The Spatial Distribution of Characterised Fly-Ash Particles and Trace Metals in Lake Sediments and Catchment Mosses in the United Kingdom

Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP) and trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, V and Zn) were analysed from 75 lake surface sediments across the UK. Trace metals were additionally analysed from catchment mosses (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) from 43 of the sites but were absent from the remainder. Spatial distribution of SCP concentration and trace metal concentrations in sediments and mosses showed good agreement with each other and with known emission sources. Particles were allocated to their fuel-type and spatial trends in these data showed good agreement with potential sources. High areas of oil particle deposition were identified in the south-east of England, Merseyside, Galloway / Northern Ireland, the Firth of Forth and eastern Scotland. Oil SCP concentrations showed good agreement with Ni and V concentrations in mosses suggesting an atmospheric source for these metals from the combustion of this fuel. Characterised SCP trends also showed good agreement with predictions from models such as HARM and EMEP. Most high deposition areas of metals and particles were found to coincide with population centres suggesting a possible impact on human health.     

The Spatial Distribution of Characterised Fly-Ash Particles and Trace Metals in Lake Sediments and Catchment Mosses: Estonia

The concentrations of fly-ash particles were studied in the surface sediments of 42 lakes in Estonia. Concentrations of both spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs) and inorganic ash spheres (IASs) were determined and the particles chemically characterised to different fuel types. This was accompanied by trace metal analyses from lake surface sediments and catchment mosses in order to determine the distribution of atmospheric pollutants. The obtained spatial distribution data for fly-ash particles varied to a great extent, partly due to differences in sedimentation rates but mainly due to higher deposition in industrial areas. The distribution patterns of the different particle types in lake sediments, as well as the trace metals in mosses, show that the deposition of airborne particulates is of local origin around pollution sources and that the share of long-range transported atmospheric impurities is high along the main cyclonic routes in Estonia.     

The Spatial Distribution of Characterized Fly-Ash Particles and Trace Metals in Lake Sediments and Catchment Mosses: Czech Republic

As a part of the FLAME research project funded by the EU COPERNICUS programme (1994-1996) samples of surface sediments were taken from 31 man-made lakes and one natural lake in the Czech Republic. The sites differ considerably in their altitude, area, catchment, depth, retention time, trophic status, and in parameters of local air pollution. The samples were analysed for concentration of spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP, numbers per gram dry mass of sediment), a characteristic component of industrial fly-ash. The extracted carbonaceous particles were allocated according to the fuel-types combusted throughout Europe (coal, oil, brown coal, peat, oil shale) using particle chemistries derived by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Trace metals were also analysed in the surface sediments as were mosses sampled at the study sites. The main objectives of the study were (i) to look for factors determining SCP concentrations in surface sediments of lakes, with special emphasis on the distribution of large fossil-fuel combustion sources (ii) to compare fuel-type allocation of carbonaceous particles with combustion of these fuels within the country, (iii) to look for trends in spatial distribution of trace metals and (iv) to characterize the impact of airborne particles from these sources on environmental and human health. The SCP concentrations show little or no relation to air-pollution parameters on a small scale, although some large-scale effects are evident. A good relationship was, however, found to site characteristics such as altitude and lake area : catchment area. The reason, why this relationship is more apparent from our dataset than from any other study published so far, is likely to be based on the high variation in the physical parameters (altitude, lake and catchment area) of the sites under study. The distribution of particles attributed to brown coal combustion are in good agreement with the distribution of major air pollution sources across the country but the fraction of particles attributed to coal seems to be overestimated by the present technique. The distribution of trace metals in surface sediments are also in agreement with expected sources. The usefulness of SCP concentrations as indicators of stress to human and environmental health is briefly discussed.     

The Flame Research Project: Introduction and Methods

The FLAME (FLy-Ash and Metals in Europe: Implications for human and environmental health) research project funded by the EU COPERNICUS programme ran from 1994 to 1996. The main aims of the programme were to further develop an automated chemical characterisation to discriminate between fly-ash particles from the major fossil-fuels used throughout Europe (coal, oil, peat, brown coal and oil shale) and apply this to particles extracted from lake sediments taken from the four participating countries (Estonia, Czech Republic, Ireland and U.K.) in order to determine spatial distributions of deposited particulates from large combustion sources. In combination with trace metal analyses from lake surface sediments and catchment mosses, the fly-ash particle data were able to identify areas of elevated pollutant deposition and suggest potential sources for them. Given the transboundary nature of the pollutants, the techniques and results of FLAME are of relevance throughout Europe. Other papers in this volume describe results and interpretation. This paper describes the background and aims of the FLAME project, outlines the methods employed for sampling sediments and mosses and the analytical techniques for particle enumeration and trace metal analysis for sediments and mosses. Finally brief details of the particle characterisation are given showing how a hierarchical discriminant function was developed, based on energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) derived particle chemistry which correctly allocated particles from the five fuel-types with 80% accuracy.     

