercury form in the water of the river Kyanda is mercury (II) chloride (HgCl2), which was revealed as a fact. An increase in the occurrence of mercury (II) tetrachloride пїЅ ([HgCl4]2-) to 80% was observed in the maximum tidal phase (high water). It was confirmed accordingly that the prevailing hydrological conditions is a significant factor in determining the behavior of mercury in the river Kyanda.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2017/51/s20.097

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