The transfer of airborne pollutants to the Arctic region
Abstract
Chemical analysis of the Arctic aerosol has shown that considerable amounts of air pollutants are brought into the Arctic region in winter, particularly from sources in Europe and the eastern U.S.S.R. It is pointed out that mercury and chlorinated hydrocarbons, which after initial deposition can be re-emitted to the atmosphere by sublimation, must be subject to a systematic long term transfer from warmer to colder regions. For mercury natural emission may have resulted in an equilibrium between amounts deposited on the earth surface and ambient air concentrations. The heavier chlorinated hydrocarbons have probably not yet reached this stage. Continued large scale use of DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons may therefore lead to a long term increase of environmental concentrations, also in countries where restrictions on the use of these substances have led to a reduction of their concentrations in food and other biological materials. The Arctic is also the place where the first signs of a climatic change due to the increasing content of carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the atmosphere, may be detected. In order not to misinterpret any such symptoms, a detailed knowledge of the composition of the Arctic aerosol and its possible influence on the radiation balance is essential, and in view of the future oil exploitation activities in this region, the necessary investigations should not be delayed for too long.
- Publication:
-
Atmospheric Environment
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0004-6981(81)90350-4
- Bibcode:
- 1981AtmEn..15.1439O