Environmental biogeochemistry of mercury in Antarctic ecosystems

Polar regions are recognized as important sinks for long-range transport and deposition of Hg derived from natural and anthropogenic sources at lower latitudes. In previous studies we found enhanced Hg accumulation in soils, mosses and lichens from ice-free areas of Victoria Land facing the Terra Nova Bay coastal polynya. This study extends research to the distribution of organic C, total N, S, Hg, Al and Fe in surface soils, cyanobacterial mats and short sediment cores from four lacustrine ecosystems, each with different environmental characteristics and varying distances from the polynya. Results show that planktonic and benthic mats from lakes, along with mosses in the watershed, are the main sinks for Hg in summer meltwater. The C-normalized Hg concentrations in short sediment cores were higher in samples from lakes more exposed to marine aerosols from the coastal polynya. Reactive halogens in the aerosol promote the oxidation and deposition of atmospheric Hg in coastal ecosystems. The analysis of sediment cores did not reveal increasing Hg concentrations in recent sediments, except in the Lake 14 at Edmonson Point. The latter ice-free area is unaffected by the polynya and the increase in Hg concentrations in surface sediments could be due to local changes in lake water level and S biogeochemistry. Although change in sea ice coverage may enhance the role of Antarctic coastal ecosystems as sink in the global Hg cycle, our results seem to exclude possible risks for Antarctic terrestrial and freshwater organisms.     

The use of moss,lichen and pine bark in the nationwide monitoring of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Finland

Mosses, lichens and pine bark were compared as indicators of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Finland. The samples were collected from the nationwide sampling network systematically covering the country as a whole. All three bioindicators showed a fairly similar result concerning heavy metal deposition. The major emission sources and the areas affected were reflected in the metal concentrations in the samples. However, there were differences between the accumulation of metals. The correlation between concentrations in mosses and lichens was generally higher than that between mosses and bark or lichens and bark. Concentrations in lichens were the highest and lichens reflected the regional differences in background areas as well as the local emission sources. The concentrations in the mosses were slightly lower than those in lichens and also the mosses pinpointed the emission sources and the extend of the areas polluted. Bark had the lowest concentrations and bark did not generally reveal regional differences as well as mosses and lichens. In spite of the differences, all three bioindicators proved to be suitable for monitoring atmospheric heavy metal deposition.     

Environmental Impacts in the Jianghan Plain: Evidence from Lake Sediments

There is growing concern about the environmental impact of rapid economic growth in China. The problem is compounded by the scarcity of baseline data on the state of China's natural environment. As a step towards solving this problem, palaeolimnological methods have been applied to seven lakes in the Jianghan Plain, China, to evaluate recent changes in human impact. Lake sediment cores show enhanced concentrations of fossil fuel derived spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP) and Pb at all sites across the Jianghan Plain. The distribution of these industrial contaminants shows the overwhelming influence of the industrial cities. Wuhan dominates the fossil fuel derived pollution, while the copper smelter at Daye dominates the heavy metal pollution. Analysis of sediment diatom assemblages indicates mean total phosphorus concentrations of greater than 40 μg L-1 P in the lakes of the more intensely agricultural western part of the Jianghan Plain. The sediment concentration profiles for biogenic elements at these sites indicates a post-1960 eutrophication. Evidence for eutrophication in the eastern lakes is much weaker, though some evidence is present at all sites. The tracers of industrial pollution (Pb and SCP) correlate with Mn in the many of the lake sediments. This is compatible with both soil acidification, and soil gleyification due to intensified rice production.     

