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MERCURY IN THE BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF THE CASCADE WATER SYSTEM OF THE AZOV SEA BASIN
Abstract
The cascade water system of the Azov Sea basin is a set of geochemical barriers. Here, water masses of different mineralization mix, and the hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions change. As a result, there is a sharp change in the physical, chemical, and biogeochemical characteristics of all components of the aquatic ecosystem, including bottom sediments. Bottom sediments are a more conservative component of the aquatic landscape in comparison with the water mass. The content of pollutants in the samples taken from the bottom sediment section may reflect not only the current ecological state of the water body but also what existed in retrospect at the time of their burial. The analysis of disparate data on the mercury content in bottom sediments obtained in the period from 1991 to 2017 is carried out. The trend of decreasing metal concentrations in bottom sediments in the entire cascade water system is determined. The frequency of mercury concentrations in three sediment horizons (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm) was estimated. It is determined that the bottom sediments of the research area belong to the low and medium range of impact. In the Taganrog Bay, in 3% of cases, excess permissible concentrations are noted. The vertical distribution of metal in the columns of bottom sediments with a thickness of 20 to 50 cm is analyzed. Taking into account the analysis of the depth of sampling of bottom sediments in the lower reaches of the Don River and the rates of their sedimentation, it can be assumed that, excluding the delta section of the cascade system, the levels of gross mercury were formed in them under the influence of human activity. The role of the hydrodynamic factor in the formation of mercury levels in bottom sediments is shown in the example of the station in the Taganrog Bay. It is determined that during the intensive mixing of the water mass, the metal concentration in the upper layer of precipitation is 2 times lower than during the relative calm.
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