The appraisal of snow sampling for environmental pollution valuation

The snow sampling as well as nickel and copper determination were realized during winter seasons 1987, 88 and 89 years, in Kola Peninsula at area about 4000 km(2) affected by industrial emissions of big nickel-copper plant ''Severonickel'' Smelter Complex situated in latitude 68 degrees N, altitude 31 degrees E. All investigated territory is found contaminated by nickel and copper by the factor 6-1500 times more than the European background, dependently for the distance and direction from the pollution source. The metal accumulation by snowpack is found considerably dependent upon meteorological conditions due to the metal leaching from snow during thaws and winter rains. Accordingly a snow sampling is inapplicable for a pollution monitoring in the subarctic seaside climate, because it may lead to false conclusions. This method may be useful only for reconnaisans, initial valuation of the unknown territory pollution.