Variation in the geochemistry of recent lake sediments along a west east pollution gradient in the Bergen area, Norway

Twenty nine lakes were sampled on a 62 km long west-east transect near Bergen, Norway from Sotra in the west to Norheimsund in the east. Top and bottom samples of 29 sediment cores, 20–40 cm long, were collected and 17 chemical elements were measured. Sphaeroidal carbonaceous particles from fossil fuel origin were counted in the surface sediments. The study was designed to answer two questions: (1) Does lake-sediment composition reflect variations in local atmospheric pollution? (2) What factors explain the observed variation in concentration of chemical elements along this transect? Ca, Cr, Mg, and Ni concentrations along the transect appear to result from differences in the content of these elements in bedrock. Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the top sediments are dominated by input from anthropogenic sources. Variation of Cd, Fe, and Zn in the top sediments seems to be dependent on variation in lake-water pH. Hg and Zn from anthropogenic sources probably result from long-transported pollution. Pb and carbonaceous particles from anthropogenic sources possibly have a local origin.     

Fluxes,pools, and turnover of mercury in Swedish forest lakes

In boreal forest lakes, high Hg concentrations in fish are common, even in remote areas. In this paper, the effects of atmospheric Hg pollution in Sweden are synthesized and related to a concept based on the strong interaction of Hg with biogenic matter (Hg/B). Based on this concept, a compartment model is developed to predict concentrations, pool sizes, flux rates and turnover times of Hg along the biogeochemical cycle, including atmosphere, forest soils, surface runoff, lake waters, and aquatic biota. The aim is to provide a conceptual framework, both for a comprehensive mechanistic model, and for predictions from readily available information, such as regional data on acid deposition, air temperature and surface runoff, and local data on the trophic status of lakes with respect to humus and nutrient concentrations. The model is in good agreement with observations from recent Swedish field studies in all compartments. It suggests a strong influence of climate on the susceptibility of soil and lake ecosystems in the boreal region to Hg contamination. The high Hg concentrations in fish from forest lakes can be largely attributed to the low productivity of both terrestrial and aquatic biota. The impact of historical point sources of Hg is considered, as well as the slow turnover of Hg in forest soils, both resulting in elevated fish Hg levels in humic lakes for centuries following atmospheric deposition.     

The coupling of mercury and organic matter in the biogeochemical cycle — towards a mechanistic model for the boreal forest zone

In boreal forest lakes, high Hg concentrations in fish are common, even in remote areas. In this paper, the effects of atmospheric Hg pollution in Sweden are synthesized and related to a concept based on the strong interaction of Hg with biogenic matter (Hg/B). Based on this concept, a compartment model is developed to predict concentrations, pool sizes, flux rates and turnover times of Hg along the biogeochemical cycle, including atmosphere, forest soils, surface runoff, lake waters, and aquatic biota. The aim is to provide a conceptual framework, both for a comprehensive mechanistic model, and for predictions from readily available information, such as regional data on acid deposition, air temperature and surface runoff, and local data on the trophic status of lakes with respect to humus and nutrient concentrations. The model is in good agreement with observations from recent Swedish field studies in all compartments. It suggests a strong influence of climate on the susceptibility of soil and lake ecosystems in the boreal region to Hg contamination. The high Hg concentrations in fish from forest lakes can be largely attributed to the low productivity of both terrestrial and aquatic biota. The impact of historical point sources of Hg is considered, as well as the slow turnover of Hg in forest soils, both resulting in elevated fish Hg levels in humic lakes for centuries following atmospheric deposition.     

Mercury Sedimentation in Lakes in Western Whatcom County, Washington, USA and its Relation to Local Industrial and Municipal Atmospheric Sources

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were measured in six dated cores from four lakes in western Whatcom County, Washington, USA, that were at various bearings from a chlor-alkali plant, two municipal waste incinerators and a municipal sewage sludge incinerator. The importance of atmospheric emissions of Hg from these local municipal and industrial sources was evaluating by comparing the temporal trends in sedimentation of the lake cores with the emission history of each Hg species and by examining the geographical distribution of Hg sedimentation in relation to the region’s primary wind pattern. Local municipal and industrial sources of atmospheric Hg were not responsible for the majority of the Hg in the upper layer of sediments of Whatcom County lakes because of (1) the significant enrichment of Hg in lake sediments prior to emissions of local industrial and municipal sources in 1964, (2) smaller increases in Hg concentrations occurred after 1964, (3) the similarity of maximum enrichments found in Whatcom County lakes to those in rural lakes around the world, (4) the inconsistency of the temporal trends in Hg sedimentation with the local emission history, and (5) the inconsistency of the geographic trends in Hg sedimentation with estimated deposition. Maximum enrichment ratios of Hg in lake sediments between 2 and 3 that are similar to rural areas in Alaska, Minnesota, and New England suggest that global sources of Hg were primarily responsible for increases of Hg in Whatcom County lakes beginning about 1900.     

