<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Environmental pollution with trace elements is considered as one of the most important environmental problems. Analysis of trace element accumulation in sedimentary phases of lakes may reflect the overall regional pollution level, and analysis of trace element accumulation patterns in sediment profiles can help to reconstruct the history of anthropogenic impact. The aim of this study was to analyse trace element concentrations in sediments of Lake Engure in Latvia and to determine factors influencing their availability. The metal concentrations in sediments of Lake Engure are at background levels, especially compared with metal concentrations in West European countries. However, the change in element concentration in sedimentary profiles provides information about trends of recent accumulation (within the last 100 years) and on the balance between natural and human-induced accumulation processes.</p></abstract>

Environmental pollution with trace elements is considered as one of the most important environmental problems. Analysis of trace element accumulation in sedimentary phases of lakes may reflect the overall regional pollution level, and analysis of trace element accumulation patterns in sediment profiles can help to reconstruct the history of anthropogenic impact. The aim of this study was to analyse trace element concentrations in sediments of Lake Engure in Latvia and to determine factors influencing their availability. The metal concentrations in sediments of Lake Engure are at background levels, especially compared with metal concentrations in West European countries. However, the change in element concentration in sedimentary profiles provides information about trends of recent accumulation (within the last 100 years) and on the balance between natural and human-induced accumulation processes.

Reconstruction of past anthropogenic impact intensity in Lake Engure using sedimentary record analysis

Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Raiņa bulv. 19, Rīga LV-1586, LATVIA

Radioisotope Research Laboratory, Nature Research Centre, T. Ševčenkos 13, Vilnius 03223, LITHUANIA

Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia, Raina bulv. 19, Rīga LV-1586, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

Environmental pollution with trace elements is considered as one of the most important environmental problems. Analysis of trace element accumulation in...

Reconstruction of past anthropogenic impact intensity in Lake Engure using sedimentary record analysis

Publié en ligne: 28 juin 2012

Pages: 146 - 153

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-011-0030-4

Mots clés
lake sediments, paleolimnology, trace and major elements, organic matter, pollen, spectrophotometry

This content is open access.

Reconstruction of past anthropogenic impact intensity in Lake Engure using sedimentary record analysis

Publié en ligne: 28 juin 2012

Pages: 146 - 153

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-011-0030-4

Mots cléslake sediments, paleolimnology, trace and major elements, organic matter, pollen, spectrophotometry

This content is open access.

Mots clés
lake sediments, paleolimnology, trace and major elements, organic matter, pollen, spectrophotometry