Sulphur in the Arctic environment (3): environmental impact

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2003-01, Vol.124 (1), p.151-171
• Main Authors: Kashulina, G, Reimann, C, Banks, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidification; Air Pollutants; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Arctic ecosystems; Arctic Regions; Atmospheric pollution; Biological and medical sciences; Bryopsida; Catchment studies; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh Water; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geochemical survey; Industrial atmospheric emissions; Kola Peninsula; Metallurgy; Nickel; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Russia; Sulfur; Sulfur Dioxide - analysis; Sulphur emission; Terrestrial environment, soil, air
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/S0269-7491(02)00401-3

The whole spectrum of emitted elements need to be studied in order to understand the effects of humans on the environment. Long term, high level airborne emissions of pollutants from nickel industries on the Kola Peninsula (NW Russia) have resulted in widespread ecosystem injury up to almost complete vegetation eradication within nearest surroundings of the smelters. Although SO 2 is the prevailing component of the emissions, it is only part of a much more complex chemical emission spectrum in the region. In addition to acidic gases, industry also emits potentially toxic elements (e.g. metals) which being less volatile than SO 2, are deposited within the immediate region in significant concentrations. Additionally, it appears that sources of base cations (co-emission by smelters, sea aerosols, other industries) are adequate to prevent environmental acidification on the regional scale. Acidification of soils and waters appeared only as single cases in the immediate vicinity of the smelters and is not believed to be a major mechanism of environmental deterioration. Proposed critical concentrations (5 μg/m 3) of SO 2 for the northern ecosystems are exceeded over a large area and direct exposure to SO 2 is believed to be the possible mechanism of vegetation damage.