Geochemical characteristics of microelement distribution in surface sediments of Ust-Ilimsk Reservoir

This research examines the characteristics of spatial distribution of As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr in bottom sediments of Ust-Ilimsk reservoir. Two zones of the reservoir with elevated accumulation levels of potentially toxic elements have been determined: Vihorevsky bay (inflow from anthropogenic sources) and the reservoir area near the dam (inflow from natural and anthropogenic sources). Mobility of studied trace elements and the probability of the secondary contamination has been assessed based on the determined speciation of trace elements in bottom sediments. (paper)