Insoluble fractions of aerosols and heavy metals in fresh snow in the North-West of the Kola Peninsula in 2018

Abstract

As a result of studies of newly fallen snow in the North of the Kola Peninsula, it was found that from January to May 2018 its density amounted, on the average, to 0.160±0.006 g/cm3 (n = 82), and pH of melted snow water – 6.87±0.14 (n = 47). Neutral and slightly alkaline reaction of snow water impedes the mobility of heavy metals in the insoluble fraction of aerosols. In loose fresh snow (density less than 0.2 g/cm3) the content of solid aerosols increases as the snow density grows. The average concentration of solid aerosol particles in freshly fallen snow is 4.04±0.24 mg/l (n = 47). Over the winter period of 2018 (120 days), about 1.85–2.37 thousand tons of aerosol substance precipitated on the underlying surface of the area under investigation. The daily deposition of aerosols averaged 1.03–1.33 mg·m−2, and together with solid precipitation, μg·m−2·day−1: Zn – 12.5–14.2, Cu – 2.2–2.5, Pb – 0.58–0.66, Cd – 0.31–0.42. According to the results of our researches, two impact areas were previously identified, both allocated to large regional centers. The Murmansk coast is divided into three background areas, each of which corresponds to its natural landscape complex.