Airborne contamination by heavy metals and aluminum in the freshwater ecosystems of the Kola Subarctic region (Russia)

Airborne contamination by heavy metals and aluminum in freshwater ecosystems of the Kola Peninsula in subarctic Russia has resulted from smoke emissions from large plants such as the Severonikel and Pechenganikel smelters and the Kandalaksha aluminum plant. Negative effects are intensified by acidic precipitation. Nickel is a primary technogenic effluent in surface waters of the Kola North. The area of highest nickel concentrations in water and lake sediments is limited to a 30-km zone around the copper-nickel plants; a similar situation exists for copper. Lake acidification increases the concentration of all metals in water, particularly aluminum. During flood times, a redistribution of metal speciation occurs that increases the concentration of more toxic metal species. We determined that there is a high intensity of metal accumulation in the organs of fish, and we discovered toxic effects, including specific pathologies and fish dysfunction. Based on this information, we estimated the critical levels of metals in freshwater ecosystems of the Kola North.