Evaluation of the regions of the far north of the USSR for establishing stations for monitoring environmental background

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study is an initial assessment of the Soviet Far North with a view to siting possible stations to monitor background levels of atmospheric pollution, especially pollution by heavy metals. Climatic, geomorphological, and geochemical factors were taken into consideration. The latter are particularly important in view of the limited capacity of the landscapes of the Far North for self‐cleansing. Taking into consideration both nodal industrial developments such as Noril'sk or Bilibino and territorial production complexes, either existing or planned, such as those of the Northern Ob’ or Timan‐Pechora, the authors identify and map nine regions, scattered along the entire Soviet arctic littoral which they consider to be suitable sites for background monitoring stations.