Abstract

The study aimed to reveal quantitative characteristics of heavy metal (HM) transport in aquatic systems of the Volga delta. It is based on repeated geochemical sampling in aquatic systems, which has captured all phases of the hydrological regime. A special attention was paid to the suspended forms of heavy metals. Main features of seasonal dynamics of HM contents in river waters have been determined. Estimation of the annual geochemical fluxes of heavy metals in the Volga delta has been carried out. Spatial analysis of HM contents in bottom sediments allowed determining a presence of two geochemical barrier zones within the near-shore area of the Volga delta.

Keywords: Volga delta, heavy metals, geochemical fluxes, suspended matter, sediments