Assessment of the green spaces' state in the impact zone of the Pechenganikel smelter, the Murmansk region

Abstract

The study of the state of green spaces in urbanized areas is important due to their sanitary, hygienic and aesthetic role in the harsh climatic conditions of the Arctic. The objects of research were the green spaces of the urban-type settlement Nikel (the Murmansk region). The assessment of the distribution of tree and shrub species by categories of life state was carried out; revealed damage to leaves by atmospheric emissions, insects and fungi. A high degree of damage from pollution was noted in birch, mountain ash and bird cherry; aspen up to 85 % damaged by aphids; mechanical damage to the trunks was noted in about 26 % of the surveyed trees; 5 % of trees have frost cracks in the trunk. In the course of a comparative assessment of the chemical composition of birch leaves growing in the urbanized territory of Nikel and in forest ecosystems along the gradient of atmospheric pollution in the impact zone of the Pechenganikel plant, it was found that the concentrations of pollutants in birch leaves in technologically disturbed areas exceed background values. Birch leaves in the southern direction from the plant accumulate higher concentrations of Ni, Cu, Pb, Co, Fe than in the western and northern directions. In 2019, the concentrations of heavy metals in birch leaves increased compared to the previous study period (2004). In the urban area, the content of pollutants exceeds not only the values of the regional background, but also the levels identified in forest ecosystems along the gradient of atmospheric pollution. Concentration coefficients Cc show abnormally high values for Ni, Cu, Pb, Co, Fe; the maximum Cc values are noted for Ni and Co.

Study of Lawn Vegetation under the Influence of Mining and Processing Enterprise Activity in the Climatic Conditions of the Arctic Zone

“…In the urban areas of Russia's Murmansk region, green spaces are constantly exposed to various types of anthropogenic impacts, which, combined with the prevailing climate, often become the main reason for their unsatisfactory condition. Soils of residential, industrial, logistics, and public utility sites are characterized by an elevated level of pollutants, especially heavy metals [4]. The erosion of these soils leads both to the migration of pollutants in the form of fine dust into the neighboring ecosystems, and to an increase in the reclamation costs associated with eroded landscape areas, embankments, slopes, hydraulic structures, and road surfaces.…”