Effects of Point Source Atmospheric Pollution on Boreal Forest Vegetation of Northwestern Siberia

• Main Authors: Vlasova, T. M., Kovalev, B. I., Filipchuk, A. N.
• Other Authors: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK ALASKA REGION
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: Air Pollution and Control; Geography; Forestry; *AIR POLLUTION; *VEGETATION; ATMOSPHERICS; COMMUNITIES; DAMAGE; DIOXIDES; FALLOUT; HEAVY METALS; LICHENS; METALS; PLANT GROWTH; POLLUTION; REGIONS; RESISTANCE; SULFUR; USSR; SYMPOSIA; SIBERIA; TOXICITY; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; Component Reports; *Boreal forest; *Northwestern Siberia; Vascular plants; *Point source; Metallurgical industrial; Complex; Emissions; Fairbanks; Salix lanata; Alaska; Siberia
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADP007320; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADP007320

Atmospheric pollution from the Noril'sk Mining-Metallurgical Complex, in the form of heavy metals and sulfur components, has resulted in damage to plant communities in the area. Vegetation on over 550,000 ha has been detrimentally affected by the pollution fallout, primarily sulfur dioxide. Forests (mainly Larix sibirica) and most lichens have been killed within a 300,000-ha zone around Noril'sk and extending about 50 km to the south and southeast. Less severe damage to lichens and vascular plants extends 170 km to the south and 80 km to the east of the pollution source consistent with prevailing winds during the period of plant growth. Terricolous lichens are particularly vulnerable to the pollution products and among vascular plants Larix gmelinii, Picea obovata, Ledum palustre, Calamagrostis sp., and Salix lanata show least resistance. This article is from 'Proceedings of the International Conference on the Role of the Polar Regions in Global Change Held in Fairbanks, Alaska on 11-15 June 990. Volume 2', AD-A253 028, p423-428. See also Volume 1, AD-A253 027.