Distribution of trace elements in waters and sediments of the Seversky Donets transboundary watershed (Kharkiv region, Eastern Ukraine)

Yuliya Vystavna (1, 2, 3) , Frederic Huneau (3, 4) , Jörg Schäfer (5) , Mikael Motelica-Heino (6) , G. Blanc (5) , A. Larrose (5) , Yuri Vergeles (2) , D. Dyadin (2) , Philippe Le Coustumer (1, 3)

1 UFR des Sciences de la Terre et de la Mer
2 Department of Environmental Engineering and Management
3 ENSEGID - Géoressources & Environnement
4 Ghymac - Géosciences hydrosciences matériaux constructions
5 EPOC - Environnements et Paléoenvironnements OCéaniques
6 ISTO - Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans - UMR7327

This paper reports on the aquatic chemistry of trace elements in terms of spatial and temporal distribution, but also pollution sources in the transboundary watershed of the Seversky Donets River (Ukraine/Russia). Bed sediments and filtered water were collected from the Udy and Lopan Rivers at sites from the river source in the Belgorod region (Russia) to rural and urban areas in the Kharkiv region (Ukraine) in May and August 2009. Priority trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn), an urban tracer (Ag) and additional metals (Co, Mo, V) and Th were measured in stream water and sediments. The low levels and variability of Th-normalized concentrations indicated the absence of geochemical anomalies in the upstream part of the rivers and suggested that these data represent a regional baseline for trace elements in bed sediments. In contrast, water and sediments within the city of Kharkiv were contaminated by Ag, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn, which are mainly attributed to municipal wastewater inputs and urban run-off. Results of the environmental quality assessment showed that element concentrations in the sediments can be considered as potentially toxic to aquatic organisms in sites downstream of the wastewater discharges.

Domaines: Interfaces continentales, environnement; Milieux et Changements globaux

Yuliya Vystavna, Frederic Huneau, Jörg Schäfer, Mikael Motelica-Heino, G. Blanc, et al.. Distribution of trace elements in waters and sediments of the Seversky Donets transboundary watershed (Kharkiv region, Eastern Ukraine). Applied Geochemistry, 2012, 27, pp.2077-2087. ⟨10.1016/j.apgeochem.2012.05.006⟩. ⟨insu-00702533⟩