The Evolution of Redox Conditions in Isolated Water Bodies of Poria Gub Bay and Kandalaksh Coast of the White Sea

Abstract

The article presents the results of hydrochemical studies of waterbodies with varying degrees of development of anaerobic conditions (up to the appearance of meromixia with sulfide anoxia) in the Porya Guba Bay (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, Kandalaksha State Nature Reserve). It is shown that these waterbodies, which are at different stages of isolation from the sea, have a unique hydrological and hydrochemical structure, formed at a certain stage of their evolution. The vertical stratification of water, with the development of all phenomena accompanying stagnation, is more pronounced in the most distant parts of their water area from the sea, where elevated contents of hydrogen sulfide (up to 16.5 mg/L), phosphates, silicon, nitrite, and ammonium nitrogen are noted in bottom anaerobic water. However, the concentrations of all major ions are comparable to those in seawater and hardly chance at all vertically. Analysis of the distribution of the hydrochemical parameters of the distant reaches of Ozerki Lagoon made it possible to conclude that, due to changes that have occurred with this waterbody over the past 90 years, it can now most likely be classified as meromictic.