Geobiochemical Characteristics of the Snow Cover of the White Sea Coast in 2021 and 2022

E. I. Kotova; Котова Е. И.; V. Yu. Topchaya; Топчая В. Ю.; Yu. V. Novikova; Новикова Ю. В.

doi:10.31857/S207667342301009X

Geobiochemical Characteristics of the Snow Cover of the White Sea Coast in 2021 and 2022

Authors: Kotova E.I.¹, Topchaya V.Y.¹, Novikova Y.V.²
Affiliations:
1. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences
2. N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research, Russian Academy of Sciences
Issue: Vol 63, No 1 (2023)
Pages: 60-70
Section: Snow cover and avalanches
URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/2076-6734/article/view/137470
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S207667342301009X
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/MABLAC
ID: 137470

Cite item

Full Text

Open Access
Restricted Access

Access granted
Restricted Access

Subscription Access

Abstract
About the authors
References
Supplementary files
Statistics

Abstract

For two years (2021 and 2022) snow sampling carried out in the coastal zone of the Onega and Dvina Bays of the White Sea during the period of maximum snow accumulation (March). The snow was analyzed for the content of the main ions (Cl^–, \({\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2 - }}\), Na⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺); biogenic elements (phosphorus, silicon, nitrogen), pH and mineralization were determined. The algological composition of the snow cover was also studied. The results showed that the snow was slightly acidic (average pH 5.4). Cl^– and Na⁺ were the main ions in the coastal zone; \({\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2 - }}\) and Ca²⁺ in the estuary zone. The high content of marine ions and mineralization were determined near the Paranikha Bay (Dvina Bay), where the release of sea water onto the ice is noted annually. Compared to previous studies, in which snow samples were taken in the costal zone, the content of marine ions in the territory under consideration is an order of magnitude higher. As a result of the influence of marine aerosols, the values of snow cover mineralization can reach 140–680 mg/L. The content of dissolved silicon in melt water is increased in the zone of influence of atmospheric emissions from urbanized territories (Arkhangelsk, Novodvinsk, Severodvinsk), as well as near the granite quarry on the coast of Onega Bay. During the study period, 14 taxa of microalgae (species and supraspecific taxa) belonging to the division Bacillariophyta were found in snow samples. The maximum value of the total number of microalgae (1.293 thousand cells/L.) in the snow cover was determined in 2022.

