ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Soil Contamination in High Arctic Areas
of Human Impact, Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard
J. Gulińska1, G. Rachlewicz2,W. Szczuciński3,4, D. Barałkiewicz5 *, M. Kózka5,
E. Bulska6 , M. Burzyk7
1 Institute of Physical Geography and Environmental Planning, A. Mickiewicz University,
ul. Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
2 Institute of Quaternary Research and Geoecology, A. Mickiewicz University, ul. Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
3 Institute of Geology, A. Mickiewicz University, ul. Maków Polnych 16, 61-686 Poznań, Poland
4 Collegium Polonicum, ul. Kościuszki 1, 69-100 Słubice, Poland
5 Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Drzymały 24, 60 - 613 Poznań
6 Warsaw University, Warsaw Department of Analytical Chemistry, Pasteura 1, Warszawa
7 Institute of Geomorphology, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
ul. Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
2 Institute of Quaternary Research and Geoecology, A. Mickiewicz University, ul. Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
3 Institute of Geology, A. Mickiewicz University, ul. Maków Polnych 16, 61-686 Poznań, Poland
4 Collegium Polonicum, ul. Kościuszki 1, 69-100 Słubice, Poland
5 Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Drzymały 24, 60 - 613 Poznań
6 Warsaw University, Warsaw Department of Analytical Chemistry, Pasteura 1, Warszawa
7 Institute of Geomorphology, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2003;12(6):701–707
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Thirty-one metals and fifteen PAHs were examined in soils of central Spitsbergen, high Arctic. One of
the world’s northernmost human settlements and natural tundra were sampled to estimate the local human
impact and its range. The contamination caused by local sources is significant only in the closest vicinity,
and is usually at least an order of magnitude lower than European limits. The metal concentrations are
closely related to bedrock geology and they are at similar levels as elsewhere in Svalbard. The long-distance
transport of contaminants was not found at a significant level.
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