Winter Spatial Patterns in PM 2.5 Concentration and Air Quality Index in the Arctic Town
https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2025-3756
Abstract
The current study presents the results of air quality research in the small mining and touristic city of Apatity (Kola Peninsula, Russian Federation, 67o34’03’’N, 33o23’36’’E) during the two winter expeditions in 2022 and 2024. A PurpleAir PA-II portable device was used for ground-based aerosol observations. Two measurement campaigns allowed to conduct route measurements in various synoptic conditions, including both frosty windless weather, characterized by temperature inversion (2022), and contrasting conditions of “warm” winter unusual in the Arctic and Kola Peninsula (January 2024). The obtained results demonstrate that, depending on the synoptic situation in the city, there can be both traditional accumulation of concentrations of PM 2.5 particles (up to 300 µg/m3) dangerous for the health of inhabitants (in some areas exceeding the 20 min maximum allowable concentration of 160 µg/m3 almost twice), and significant improvement of air quality due to precipitation and air mixing under warm winter conditions (on average, about 17 µg/m3). The latter circumstance can noticeably improve the region’s tourism potential in a warmer climate.
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation under project No. 23-27-00254.
About the Authors
Iuliia V. Mukhartova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography ; Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Physics
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Alen A. Kospanov
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Mariya E. Zubova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Anastasia A. Semenova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Uliana I. Antipina
Institute of Global Climate and Ecology named after Academician Yu.A. Israel
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Glebovskaya str. 20B, Moscow, 107258
Igor V. Malyutin
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Daria Yu. Gushchina
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Marina V. Slukovskaya
Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Fersman str. 14, Apatity, 184209
Varvara S. Maratkanova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Pavel I. Konstantinov
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography ; Shenzhen MSU-BIT University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Longgang District, Shenzhen, 518172, PR China
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For citations:
Mukhartova I., Kospanov A.A., Zubova M.E., Semenova A.A., Antipina U.I., Malyutin I.V., Gushchina D.Yu., Slukovskaya M.V., Maratkanova V.S., Konstantinov P.I. Winter Spatial Patterns in PM 2.5 Concentration and Air Quality Index in the Arctic Town. GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2025;18(2):164-174. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2025-3756
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