IMPACT OF THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL SITUATION AT CATCHMENTS ON THE MICROELEMENT COMPOSITION OF LAKE TELETSKOYE TRIBUTARIES’ WATERS

Abstract

Introduction. The formation of the microelement composition of surface waters in reservoirs and watercourses is determined by the biogeochemical processes in the catchment area. However, the schemes and mechanisms of interaction between watercourses and the soils drained by them have been studied insufficiently. Lake Teletskoye is the largest water reservoir of Altai, one of the deepest lakes in Russia, and its catchment area is 90 times larger than the area of the lake itself. Methods. We collected water samples in Lake Teletskoye tributaries during the summer low water period, in the estuaries of rivers. The ionic composition of waters and water extracts from soils (1:5) was determined using standard methods with a titrimetric finish. The content of trace elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, V) in filtered water samples, suspended water matter and water extracts from soils was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using electrothermal atomization on a SOLAAR M6 device. Results. The article presents the results of macro - and microelement composition studies of Lake Teletskoye tributaries’ waters. It is shown that the waters of the studied tributaries are characterized by a low total content of the main salt composition components. A dependence of the content and distribution of trace elements in the “water – suspended matter” system on the catchment landscape and geochemical features was found. Conclusion. The content of the water-soluble forms of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Co, V in Lake Teletskoye tributaries’ waters conforms to environmental and sanitary requirements. It was found that Fe, Zn and Cr migrate mainly as the soluble compounds, while Pb, Mn, Cu migrate mainly in suspension. It was revealed that the different soil cover structure of the eastern and western lake shores determines different conditions for the hydrochemical flow formation of their rivers and, as a result, forms the differences in the physical and chemical composition of the eastern and western tributaries’ waters.