Report on Joint Ecogeochemical Mapping and Monitoring in the Scale of 1:1 million in the West Murmansk Region and the Contiguous Areas of Finland and Norway

Abstract

A series of meetings between the Central Kola Survey Expedition (CKSE), Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) in 1991-1992 led to the implementation of a pilot project of a joint ecogeochemical study of the impacts of industrial activities on the terres- trial systems of West Kola Peninsula and adjacent areas in Finland and Norway. The main aims of this pilot project were to harmonize methods of sampling, preparation, analysis, data treatment and interpretation, focusing on heavy metals and radionuclides. A small area (12,000km\u00B2) in the tri-state area, including Nikel, Zapoljarny and Kirkenes was chosen as test territory. Experiences of the pilot project should form a base for planning a major project to cover some 170,000 km\u00B2 in the three countries. Snow cover, terres- trial moss, Ao-horizon, A0+2-horizon, C-horizon, stream water, stream sedi- ments and overbank sediments were used as sampling medias, with 15 sites in each country. A data quality assessment was carried out, and maps of pollutant elements clearly delineate patterns similar to those found by other workers. There is no indication that C-horizon is affected, but results of overbank sediments indicate that there are abnormal conditions with regards to the sediment transport and chemistry in the \"industrial desert\". Results of 134,137 Cs determinations in the uppermost 5 cm of the soil profile show no alarming levels. An attempt at modelling the flux of contaminants is also done.