Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia

Today, protected natural areas cover about 15% of the Earth’s land. These areas by definition are supposed to be free of pollution; they nevertheless suffer from the effects of aerial transport of anthropogenic polluting substances. In this study, we evaluated the impact of settlements on protected...

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Main Authors: Aleksei Kholodov, Kirill Golokhvast
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Scientifica
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/9148416
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author Aleksei Kholodov
Kirill Golokhvast
author_facet Aleksei Kholodov
Kirill Golokhvast
author_sort Aleksei Kholodov
collection DOAJ
description Today, protected natural areas cover about 15% of the Earth’s land. These areas by definition are supposed to be free of pollution; they nevertheless suffer from the effects of aerial transport of anthropogenic polluting substances. In this study, we evaluated the impact of settlements on protected natural areas to determine the optimal distance beyond which the anthropogenic influence would be minimal. For this purpose, we analyzed the particle size distribution and the content of metals in fresh snow samples collected in the Bastak Nature Reserve and the neighboring Birobidzhan city (Russian Federation). Both sites contained comparable proportions of PM10 and contents of heavy metals, which points to the transportation of air pollutants from the city to the reserve. The results of the analysis were summarized and compared with the available data on other nature reserves and nearby populated localities. Based on the research data, pollutant emissions should be decreased for cities that are closer than 50 km to nature reserves. Moreover, authorities should take into consideration atmospheric factors and distance to the nearest settlement when establishing new protected natural areas.
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spelling doaj-art-ef82c64bc2d34f4182fdd8e712f0e3d92025-02-03T01:28:33ZengWileyScientifica2090-908X2020-01-01202010.1155/2020/91484169148416Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in RussiaAleksei Kholodov0Kirill Golokhvast1Far East Geological Institute, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, RussiaFar Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, RussiaToday, protected natural areas cover about 15% of the Earth’s land. These areas by definition are supposed to be free of pollution; they nevertheless suffer from the effects of aerial transport of anthropogenic polluting substances. In this study, we evaluated the impact of settlements on protected natural areas to determine the optimal distance beyond which the anthropogenic influence would be minimal. For this purpose, we analyzed the particle size distribution and the content of metals in fresh snow samples collected in the Bastak Nature Reserve and the neighboring Birobidzhan city (Russian Federation). Both sites contained comparable proportions of PM10 and contents of heavy metals, which points to the transportation of air pollutants from the city to the reserve. The results of the analysis were summarized and compared with the available data on other nature reserves and nearby populated localities. Based on the research data, pollutant emissions should be decreased for cities that are closer than 50 km to nature reserves. Moreover, authorities should take into consideration atmospheric factors and distance to the nearest settlement when establishing new protected natural areas.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/9148416
spellingShingle Aleksei Kholodov
Kirill Golokhvast
Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia
Scientifica
title Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia
title_full Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia
title_fullStr Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia
title_full_unstemmed Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia
title_short Air Pollution of Nature Reserves near Cities in Russia
title_sort air pollution of nature reserves near cities in russia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/9148416
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AT kirillgolokhvast airpollutionofnaturereservesnearcitiesinrussia