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Long-term changes of heavy metal and sulphur concentrations in ecosystems of the Taymyr Peninsula (Russian Federation) North of the Norilsk Industrial Complex

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Abstract

The Norilsk industrial ore smelting complex (Taymyr Peninsula, Russian Federation) has significantly impacted many components of local terrestrial and aquatic environments. Whether it has had a major impact on the wider Russian Arctic remains controversial as studies are scarce. From 1986 to 2004, data on heavy metal (Cu, Ni, Zn, Hg, Cd and Hg) concentrations in fish (burbot), moss, lichens, periphyton, hydric soils and snow in and around Norilsk and the most northern parts of the Taymyr Peninsula were analysed. Very high concentrations of Cu (203 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 ± 51 \(\upmu \)g L − 1) and Ni (113 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 ± 15 \(\upmu \)g L − 1) were found in the water of the Schuchya River close to Norilsk. Heavy metal concentrations in burbot liver were highest in Lake Pyasino near Norilsk compared to other study regions that were >100 km distant. From 1989–1996, Cu (121 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 ± 39 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 SD), Zn (150 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 ± 70 \(\upmu \)g L − 1) and Ni (149 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 ± 72 \(\upmu \)g L − 1) snow concentrations were greatest in Norilsk, but were low elsewhere. By 2004, these concentrations had dropped significantly, especially for Cu—74 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 (±18.7 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 SD), Zn—81.7 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 (±31.3 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 SD) and Ni—80 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 (±18.0 \(\upmu \)g L − 1 SD). Norilsk and its surroundings are subject to heavy pollution from the Norilsk metallurgical industry but these are absent from the greater Arctic region due to the prevailing winds and the Byrranga Mountains. Pollution abatement measures have been made so further investigations are necessary in order to assess their efficiency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South Russian Regional Centre for Preparation and Implementation of International Projects Ltd, (CPPI-S), 200/1 Stachki Ave., Office 301, Rostov-on-Don, 344090, Russia

    Alexander V. Zhulidov & Tatiana Yu. Gurtovaya

  2. UNEP GEMS/WATER Programme, c/o NWRI, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 3H5

    Richard D. Robarts

  3. Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, 152742, Borok, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

    Dmitry F. Pavlov

  4. Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, 00251, Helsinki, Finland

    J. Kämäri

  5. Institute for Environmental Research, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O.Box 35 (YAD), 40351, Jyvaskyla, Finland

    J. J. Meriläinen

  6. Taymyrsky State Biosphere Reserve, Krasnoyarsky Kray, 18 Sovetskaya St., Khatanga, Russia

    Igor N. Pospelov

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  1. Alexander V. Zhulidov
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  2. Richard D. Robarts
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  3. Dmitry F. Pavlov
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  4. J. Kämäri
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  5. Tatiana Yu. Gurtovaya
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  6. J. J. Meriläinen
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  7. Igor N. Pospelov
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Correspondence to Richard D. Robarts.

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Zhulidov, A.V., Robarts, R.D., Pavlov, D.F. et al. Long-term changes of heavy metal and sulphur concentrations in ecosystems of the Taymyr Peninsula (Russian Federation) North of the Norilsk Industrial Complex. Environ Monit Assess 181, 539–553 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1848-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1848-y

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