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Sulphur in the Arctic environment (3): environmental impact
G Kashulina1, C Reimann, D Banks
1Geological Survey of Norway, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|April 10, 2003
Summary
Airborne emissions from nickel industries on the Kola Peninsula have caused severe ecosystem damage, eradicating vegetation near smelters. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution exceeds critical levels, likely causing direct vegetation injury in northern ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Industrial Ecology
Background:
- Nickel industries on the Kola Peninsula release complex airborne pollutants.
- High-level emissions have caused extensive ecosystem injury and vegetation loss near smelters.
- While sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major emission, other toxic elements are also released.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of industrial emissions on the Kola Peninsula's ecosystems.
- To determine the primary mechanisms of ecosystem damage in the region.
- To evaluate the role of SO2 and other pollutants in vegetation injury.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of airborne emissions composition.
- Assessment of ecosystem injury and vegetation eradication.
- Evaluation of soil and water acidification.
- Comparison of pollutant concentrations with established critical levels.
Main Results:
- Widespread ecosystem injury and near-complete vegetation eradication observed near smelters.
- Regional acidification is mitigated by sources of base cations, with localized acidification near smelters.
- Proposed critical concentrations for SO2 (5 microg/m(3)) are exceeded over a large area.
- Direct SO2 exposure is identified as the probable cause of vegetation damage.
Conclusions:
- Industrial emissions, particularly SO2, are the primary drivers of ecosystem damage on the Kola Peninsula.
- Direct SO2 toxicity, rather than acidification, is the main mechanism of vegetation injury.
- Effective emission control strategies are crucial for mitigating further environmental deterioration in the region.
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