Size Distributions and Concentrations of Spheroidal Carbonaceous Fly-Ash Particles (SCPs) in Lake Sediments as an Aid to Detecting Locally Deposited Atmospheric Pollution

Size distributions and concentrations of spheroidal carbonaceous fly-ash particles (SCPs) > 5 μm have been counted in surface sediments from 20 lakes along a 62 km west-east transect in the Bergen area, Norway. Increased concentrations of SCPs are found in lakes immediately downwind, closest to the city. These lakes also have a dominance of larger particles (> 10 μm) than further downwind where smaller particles (5–10 μm) dominate. The pattern of SCPs > 5 μm is compared with a previous study of anthropogenic Pb and SCPs > 3 μm in the same sediments. Along the transect there is a difference in pattern between the concentrations of SCPs > 5 μm and the patterns of anthropogenic Pb and SCPs > 3 μm. The result indicates that increased altitude and rainfall probably explain the increased concentrations of anthropogenic Pb and SCPs > 3μm in the eastern part of the transect. Metals are in the size range for which atmospheric residence times are greatest, whereas particles > 5 μm in diameter are of the size thought to be effectively removed from the atmosphere by sedimentation. This may explain, at least partially, why there is a difference between the pattern of SCPs > 5 μm concentrations and anthropogenic Pb and SCPs > 3 μm concentrations. This study shows that SCPs > 5 μm in lake sediments can potentially provide a better signal of locally-deposited atmospheric pollution than trace elements from the same source. A SCP distribution dominated by large particles (> 10 μm) is found up to 20 km downwind of the city. Within this area, temporal SCP size distribution patterns can help detect local-deposited atmospheric pollution.     

Heavy metals in fish from a series of metal-contaminated lakes near Sudbury,Ontario

Elevated levels of Ni, Cu, and Zn are present in surficial sediments of lakes in the Sudbury region of northeastern Ontario. Metal concentrations in sediments were highest in lakes closest to local smelters, and decreased rapidly with distance: equations are presented describing these relationships. Several fish species were collected from a series of these metal-contaminated lakes, and analyzed for metal content of muscle, liver, and kidney tissues. Muscle tissue was a poor indicator of increased metal availability. Liver tissue was a good indicator for Cu, while kidney tissue was best for Ni. Zinc levels in tissues varried little among either fish species or lakes. The presence of elevated levels of Cu in liver, and elevated levels of Ni in liver and kidney tissues of fish from certain lakes supported the hypothesis that some fish populations were being stressed by metal additions to local aquatic habitats. Although the degree of lake contamination (as indicated by Cu concentrations in sediments) was one factor influencing Cu availability, water quality parameters such as alkalinity and DOC also appeared to be very important.     

Lime Residues and Metal Sequestration in Sediments of Excessively Limed Lakes

Sediment profiles from ten excessively limed lakes were used to study the occurrence of lime residues as a result of incomplete lime dissolution and the influence of treatment with very high lime doses on the sequestration of metals in lake sediments. The sediment profiles were subjected to multi-element analysis and compared to sediment profiles from previous studies of lakes limed with normal lime doses and untreated reference lakes. The high lime doses were found to result in large lime residues in the sediment, with lime concentrations of up to 70% of the dry sediment in the studied lakes. Excessive liming, like liming with normal doses, was found to cause increased sequestration in sediments of, e.g. Cd, Co, Ni and Zn, metals where the mobility is known to be highly pH dependent, compared to non-limed reference lakes. No effect of liming on the sequestration of Cu, Cr, Pb and V could be shown. The size of the lime dose did not seem to influence the metal sequestration in the sediment, since no difference between the excessively limed lakes and lakes limed with normal doses was found. On the contrary, the large lime residues were found to cause a dilution of the metal concentrations in the sediments, since lime products used for lake liming generally have lower metal concentrations compared to the sediments.     

Are cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses across Europe primarily determined by atmospheric deposition of these metals?

Purpose

This study aimed at investigating correlations between heavy metal concentrations in mosses and modelled deposition values as well as other site-specific and regional characteristics to determine which factors primarily affect cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses. The resulting relationships could potentially be used to enhance the spatial resolution of heavy metal deposition maps across Europe.

