Articles | Volume 13, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2075-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2075-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
29 Jul 2019
Research article |
| 29 Jul 2019
| 29 Jul 2019
Airborne radionuclides and heavy metals in high Arctic terrestrial environment as the indicators of sources and transfers of contamination
Department of Nuclear Physical Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Physics,
Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 31-342, Poland
Agata Zaborska
Marine Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Institute of Oceanology,
Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, 81-712, Poland
Ireneusz Sobota
Department of Hydrology and Water Management, Polar Research Centre,
Nicholas Copernicus University, Toruń, 87-100, Poland
Paweł Gaca
School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National
Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
J. Andrew Milton
School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National
Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
Paweł Kocurek
Research and Development Laboratory for Aerospace Materials,
Rzeszów University of Technology, Rzeszów, 35-959, Poland
Anna Cwanek
Department of Nuclear Physical Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Physics,
Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 31-342, Poland
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Benedict T. I. Reinardy, Adam D. Booth, Anna L. C. Hughes, Clare M. Boston, Henning Åkesson, Jostein Bakke, Atle Nesje, Rianne H. Giesen, and Danni M. Pearce
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Short summary
Cryoconite granules built of mineral particles, organic substances and living organisms significantly influence fluxes of energy and matter at glacier surfaces. They contribute to ice melting, give rise to an exceptional ecosystem, and effectively trap contaminants. This study evaluates contamination levels of radionuclides in cryoconite from Arctic glaciers and identifies sources of this contamination, proving that cryoconite is an excellent indicator of atmospheric contamination.
Cryoconite granules built of mineral particles, organic substances and living organisms...
