Radionuclides and heavy metal concentrations as complementary tools for studying the impact of industrialization on the environment

The aim of the study was to determine whether using chemical and radiochemical analysis of lake sediments can highlight changes in the climate. Also it was studied whether human impact on the environment can be observed and to what extent such changes are in agreement with historical data. Samples of 16 cm thick sediment cores from the Smreczynski Staw Lake were collected and divided into 1 cm thick sub-samples. The samples were air dried and homogenized. The quantitative analysis of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, and Pb in the digested sediment samples was made by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Simultaneously, the radioactivity of (137)Cs using gamma spectrometry and (210)Pb(uns) using alpha spectrometry, were measured for sediment layer dating. Results showed that iron concentration was in the range 0.3–over 1 % (w/w), and zinc 0.01–0.05 % (w/w). Lesser concentrations were found for copper 18.37–43.6 ppm, manganese 37.5–50.7 ppm, lead 146.1–432 ppm, chromium 12.3–37.4 ppm, nickel 3.1–10.8 ppm and cadmium 0.9–34.6 ppm. Changes in (137)Cs radioactivity was in the range of 89 ± 11 to 865 ± 62 (Bq kg(−1)). Sediments composition can accurately reflect (in terms of time and to what extent) air pollution and natural geo-chemical processes in the environment. However, the choice of the analysed object is crucial in this respect. The Smreczynski Staw Lake, due to its location in the mountains and hydrological situation, proved to be very useful for providing undisturbed analytical samples.