Dispersed Sedimentary Matter of the Atmosphere

In this chapter we summarize results of aerosol studies over the White Sea and its coasts; we also analyze contribution of different anthropogenic constituents from European industrial cities and areas into studied aerosol composition. We estimated the degree of anthropogenic influence of these sources on the atmosphere and the terrestrial environment in this region. Data on airborne heavy metal accumulation in natural archives (snow cover, lichens, lake sediments) are generalized. The most significant source regions for some anthropogenic components depositing on the White Sea surface from atmosphere are revealed. Annual average (for 2000s) fluxes of anthropogenic Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Al, and black carbon incoming to the White Sea waters from various regions are evaluated. Studied element concentrations in the White Sea aerosols are generally on the level typical for other Arctic regions. In the Kandalaksha Bay, we traced the air mass arrival from metallurgical facilities of Murmansk Region. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals and black carbon were found in vicinity of industrial urban agglomeration of Arkhangelsk. For the first time, we assess contribution of Kostomuksha field (Karelia Republic) surface mining into Fe and Al fluxes (these elements are of both lithogenic and anthropogenic origin) on the White Sea surface which are comparable to contribution of the other source regions.