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PUBLISHED
SINCE 1952

Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences

ISSN 1736-7557 (Electronic)
ISSN 1736-4728 (Print)

Open Access Journal

CiteScore: 1.4

Impact Factor (2022): 1.1

Sedimentary record of heavy metals in Lake Rõuge Liinjärv, southern Estonia; 221–232

PDF | doi:10.3176/earth.2007.03

Authors

Viia Lepane, Mart Varvas, Anu Viitak, Tiiu Alliksaar, Atko Heinsalu

Abstract

Anthropogenic impact on Lake Liinjärv (Rõuge, southern Estonia) was studied back to the mid-19th century on the basis of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Hg) and geochemical parameters of a short sediment core dated by ²¹⁰Pb isotopes. The development of the lake and its sediment composition are heavily influenced by the inflow of saturated calcareous waters that cause precipitation of calcium carbonates. The concentrations of most of the metals started to increase at the end of the 1970s. This is most clearly observable for Zn, Cu, and Pb. At the same time the distribution pattern of Mn seems to be controlled mainly by the redox conditions in the hypolimneon. The main sources of pollutants in Lake Liinjärv, due to its large catchment area, are the influence of agricultural activity and atmospheric input. Organic matter is the main factor affecting heavy metal (Pb, Hg, Cu, and Zn) distribution in lake sediments.

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