Scholarly record
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF COAL MINING PRACTICES IN SVALBARD: INSIGHTS FROM SOIL, VEGETATION, AND COAL ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS
Abstract
This study quantifies the elemental composition of soil, vegetation, and the level of trace elements in coals to identify the impacts associated with coal mining practices in the Longyearbyen and Barentsburg settlements, the Svalbard archipelago. The analysis is based on a data set that includes 26 chemical elements measured in 74 soil, 29 vegetation, and 4 coal samples provided by a catena-based survey strategy. The concentrations of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V) in the soils did not exceed the European regulatory standards (the Finnish Standard and the Norwegian Soil Quality Standard), while arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) overstepped their threshold values in some soils. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) values showed that soils were enriched in titanium (Ti), strontium (Sr), boron (B), and zirconium (Zr). The elemental screening of the exposed coals, soils, and vegetation revealed high concentrations of these four elements as well. The examination of geospatial patterns shows that the concentrations of Ti, Sr, Zr, and B in the soils are distributed evenly along the most of the sampling transects (catenas). While the distribution of elements in the soils between the transects (catenas) varies considerably, the highest concentrations for Ti, Sr, B, and Zr are observed near the currently operating coal mining and transportation facilities.
Publication Impact Profile
- Citations
- Scopus - Citation Indexes: 2
- Captures
- Mendeley - Readers: 3
Publication details
References17
Baciu, D., and A. Abramova. 2020. Svalbard's Arctic settlements: from mining sites to urbanized environments. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts: 2458. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-2458
Gulinska, J., G. Rachlewicz, W. Szczucinski, D. Baralkiewicz, M. Kozka, E. Bulska, and M. Burzyk. 2003. Soil contamination in high Arctic areas of human impact, Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 12 (6): 701-707.
Krajcarova, L., K. Novotny, Chattova, and J. Elster. 2016. Elemental analysis of soils and salix polaris in the town of Pyramiden and its surroundings (Svalbard). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23 (10): 10124-10137. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6213-4
Marques, M., J. Sierra, T. Drotikova, M. Mari, M. Nadal, and J. L. Domingo. 2017. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace elements in Arctic soils: A case-study in Svalbard. Environmental Research 159: 202-211. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.003
Abramova, A., S. Chernianskii, N. Marchenko, and E. Terskaya. 2016. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in snow particulates around Longyearbyen and Barentsburg settlements, Spitsbergen. Polar Record 52: 645-659. DOI: 10.1017/s0032247416000243
Gallet, J-C., M. Bjorkman, C. Borstad, A. Hodson, H-W. Jacobi, C. Larose, B. Luks, A. Spolaor, A. Urazgildeeva, and C. Zdanowicz. 2018. Snow research in Svalbard: current status and knowledge gaps. State of Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) Report.
Vecchiato, M., E. Barbaro, A. Spolaor, F. Burgay, C. Barbante, R. Piazza, and A. Gambaro. 2018. Fragrances and PAHs in snow and seawater of Ny-Alesund (Svalbard): Local and long-range contamination. Environmental Pollution 242: 1740-1747. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.07.095
Wojtun, B., A. Samecka-Cymerman, and K. Kolon. 2018. Metals in racomitrium lanuginosum from Arctic (SW Spitsbergen, Svalbard archipelago) and alpine (Karkonosze, SW Poland) tundra. Environmental Science Pollution Research 25: 12444-12450. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1508-2
Holm, E. B., P. J. Brandvik, and E. Steinnes. 2003. Pollution in acid mine drainage from mine tailings in Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic. Journal de Physique IV (Proceedings) 107: 625-628. DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030381
Sondergaard, J, B. Elberling, G. Asmund, C. Gudum, and K. M. Iversen. 2007. Temporal trends of dissolved weathering products released from a high Arctic coal mine waste rock pile in Svalbard (78 N). Applied Geochemistry 22 (5): 1025-1038. DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2007.02.004
Cecinato, A., R. Mabilia, and F. Marino. 2000. Relevant organic components in ambient particulate matter collected at Svalbard Islands (Norway). Atmospheric Environment 34 (29-30): 5061-5066. DOI: 10.1016/s1352-2310(00)00188-6
Weinbruch, S., T. Drotikova, N. Benker, and R. Kallenborn. 2015. Particulate and gaseous emissions of power generation at Svalbard (Atmopart). (Final Report, prepared for the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund). Accessed 08 April 2021. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283054521_Particulate_and_gaseous_emissio ns_of_power_generation_at_Svalbard_AtmoPart.
Ministry of the Environment. 2007. Maaperan pilaantuneisuuden ja puhdistustarpeen arviointi. Assessment of soil contamination and remediation needs. Environmental Administration Guidelines 2/2007.
Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security Report for the Storting. Report (Meld. St.) # 32 (2015-2016) to the Storting (white paper) Svalbard. Accessed 08 April 2021. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/meld.-st.-32-20152016/id2499962/.
Yaqin, J.I., F.E.N.G. Yinchang, W.U. Jianhui, Z.H.U. Tan, B.A.I. Zhipeng, and D.U.A.N. Chiqing. 2008. Using geoaccumulation index to study source profiles of soil dust in China. Journal of Environmental Sciences 20 (5): 571-578. DOI: 10.1016/s1001-0742(08)62096-3
Ottesen, R. T., J. Bogen, T. E. Finne, M. Andersson, W. K. Dallmann, O. A. Eggen, and T. Volden. 2010. Geochemical atlas of Norway-Part 2: Geochemical atlas of Spitsbergen. Chemical composition of overbank sediments. Trondheim: Norges geologiske undersokelse.
Flem, B., O. A. Eggen, E. Torgersen, M. K. Kongsvik, and R. T. Ottesen. 2018. Urban geochemistry in Kristiansand, Norway. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 187: 21-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.03.004
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.