Materials and methods

Modelled heavy metal deposition data and data on the concentration of heavy metals in naturally growing mosses were integrated into a geographic information system and analysed by means of bivariate rank correlation analysis and multivariate decision trees. Modelled deposition data were validated annually with deposition measurements at up to 63 EMEP measurement stations within the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP), and mosses were collected at up to 7,000 sites at 5-year intervals between 1990 and 2005.

Results and discussion

Moderate to high correlations were found between cadmium and lead concentrations in mosses and modelled atmospheric deposition of these metals: Spearman rank correlation coefficients were between 0.62 and 0.67, and 0.67 and 0.73 for cadmium and lead, respectively (p?<?0.001). Multivariate decision tree analyses showed that cadmium and lead concentrations in mosses were primarily determined by the atmospheric deposition of these metals, followed by emissions of the metals. Low to very low correlations were observed between mercury concentrations in mosses and modelled atmospheric deposition of mercury. According to the multivariate analyses, spatial variations of the mercury concentration in mosses was primarily associated with the sampled moss species and not with the modelled deposition, but regional differences in the atmospheric chemistry of mercury and corresponding interactions with the moss may also be involved.

Conclusions

At least for cadmium and lead, concentrations in mosses are a valuable tool in determining and mapping the spatial variation in atmospheric deposition across Europe at a high spatial resolution. For mercury, more studies are needed to elucidate interactions of different chemical species with the moss.     

Current and historical inputs of mercury to high-latitude lakes in Canada and to Hudson Bay

Sediment cores collected from several lakes in northern Canada have been analyzed for mercury and several other chemical contaminants. Sites ranged from the Experimental Lakes Area of northwestern Ontario, north to Cornwallis Island, and west to the southern Yukon. Cores were sliced at sites of collection and individual slices were freeze dried and analyzed for Pb-210 and Cs-137 to estimate average time intervals of deposition. The earliest date estimated by Pb-210 was about 1850, and mercury concentrations in some lakes were clearly increasing before then, assuming no vertical movements of mercury within the sediments. Extrapolation of dates downward to deeper slices, assuming a constant sedimentation rate, indicated that in some lakes mercury inputs increased slowly even in the 1500's, more rapidly after 1750, and more rapidly yet over the current century. These increases are interpreted as increased fluxes of mercury to the lakes as a result of long-range transport of atmospheric mercury, since there are no local industrial sources of mercury. Slices taken near the bottom of a core are taken to estimate the geological component while elevations in excess of that in surface slices are taken to represent contamination from fallout. This partitioning suggests that sediments in the eastern Northwest Territories are dominated by pollution, while those from the western Northwest Territories are influenced more by their geological settings. Two cores from Hudson Bay suggest that mercury is increasing there too, but has not yet exceeded geological sources. Mercury shows little or no tendency to decline in the most recent slices; indicating that inputs of mercury remain at or near their historical maxima. Given relatively high and continuing inputs of mercury to northern lakes it seems likely that some portion of that mercury may find its way into the food chain, hence the long-term prospect is for increasing levels of mercury in northern fish.     

MERCURY ACCUMULATION IN DEVILS LAKE,NORTH DAKOTA – EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION IN CLOSED-BASIN LAKES ON MERCURY CHRONOLOGIES

Sediment cores were collected from lakes in the Devils Lake Basin in North Dakota to determine if mercury (Hg) accumulation chronologies from sediment-core data are good indicators of variations in Hg accumulation rates in saline lakes. Sediment cores from Creel Bay and Main Bay, Devils Lake were selected for detailed analysis and interpretation. The maximum Hg concentration in the Creel Bay core was 0.15 micrograms per gram at 8 to 9 centimeters. The maximum Hg concentration in the Main Bay core was 0.07 micrograms per gram at 5 to 7 centimeters. The general decreases in Hg concentrations with depth are attributed to historic variations in atmospheric Hg deposition rate. Hg stratigraphies combined with²¹⁰Pb and¹³⁷Cs dating analyses yield Hg chronologies that indicate a general increase in Hg accumulation rates in Devils Lake since the middle of the 19th century. Mean modern Hg accumulation rates in Creel Bay were 4.9 nanograms per square centimeter per year, and rates in Main Bay were 1.8 nanograms per square centimeter per year. Mean preindustrial Hg accumulation rates in Creel Bay were 1.2 nanograms per square centimeter per year, and rates in Main Bay were 1.6 nanograms per square centimeter per year. Relatively low Hg concentrations in recent sediments in the Devils Lake Basin, along with similarities in Hg accumulation rates between lakes in the Devils Lake Basin and other lakes in the northern interior of North America, indicate that local sources of Hg are not important sources of Hg. Results of the study indicate that accurate Hg chronologies are discernible in sediment cores collected from saline lakes. However, spatial and temporal variations in lake level and water chemistry common to saline lakes make interpretation of radioisotopic and geochemical chronologies difficult. Hg geochemistry in Devils Lake, and presumably in other saline lakes, is dynamic. The results of this study indicate that the absolute amount of sediment transported to Devils Lake, along with the associated Hg and total organic carbon, and the distribution of sedimentation patterns in Devils Lake may be affected by changing lake levels.     

