Heavy metals from the Nikel area Investigation in Kolosjoki river 1995, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Abstract

A cooperative project between INEP, MUGMS and NIVA to identify the main sources of heavy metals pollution in the Nikel area has been performed. The assessment of pollution load on the river system from mine drainage and from industrial discharges was also an objective. Data from field work in 1995 combined with data from MUGMS have shown that the main pollution comes from industrial sites within Nikel. The significance of drainage from mines has been documented, and it is also shown that airborne deposition gives a contribution to the load of heavy metals. Concentrations of nickel in the main river vary between 20 and 1000 µg/l. Transport of nickel in Kolosjoki river downstream the town of Nikel is about 40 tons/year.