Concentration of Trace Elements in Cryoconites of Mountain and Polar Regions of the World

Abstract

The surface of mountain glaciers is a place of accumulation of various biogenic organomineral and mineral compounds. As a result of intensive mass deglaciation of glaciers due to climate change and anthropogenic activity, this material can significantly affect the transformation of the landscape in the periglacial zone. Thus, this work considers the contamination of the surface of the Arctic, Antarctic, and Caucasian glaciers by priority pollutants. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to analyze trace elements (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb) from cryoconite deposits. It was revealed that the cryoconite dust on the Ray-Iz glacier (Polar Urals) has a high level of nickel contamination, which comes to the glacier from local rock materials as a result of their weathering. The lowest concentrations of trace elements are found in one of the Arctic plots located at Mushketov and Aldegonda glaciers, the Caucasus, and the Antarctic, which is due to their relatively low content in the composition of rocks and the relatively low contribution of long-range transport of matter to the polar regions. Contamination of moraine sediments in the periglacial zone can make a significant contribution to the formation of the soil cover of these territories, the pollution of water bodies near the glacier, as well as affect the quality of life of the people living in the immediate vicinity of the mountain areas.

Linking the composition of cryoconite prokaryotic communities in the Arctic, Antarctic, and Central Caucasus with their chemical characteristics

“…As an exception, the samples from Pimpirev Glacier were divided into two isolated sites (PAG/PAGOr), because two of the four plots carried cryoconite material of ornithogenic origin, which related to the fact that skua colonies were located on the nunatak directly above this part of the glacier. Additional information about the plots' characteristics was described previously 33 – 35 . Thus, when processing the data, all pots were divided into six sites isolated from each other.…”

The paradoxical policies: Russia's rampant resource quest and the devastating toll on the planet

“…The accumulation of these trace elements on the surface of glaciers can snowball into a devastating pollution of the aquatic and consequently, associated terrestrial ecosystems. [16] The accelerated global warming in conjunction with an Arctic policy that promotes its collapse could catalyze a horrendous outcome through viral pandemics and contaminated water supplies.…”