Pollution of snow cover in the impact zone of enterprises in Norilsk Industrial Area

Abstract

The content of pollutants in snow samples and their composition have been determined. The quantitative indicators of the content of nickel, copper, and other heavy metals and sulfur are used to assess the nature of spatial pollution of snow cover in the impact zone of enterprises in the Norilsk Industrial Area (NIA). A map of distribution of heavy metals and sulfur in the region is compiled. It is established that the largest part of pollutants entering the atmosphere in the form of dust was deposited on the underlying surface near sources of industrial emissions (up to 7 km from them). The pollutants entering the atmosphere in the form aerosols and gases are transported over considerable distances. A greater concentration of water-soluble forms of sulfur when compared with the background are marked at a distance of more than 400 km. Calculations show that only 2% of all sulfur emissions are deposited within a radius of 250 km and the remaining portion of sulfur is incorporated into the global geochemical cycles.