SNOWPACK QUALITY AS AN INDICATOR OF AIR-POLLUTION IN FINNISH LAPLAND AND THE KOLA-PENINSULA, NW RUSSIA

Bulk snow samples were collected from the snowpack in open areas along two sampling lines running to the west from the Cu-Ni smelters at Nik el and Monchegorsk, NW Russia, during 1991-1993. The aim of the study was to estimate the area affected by sulphur and heavy metal depositio n from the smelters. Snowpack quality was used as an indicator of depo sition during winter time. The total sulphur, copper and nickel concen trations in the snowpack decreased significantly (p < 0.001) with incr easing distance from the smelters along the sampling line running dire ctly to the west from Monchegorsk. The deposition pattern was similar each winter during 1991-1993. The pH values did not correlate with the corresponding sulphur concentrations, and mere was no decreasing pH g radient in the snowpack on moving towards Monchegorsk. The effects of sulphur emissions from Monchegorsk on snowpack chemistry were not dete ctable on the Finnish side of the border. The 3-year mean of the total sulphur concentration was 0.27 mg/kg, and of the pH values 4.99, alon g the sampling line running to the west of Monchegorsk. The total sulp hur concentrations near me smelters (<20 km) varied between 0.37 and 0 .95 mg/kg. The effect of the Cu-Ni smelters at Nikel on snowpack quali ty was not detectable in northern Finnish Lapland. The 3-year mean for total sulphur was 0.20 mg/kg and for pH 4.96 along the sampling line running to the west of Nikel.