Mineralogical fingerprints of industrial emissions — an example from Ni mining and smelting on the Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

Fifteen large (>20 kg) snowpack samples, representing the atmospheric deposition of one winter (1995/1996), were collected in the vicinity (1.5–8 km) of the copper–nickel processing plants on the Kola Peninsula, NW Russia. Microscopical (reflected light) and electron microprobe investigations were carried out on polished sections of filter residues (>0.45 μm) of these samples to identify the mineralogical composition of the particulate deposition. The technique allows us to directly distinguish between particles originating from geogenic sources (e.g. windblown rock dust) and additional anthropogenic input from industrial sources. Furthermore, it was possible to gain information on the metallurgical processes used in the different factories (one roasting plant and two smelters using different technology). Each industry emits a very characteristic spectrum of particulates. The mineralogy of the particulate inpute can thus be directly used to unravel the source of observed heavy metal inputs at any one place even in complex situations with several industries located at close distance.