Keywords

snow, coastal zone, ionic composition, nutrients, algological composition

References

Bahmet O.N., Solodovnikov A.N., Dubina-Chehovich E.V. Influence of aerotechnogenic pollution on the chemical composition of the snow cover of the agricultural landscape. Rossiyskaya sel’skokhozyaystvennaya nauka. Russian Agricultural Science. 2021, 2: 49–53 [In Russian].
Vinogradov A.P. Chemical elementary composition of sea organisms. Trudy Biohimicheskoj laboratorii Akademii Nauk SSSR. Proc. of the Biochemical Laboratory of the Academy of Sciences, 1935, 6: 1–215 [In Russian].
Vinogradova A.A., Kotova E.I. Metals in atmospheric precipitation and in lakes waters in the north-west of Russia. Ekologicheskaya himiya. Ecological chemistry. 2016, 25 (1): 52–61 [In Russian].
Drozdova V.M., Petrenchuk O.P., Selezneva V.S., Svistov P.F. Chemical composition of atmospheric precipitation in the European territory of the USSR. Leningrad: Hydrometeoizdat, 1964: 209 p. [In Russian].
Kondrat’ev I.I., Mukha, D.E., Boldeskul A.G., Yurchenko S.G., Lutsenko, T.N. Chemical composition of precipitation and snow cover in the Primorsky Krai. Meteorologiya i gidrologiya. Meteorology and Hydrology. 2017, 1: 91–100 [In Russian].
Kotova E.I., Korobov V.B., Shevchenko V.P. Features of the formation of the ionic composition of the snow cover in the coastal zone of the western sector of the Arctic Seas of Russia. Sovremennye problemy nauki i obrazovaniya. Modern problems of science and education. 2012, 6: 631 [In Russian].
Makarov V.N., Torgovkin N.V. Ecological and geochemical assessment of the snow cover of Yakutsk. Led i Sneg. Ice and Snow. 2021, 61 (3): 420–430 [In Russian].
Melnikov I.A., Dikarev S.N., Egorov V.G., Kolosova E.G., Zhitina L.S. Structure of coastal ice ecosystem in the zone of river-sea interaction. Okeanologiya. Oceanology. 2005, 45 (4): 542–550 [In Russian].
Rukovodstvo po gidrobiologicheskomu monitoringu presnovodnyh ekosistem. Guidelines for hydrobiological monitoring of freshwater ecosystems. St. Petersburg: Hydrometeoizdat, 1992: 318 p. [In Russian].
Savenko V.S., Savenko A.V. Geohimiya fosfora v global’nom gidrologicheskom cikle. Phosphorus geochemistry in the global hydrological cycle. Moscow: GEOS, 2007: 248 p. [In Russian].
Sazhin A.F., Sapozhnikov F.V., Ratkova T.N., Romanova N.D., Shevchenko V.P., Filippov A.S. Population of spring ice, water and soils of the White Sea in the mouth zone of the Northern Dvina. Okeanologiya. Oceanology. 2011, 51 (2): 307–318 [In Russian].
Starodymova D.P., Popovicheva O.B., Shevchenko V.P., Kobelev V.O., Novigatsky A.N. Regional distribution of pollutants in the snow cover of the industrial Arctic region. Monitoring sostoyaniya i zagryazneniya okruzha-yushchej sredy. Ekosistemy i klimat Arkticheskoj zony: Rasshirennye tezisy dokladov. Monitoring of the state and pollution of the environment. Ecosystems and climate of the Arctic zone: Extended abstracts. Moscow: Institute of Global Climate and Ecology named after Academician Yu.A. Israel. 2020: 110–112 [In Russian].
Shevchenko V.P. Vliyanie aerozolej na sredu i morskoe osadkonakoplenie v Arktike. Influence of aerosols on the environment and marine sedimentation in the Arctic. Moscow: Nauka. 2006: 226 [In Russian].
Shevchenko V.P., Belorukov S.K., Bulokhov A.V., Korobov V.B., Lokhov A.S., Starodymova D.P., Chultsova A.L., Yakovlev A.E. Geochemical features of the snow cover in the watersheds of the Onega, Dvina and Mezen bays of the White Sea in February – March 2020. Geografiya: razvitie nauki i obrazovaniya. T.1. Sbornik statej po materialam mezhdunarodnoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii LXXIV Gercenovskie chteniya. Geography: Development of science and education. Vol.1. Collection of articles based on the materials of the international scientific and practical conference LXXIV Herzen readings. St. Petersburg: Russian State Pedagogical University. A.I. Herzen. 2021, 1: 196–200 [In Russian].
