STUDIES OF PRECIPITATION CONTAMINATION LEVELS OVER THE NORTH-WESTERN FORESTS OF RUSSIA SUBJECT TO EMISSIONS FROM THE 2 NICKEL SMELTERS

The results of investigations carried out in the forests of Kola penin sula subject to long-term air pollution by the nickel industrial enter prises are presented. Samples of rainwater from the open sites, from u nder the coniferous (pine) trees crowns and of the stemflow were colle cted at various distances from the emission sources. The highest level s in pollution of rainwater are detected over the area adjacent to the smelters. Researches of contamination of the precipitation in the vic inity of the two nickel enterprises of Kola peninsula show that concen trations of pollutants vary significantly (up to an order of magnitude ) depending upon the meteorological conditions. The area of impact on forests of Kola peninsula is restricted by the radius of 30-40 km from the emission sources.