More information
Air pollution in the Norwegian-Russian border region has been of major concern for decades, particularly the emissions from the Petchenganikel smelter. In 1988 the Joint Norwegian-Soviet Commission on Environmental Co-Operation was established, which later was renegotiated with Russia in 1992. Its overall goal was to jointly solve the environmental problems in the border region.
Much monitoring on air pollution
As a result, much monitoring have been undertaken through different projects to establish a knowledge base to understand the effects air pollution have upon the terrestrial and aquatic environment in the area.
Severe effects of air pollution
The most severe effects of air pollution in the border areas between Norway and Russia, caused by sulphur dioxide emission from Nikel and Zapolyarny, seem to be on vegetation, surface water and soils, and thus also on other compartments of the ecosystem. The pollution problems are largest in Russia.
Investigations of soils show that the soil layers are contaminated by heavy metals (nickel and copper). According to the calculations (critical loads) future sulphur deposition has to be reduced to very low levels in order to stop the ongoing soil acidification.
The goal is to reduce emissions by 90 per cent
The Norwegian Government and the Nordic Investments Bank (NIB) are supporting a modernisation project to reduce emissions from Pechenganikel. The goal is to reduce emissions by 90 per cent and thereby reduce the environmental consequences in the region.
To follow up this modernisation project, the Norwegian Ministry of Environment asked the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) to co-ordinate and prepare a report. It summarises the environmental status in the border area based upon the most important findings from Norwegian and Russian research.
Read more
More information:
