CONCENTRATION OF HEAVY METALS IN SUPERFICIAL LAKE SEDIMENTS OF PECHENGA DISTRICT, MURMANSK REGION, RUSSIA
The aim of the paper is an attempt to describe the ecological state of water objects on the basis of heavy metals concentrations in the superficial sediments of six lakes of Pechenga district of Murmansk region, situated on different distance from heavy metals pollution source – the ”Pechenganickel” company. Contamination factors and degrees of contamination of heavy metals have been calculated for every lake. An extent of heavy metals accumulation in the sediments has been shown depending on the distance from the pollution source, the water depth and organic matter contents in the sediments. The highest levels of heavy metals concentrations and degrees of contamination are found in the lakes situated near ”Pechenganickel” company, and levels considerably reduce when moving off the pollution source.