Natural and technogenic elements in soils and water of the lower Yenisey flood plain and terraces: Regional and local landscape geochemical distribution patterns controlled by natural processes

¹ Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Ac. of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
² All-Russia Research Institute for Pipeline Construction, Moscow, Russia
³ Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
⁴ Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, 1332 Østerås, Norway

Abstract

Spatial distributions of Cs-137, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, K, Na, Ca in sediments, soils and water of conjugated landscapes within floodplain and coastal areas of the lower Yenisey were determined in a South-North direction from set. Ust'-Port to Cape Shaitansky. The study showed that these elements could be used to reveal the impact of natural and technogenic sources on local landscapes. The marine influence was traced by increasing salinity Cl^- content and a decrease in (Ca+Mg)/(Na+K) ratios in ground water in a seaward direction. Accumulative landscapes of the island in the frontal zone of the delta area appeared to be most enriched in terrestrial elements and ions (Ca, Mg, carbonates) and Cs-137. Data suggest that this area acts as the estuary's first filter zone for river load transport. Permafrost leads to relatively enhanced concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cs-137 in soil profiles at the bottom of the active layer and to enhanced mobility and accumulation of Fe and Mn in oxidized zones. The applied methodology seems to be helpful for the rapid geo-ecological survey of large areas subject to graduated impact.