Chemical Characterization Of Water From The Briksdalsbreen Glacier, Norway

Glaciers are dynamic, natural elements that are considered the best indicator of climate change and pollution due to their isolation, sensitivity and longevity. Dissolved water from the Briksdalsbreen glacier (Norway), a part of a larger glacier in the continental Europe, was sampled to determine the concentrations and types of toxic metals and organic matter and assess their impact on the sensitive glacial environment. Surface-active substances (SAS), complexing capacity of copper ions (CuCC), catalytically active organic compounds (CAC), reactive sulfur compounds (RSC), dissolved/particulate trace metals and dissolved organic matter (DOC) were measured. The determined DOC concentrations were very low (0.21 mg C/L). All measured concentrations, including trace metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Co) were very low. Copper ions were present as dissolved organic complexes that were determined as CuCC (60.9 nM; with apparent complexing constant log K = 9.6). Cd was predominantly present in the dissolved phase, whereas Zn, Pb, Ni and Co were predominantly present in the particulate form.