Articles | Volume 26, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-5839-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-5839-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
29 Apr 2026
Research article |
| 29 Apr 2026
| 29 Apr 2026
Unprecedented radioactive pollution in Spitsbergen's air – first data of the 21st century
Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Kraków, Poland
Agnieszka Burakowska
National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock-Świerk, Poland
Ewa Nalichowska
Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Kraków, Poland
Magdalena Długosz-Lisiecka
Lodz University of Technology, Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, 90-924 Łódz, Poland
Marek Kubicki
Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-452 Warszawa, Poland
Tomasz Wawrzyniak
Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-452 Warszawa, Poland
Edyta Łokas
Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Kraków, Poland
Michał Gryziński
National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock-Świerk, Poland
Gabriela Lubera
Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Kraków, Poland
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The long-term effects of alkalinisation upon peatland ecosystem functioning remains poorly understood. Using palaeoecological techniques, we show that intensive cement dust pollution altered vegetation cover and reduced carbon storage in an Estonian peatland. Changes also occurred during the 13th century following agricultural intensification. These shifts occurred following substantial as well as small but sustained increases in alkalinity. Limited recovery was evident ~30 years post-pollution.
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The long-term effects of alkalinisation upon peatland ecosystem functioning remains poorly understood. Using palaeoecological techniques, we show that intensive cement dust pollution altered vegetation cover and reduced carbon storage in an Estonian peatland. Changes also occurred during the 13th century following agricultural intensification. These shifts occurred following substantial as well as small but sustained increases in alkalinity. Limited recovery was evident ~30 years post-pollution.
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Short summary
We looked at man-made radioactive substances in the Arctic lower atmosphere. We found that airborne plutonium is linked to environmental processes, including local redistribution, possibly biomass burning, and long-range transport from remote areas. However, the presence of americium and neptunium in the air could not be explained by natural mechanisms, suggesting recent nuclear releases. We reconstructed aerosol trajectories to identify the most likely transport pathways from northern Eurasia.
We looked at man-made radioactive substances in the Arctic lower atmosphere. We found that...
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