Environmental State of Surface Waters and Bottom Sediments in Water Bodies of the Southwestern Part of the Altai Territory

Abstract

Ecological research findings on surface waters and bottom sediments in water bodies of the southwestern part of the Altai Territory are presented. Samples were collected and analyzed between 2020 and 2021. Activities of natural (40К, 226Ra, 232Th) and artificial (241Am, 239+240Pu, 137Cs and 90Sr) radionuclides were determined in bottom sediments, research into the content of heavy metals (copper, zinc, lead and cadmium) in surface waters and bottom sediments was undertaken. As a result, it was found that radiation parameters of bottom sediments in water bodies of the southwestern part of the Altai Territory did not exceed the regulatory level. No residual nuclear plumes at the Semipalatinsk Test Site are currently detected in water of water bodies of interest. The content of heavy metals in bottom sediments does not correspond to the regulatory level. Ground water contamination with heavy metals was not detected.