Shevchenko V.P., Starodymova D.P., Belorukov S.K., Boev A.G., Korobov V.B., Kotova E.I., Lokhov A.S., Chultsova A.L., Yakovlev A.E. Geochemistry of the snow cover of the Primorsky district of the Arkhangelsk region in March 2021. Geografiya: razvitie nauki i obrazovaniya. T. II. Sbornik statej po materialam ezhegodnoj mezhdunarodnoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii (k 225-letiyu Gercenovskogo universiteta). Geography: the development of science and education: Collection of articles based on the materials of the annual international scientific and practical conference (on the 225th anniversary of Herzen University). St. Petersburg: Russian State Pedagogical University. A.I. Herzen. 2022, 1: 141–145 [In Russian].
Shesterkin V.P., Shesterkina N.M., Forina Ju.A. Influence of peat fires on the chemical composition of snow cover and surface fires. Geografija i prirodnye resursy. Geography and Natural Resources. 2009, (1): 49–54 [In Russian].
Brina L.D., Goyera C., Zebartha B.J., Burtonb D.L., Chantignyc M.H. Changes in snow cover alter nitrogen cycling and gaseous emissions in agricultural soils. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 2018, 258: 91–103.
Brooks P.D., Williams M.W. Snowpack controls on N cycling and export in seasonally snow covered catchments. Hydrological Processes. 1999, 13: 2177–2190.
Coelho B.B., Lapen D., Murray R., Topp E., Bruin A., Khan B. Nitrogen loading to offsite waters from liquid swine manure application under different drainage and tillage practices. Agricultural Water Management. 2012, 104: 40–50.
Edwards A.C., Scalenghe R., Freppaz M. Changes in the seasonal snow cover of alpine regions and its effect on soil processes: a review. Quaternary International. 2007, 162: 172–181.
Eichler A., Brütsch S., Olivier S., Papina T., Schwikowski M. A 750 year ice core record of past biogenic emissions from Siberian boreal forests. Geophys. Research Letters. 2009, 36: L18813. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL038807
Fierz C., Armstrong R.L., Durand Y., Etchevers P., Green E., McClung D.M., Nishimura K., Satyawali P.K., Sokratov S.A. The International Classification for Seasonal Snow on the Ground: IHP–VII Technical Documents in Hydrology № 83: IACS Contribution № 1. Paris: UNESCO–IHP. 2009: 1–90.
Filippa G., Freppaz M., Williams M., Zanini E. Major element chemistry in inner alpine snowpacks (Aosta valley region, NW Italy). Cold Reg. Science and Technology. 2010, 64: 158–166.
Freppaza M., Pintaldia E., Magnania A., Vigliettia D., Williamsc M.W. Topsoil and snow: a continuum system. Applied Soil Ecology. 2018, 123: 435–440.
Hodson A., Anesio A.M., Tranter M., Fountain A., Osborn M., Priscu J., Laybourn-Parry J., Sattler B. Glacial ecosystems. Ecolog. Monography. 2008, 78: 41–67.
Iwataa Yu., Yanaia Yo., Yazakia T., Hirotab T. Effects of a snow-compaction treatment on soil freezing, snowmelt runoff, and soil nitrate movement: A field-scale paired-plot experiment. Journ. of Hydrology. 2018, 567: 280–289.
Krnavek L., Simpson W. R., Carlson D., Domine F., Douglas T.A., Sturm M. The chemical composition of surface snow in the Arctic: Examining marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric influences. Atmospheric Environment. 2012, 50: 349–359.
Mayewski P., Lyons W., Spencer M., Twickler M., Buck C., Whitlow S. An ice-core record of atmospheric response to anthropogenic sulphate and nitrate. Nature. 1990, 346: 554–556.
Mc Carthy J.J. The uptake of urea by natural population of marine phytoplankton. Limnology аnd Oceanography. 1972, 17 (5): 738‒748.
Mortazavi R., Ariya P.A., Attiya S. Diversity of metals and metal-interactive bacterial populations in different types of Arctic snow and frost flowers: Implications on snow freeze-melt processes in a changing climate. The Science of the Total Environment. 2019, 690: 277–289.
Wang X., Pu W., Zhang X.Y., Ren Y., Huang J.P. Water-soluble ions and trace elements in surface snow and their potential source regions across north-eastern China. Atmos. Environment. 2015, 114: 57–65.
Williams M.W., Seibold C., Chowanski K. Storage and release of Solutes from a subalpine seasonal snowpack: soil and stream water response Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Biogeochemistry. 2009, 95 (1): 77–94.
Xue H., Chen W., Li M., Liu B., Li G., Han X. Assessment of major ions and trace elements in snow: A case study across northeastern China, 2017–2018. Chemosphere. 2020, 251: 126328.
Zhan J., Gao Y., Li W., Chen L., Lin H., Lin Q. Effects of ship emissions on summertime aerosols at Ny–Alesund in the Arctic. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 2014, 5: 500–510.