Sulphur in the Arctic environment (1): results of a catchment-based multi-medium study.
S-concentrations were determined in 9 different sample materials (precipitation (rain and snow), vegetation, O-, E-, B- and C- horizon pf podzols, streams water and ground water) collected in eight small catchments (10-30 km2) at different distances from major SO2 point-source emitters on the Kola Peninsula, Russia. Comparison of the results from these materials, representing different compartments of the ecosystems under varying natural conditions leads to a better understanding of sources, cycling and fate of S in the Arctic environment. More than 300,000 t of   SO2 emitted annually from the Kola smelters affect the air quality over a large area. Arctic climatic conditions (cold and dry) and the remote location of the emitters results in considerably lower S-deposition values than those observed in central Europe. The pathways of atmospheric S-deposition in the terrestrial environment vary significantly from summer to winter because different compartments of the ecosystems, with a different capability to accumulate S, are active. The actual S-flux is altered by every component of the ecosystem. When estimating the total S-deposition this effect must be considered.
Kashulina
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G
Polar Alpine Botanical Garden Institute (PABGI), Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Fersman  st., 14, Apatity, 184200, Murmansk region, Russia.
Reimann
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C
D001110:Arctic Regions; D002980:Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D011891:Rain; D012914:Snow; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D014873:Water Pollutants; D013455:Sulfur