The environment in the Russian arctic: Status report<sup>1</sup>

Vilchek, Gregory E.; Krasovskaya, T.M.; Tsyban, A.V.; Chelyukanov, V. V.

doi:10.1080/10889379609377584

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The Norilsk MiningMetallurgical Plant is one of the world's largest plants for mining and processing of copper-nickel ore. This plant is one of the main sources of pollution in the north-eastern part of Russia emitting S, Se, Cu, Ni, Co, Sb, As, Pb, Zn and Hg into the atmosphere (Vilchek et al, 1996;AMAP, 1997).…”

Section: Heavy Metals In the Insoluble Fraction Of Aerosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy metals in aerosols over the seas of the Russian Arctic

Шевченко

Lisitzin

Виноградова

et al. 2003

Science of The Total Environment

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A review of the data on heavy metals in aerosols over the seas of the Russian Arctic is presented. Results of heavy metal studies in aerosols obtained during 11 research expeditions in summeryautumn period from 1991 to 2000, and at Severnaya Zemlya and Wrangel Island in spring, in 1985-1989 are discussed. Concentrations of most heavy metals in the atmosphere in the marine boundary layer in the Russian Arctic are nearly of the same order as literature data from other Arctic areas. The content of heavy metals in the aerosols over the seas of the Russian Arctic shows an annual variation with maximal concentrations during the winteryspring season. In the summeryautumn period increased concentrations of heavy metals could be explained, in most cases, by natural processes (generation of sea salt aerosols, etc.). In some cases, aerosols from Norilsk and Kola Peninsula were detected. Particular attention was paid to estimation of horizontal and vertical fluxes of atmospheric heavy metals. We estimated annual variations in long-range transport of heavy metals into the Russian Arctic in 1986-1995. In winter and spring, up to 50% of the average air pollutant concentrations in the Russian Arctic are due to the Arctic atmospheric pollution itself. Moreover, the monthly and annual averaged fluxes of six anthropogenic chemical elements (arsenic, nickel, lead, vanadium, zinc and cadmium) onto the surface in the Arctic were estimated, and the values obtained were in reasonable agreement with the literature data available. ᮊ

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Section: Heavy Metals In the Insoluble Fraction Of Aerosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy metals in aerosols over the seas of the Russian Arctic

Шевченко

Lisitzin

Виноградова

et al. 2003

Science of The Total Environment

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“…The rapid development of infrastructure and the industrial base for communism, coupled with the pursuit of economic goals decreed in five-year plans, allowed not only for wasteful exploitation but also the expansion of the extractive industries into remote territories of the North (Koutaisoff, 1987;Lluardo, 1995). The nature and intensity of environmental degradation in Russia vary from region to region in part reflecting the type of mineral extraction as well as the scale of industrial development (Peterson, 1995;Yevseyev and Krasovskaya, 1998), but it is nevertheless possible to conclude that no other region of Russia has experienced the economic, social and environmental consequences of the collapse of the former Soviet Union more than the Russian North, which is widely recognised as being a strategic territorial and ecological reserve both on a national and on international scale (Poelzer, 1995;Vilchek et al, 1996a;Vilchek et al, 1996b).…”

Section: Emh 114 320mentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural resource use in the Russian North: a case study of diamond mining in the Republic of Sakha

Yakovleva

Alabaster

Петрова

2000

Environmental Management and Health

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The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) has a rich diversity of mineral resources and produces 99 per cent of Russia’s diamonds, worth annually US$1.5 billion and amounting to between 20‐25 per cent of the world’s output. During the period 1974 to 1987, ten “peaceful” underground nuclear explosions were made in the diamond province. One of these directly supported the diamond mining operations, but it “back‐fired”, contaminating the surface with radionuclides such as caesium‐137, strontium‐90, plutonium‐239 and 240, and americium‐241. Furthermore, the low level of implementation of existing environmental legislation by the diamond mining company has resulted in contamination of the river systems which are the key sources of drinking water, and has significantly affected the health status of the population, which may have long‐lasting consequences, as there is increasing evidence of genetic abnormalities. This paper investigates the exploitation of diamond reserves in the Republic of Sakha and its environmental, social and health impacts, and reviews the actions taken by the Government of the Republic to tackle these problems.

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