Geochemical Features of River Runoff and Their Effect on the State of the Aquatic Environment of Lake Onego

Abstract

This paper presents the results of seasonal observations of the geochemical composition of the waters of the large tributaries of Lake Onego. The mineralogy and geochemistry of the suspended matter and the isotopic composition (oxygen-18 and deuterium) of the river waters were studied for the first time. The dependence of the chemical and isotopic compositions of the tributary water on the season and characteristics of the catchment area (swampiness and lacustrine) was revealed. It is shown that the river waters belong to the bicarbonate class of the calcium group and have low mineralization, high color and a similar composition to the main minerals of the suspended matter. It is determined that the difference between the multielement spectra of the water and suspended matter of the different rivers is closely related to the geological and geomorphological structures of river basins. It is established that the quantitative characteristics of the mineral and organic parts of the suspended matter, the ratios of the different minerals andthe size and patterning of the particles of detrital material in the tributaries differ. The change in the mineralogical and geochemical compositions of the suspended matter of each individual river over the year is insignificant. The influence of the river runoff on the formation of lake waters is manifested in the chemical composition of the lake waters. The quantitative ratios of the main ions, biogenic elements and microcomponents in lake water mainly correspond to their ratios in river waters. The mineral part of the dispersed sedimentary matter of the lake in its geochemical characteristics is close to the suspended matter of the river waters.