THE DISTRIBUTION AND ACCUMULATION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THE ECOSYSTEM OF LAKE ILMENSKOE

Abstract

In the present study Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ag, Sr contents were determined
by X-ray fluorescence analysis in sediments and organisms of Contectiana listeri and Potamogeton lucens L.
of Lake Ilmenskoe located on the territory of the Ilmen State Reserve (South Ural, Russia). It was shown that
microelements-rich sapropels are formed in the Lake Ilmenskoe. The Lake Ilmenskoe is free of
anthropogenic impact and may be regarded as models while assessing the lakes under anthropogenic impact.
The average element composition of macrophytes, gastropod shells and muscles, sapropel and sandy
sediment were compared with the clarkes of elements in the continental crust with a preliminary aluminium
rating, aluminium being the least fluent and abiogenic element of the system ‘sediment – hydrobiont’.
Sapropel was particular rich in microelements in comparison with sandy sediments. Study is shown that most
elements are accumulated in aquatic organisms. Contectiana listeri and Potamogeton lucens L. may be
considered as geochemical barriers. They can be used as biomonitors. We found out that low-iron, lowcalcium, low-ash sapropel was forming in Lake Ilmenskoe.In the present study Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ag, Sr contents were determined
by X-ray fluorescence analysis in sediments and organisms of Contectiana listeri and Potamogeton lucens L.
of Lake Ilmenskoe located on the territory of the Ilmen State Reserve (South Ural, Russia). It was shown that
microelements-rich sapropels are formed in the Lake Ilmenskoe. The Lake Ilmenskoe is free of
anthropogenic impact and may be regarded as models while assessing the lakes under anthropogenic impact.
The average element composition of macrophytes, gastropod shells and muscles, sapropel and sandy
sediment were compared with the clarkes of elements in the continental crust with a preliminary aluminium
rating, aluminium being the least fluent and abiogenic element of the system ‘sediment – hydrobiont’.
Sapropel was particular rich in microelements in comparison with sandy sediments. Study is shown that most
elements are accumulated in aquatic organisms. Contectiana listeri and Potamogeton lucens L. may be
considered as geochemical barriers. They can be used as biomonitors. We found out that low-iron, lowcalcium, low-ash sapropel was forming in Lake Ilmenskoe.