Scale and Reasons for Changes in Chemical Composition of Waters During the Spring Freshet on Kolyma River, Arctic Siberia

The information on the seasonal variability of the chemical composition of the Arctic rivers is necessary for the proper assessment of the status of river runoff and the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors. Spring freshet is an especially important period for the Arctic rivers with a sharp maximum of water discharge. The Kolyma River is the least studied large river with a basin located solely in the permafrost zone. The change in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), major, trace, and rare earth (RE) elements was studied at the peak and waning of the spring freshet of 2024 in the lower reaches of the Kolyma River. The concentration of elements was determined in filtrates < 0.45 μm and in suspended solids > 0.45 μm. The content of coarse colloids (0.05–0.45 μm) was estimated by the intensity of dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was shown that the freshet peak is characterized by a minimal specific conductivity, concentration of major cations, and chemical elements migrating mainly in solution (Li, Sr, and Ba). During the freshet decline, the concentration of these elements increases with dynamics depending on the water exchange. The waters from the Kolyma River main stream have a maximal content of coarse colloids and concentration of <0.45 μm forms of hydrolysates (Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, REEs, Zr, Y, Sc, and Th), DOC, P, and heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Cd, and Co) at the freshet peak. A decrease of 8–10 times for hydrolysates and coarse colloids (0.05–0.45 μm) and of 3–6 times for heavy metals was observed at the freshet waning during the first half of June. This indicates a large-scale accumulation of easy soluble forms of hydrolysates, DOC, and heavy metals in the seasonal thawing topsoil layer on the catchment upstream in the previous summer, with a flush out of these elements at the freshet peak of the current year. In the large floodplain watercourse Panteleikha River, the change in concentration of major cations and REEs, Zr, Y, Sc, and Th at the freshet is less accented compared with the Kolyma River main stream due to a slower water exchange. Yet, <0.45 μm forms of Fe, Mn, Co, As, V, and P show an increase of 4–6 times in the Panteleikha River in the second half of June compared with the freshet peak, which indicates an additional input of these elements from the thawing floodplain landscapes and bottom sediments of floodplain watercourses. The concentration of the majority of chemical elements in suspended matter (>0.45 μm) of the Kolyma River is rather stable during the high-water period. The relative stability in the chemical composition of the suspended solids means that the content of the suspension and not its composition is the key to the share of dissolved and suspended forms of chemical elements in the Kolyma River runoff.