RUSSIAN REFUSE III: Investigation of organic and heavy metal contaminants input and distribution in selected rivers of the Russian Federation

The current study investigated selected aspects of pollution in rivers of the Russian
Federation including those which receive substantial amount of wastewaters direct from
industry and via common wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In April-May 2010,
Greenpeace collected thirty one samples including river water, sediments and wastewaters
from industrial and WWTP discharges into the following rivers: Syas, Svir`, Sheksna,
Koshta, Volga, and Moskva. Sample of surface water from the Krasny Bor toxic waste
landfill drainage canal was also collected. From the current study, it is evident that highly
complex wastes containing a variety of toxic chemicals are being discharged of into natural
watercourses.