Spatial patterns of the evolution of the chemical composition and discharge of river water in the Ob River basin

Abstract

The discharge of major cations and dissolved organic carbon (C_org) with water of the Ob River and its tributaries along the natural zones within the Ob River basin was calculated, and the contribution of the underground component to the volumes of total discharge of the Ob River basin was estimated. It was demonstrated that the total chemical composition of river water and the geochemical discharge in the Ob River basin were consistent with the zoned hydroclimatic conditions controlling the character and duration of interaction in the water–rock system. It was established that the average ionic discharge of the Ob River increased from 6–7 × 10⁶ t/year near Barnaul to 46–47 × 10⁶ t/year near Salekhard; the discharge of dissolved C_org increased from 0.1 × 10⁶ to 3.8 × 10⁶ t/year. Multiple enrichment of underground waters of the Ob River in dissolved organic matter from the upper to the lower reaches was revealed.