Trace elements and precious metals in snow samples from the immediate vicinity of nickel processing plants, Kola Peninsula, northwest Russia

The chemical composition of snowpack samples taken in the immediate vicinity (1–8 km) of nickel mines and processing plants on the Kola Peninsula, northwest Russia, was investigated. Snowpack sampling was carried out in March 1996 in the surroundings of the ore roasting and dressing plant at Zapoljarnij, and the nickel smelters at Nikel and Monchegorsk. The collected snow cover represents the total atmospheric input of heavy and noble metals during the 1995/96 winter season. The snow samples were analysed for up to 44 elements, using ICP-MS, ICP-AES, ion chromatography and graphite furnace atomic absorption techniques. Results indicate that all trace elements and precious metals show unusually high concentrations in the vicinity of the nickel ore roasting plant and smelters. Analytical data also reveal typical fingerprints of the two ore components (Noril′sk and Pechenga ore) used in the processes.