Technogenic load in small river watersheds in the Hibiny Mountains

Pollution loads and morphological changes in the Hibiny mountains ecosystems, one of the most industrially developed regions of the Russian North, were studied using landscape geochemical methods. Principal pollutants come from the local apatite-nepheline ore mining and processing industry which is responsible for mechanical disturbances as well. Some pollutants (Cu, Ni, Co, sulphur etc.) reach the territory because of long-range air transport from the Monchegorsk smelters. Different environmental media were sampled. Seven hydrochemical regions were distinguished, based on chemical composition of local small rivers. Hydrochemical composition of the most polluted of them is controlled by industrial polluted water discharges. The most polluted rivers are: B.Belaya, the lower parts of Loparskaya, Juksporiok etc. Lakes Umb and Imandra receive high amounts of different polluters with river waters. Pollutant loads at small river watersheds depend on height and aspect of mountain slopes. The internal mountain watersheds are the cleanest as a rule. Heightened air pollutant accumulation is typical for the height of 600-800 and 500 m due to atmospheric circulation patterns. Using GIS technologies, a synthetic map of technogenic loads in the Hibiny mountain region was compiled.