帕米尔高原东部表层沉积物粒度特征及其迁移路径

[目的]研究帕米尔高原东部表层沉积物粒度特征及来源,为提高中国西部高原地区沉积环境认知及生态环境建设提供科学依据。[方法]利用激光粒度仪对帕米尔高原东部表层沉积物粒度进行分析,并通过后向轨迹模型探讨远源风成沉降对其表层沉积物组成的影响。[结果]研究区表层沉积物以砂粒为主,表层沉积物粒径随海拔的逐渐升高而减小。初步推测表层沉积物主要为湖相沉积,远源风成沉降主要受中亚西风气流和塔克拉玛干沙漠西侧沙尘颗粒物影响。[结论]帕米尔高原东部处于生态环境脆弱区,应因地制宜制定土地利用规划,同时需防范中亚沙尘颗粒对其生态环境的影响。     

SOURCES OF TRACE METALS IN STREAMS AND HEADWATER LAKES IN FINLAND

Distributions of Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, As, and Cd in Finnish surface waters were studied by comparing two data sets: samples from 154 headwater lakes collected by the Water and Environment Administration in 1992 and samples from 1165 headwater streams collected during the environmental geochemical mapping program of the Geological Survey of Finland in 1990. It was expected that headwater lakes with catchments smaller than 1 km² and high lake percentage (ratio of lake area to catchment size) would be more influenced by atmospheric trace metal deposition than the streams, with average catchment size of 30 km². The lakes with highest arsenic concentrations lie in an area with greenstones and arsenic-rich black schists. The same lakes have high copper concentrations, which evidently are derived from the Cu-rich greenstones of the catchment. The high copper concentrations of streams and lakes in the industrialized region of the southwest coast are due to several anthropogenic sources. The highest concentrations of chromium occur in brown stream and lake waters rich in humic matter, while manganese and zinc concentrations, which are controlled by acidity, tend to be elevated in low-pH waters. The high nickel concentrations in lakes in southwestern Finland probably are due to anthropogenic input, while Ni anomalies in stream and lake water in eastern Finland are correlated with high Ni contents of glacial till. The lead concentrations in lakes are mainly of airborne anthropogenic origin. The pattern of atmospheric deposition is reflected in the concentrations of Cd, As, Cu, Zn, and Ni in headwater lakes, but land-use, the natural distribution of metals in the overburden, water acidity, and the amount of humic substances influence the distribution of trace metals in both lakes and streams. Thus the trace metal distribution in headwater lakes cannot be used alone to estimate the contribution of anthropogenic atmospheric deposition to metal anomalies in Finnish surface waters.     

Metals in small Norwegian lakes: Relation to atmospheric deposition of pollutants

Water chemistry data from 165 lakes in Norway are discussed in relation to contribution from long-range transported air pollutants. Concentrations of lead and antimony in terrestrial mosses are used to express the relative contribution from long range transport to each lake. The contents of Al and Zn in lake water and of ‘excess’ SO₄ in low Ca lakes show high correlations with the relative heavy metal deposition values from moss analysis. The ‘excess’ SO₄ in low Ca lakes correlates strongly with Al and too a lesser extent with Mn and Fe. It is suggested that the lake water levels of Al and Mn, and even to some extent Fe, are significantly affected by acidic precipitation enhancing the leaching of these metals from mineral matter in soils and sediments. In the case of Zn, airborne supply to the lakes and their catchments appears to strongly affect the water content.