Temporal changes in atmospheric air pollution in industrial areas of Ida- and Laeaene-Viru counties

• Published in: Metsanduslikud uurimused no. 33
• Main Authors: Liblik, V, Pensa, M, Kundel, H. (University of Educational Science, Tallinn (Estonia). Inst. of Ecology)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Estonian
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: AGENTES NOCIVOS; AIR POLLUTION; COMPOSE ORGANIQUE; COMPUESTOS ORGANICOS; DIOXIDO DE AZUFRE; DIOXYDE DE SOUFRE; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; ESTONIA; ESTONIE; FACTEUR NUISIBLE; IMPACT SUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT; IMPACTO AMBIENTAL; INJURIOUS FACTORS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; POLLUTION ATMOSPHERIQUE; POLUCION DEL AIRE; SULPHUR DIOXIDE
• ISSN: 1406-9954; 1736-8723

The greatest sources of atmospheric emissions of alkaline dust and SO2 in Estonia are the soil shale based power plants and the cement production. In the vicinity of oil sale processing and chemical plants the organic pollutants, as well asammonia, H2S etc. are also found in the ambient air. Temporal changes in emission amounts and in atmospheric air pollution levels in North-East Estonia since 1960 until today (1997-98) are discussed. During the period of 1989-98 the emissions from power plants decreased about 2.5 times and those from cement production up to 40 times. In 1960-89 oil shale fly ash was the prevalent factor of air pollution, most notably in north-eastern and northern parts of the region. Since 1990-91 the proportion of SO2 has increased in the balance of alkaline and acidic components in some industrial areas. Zonation of landscapes on the basis of air pollution and the critical loads of pollutants for forest trees and Sphagnum are discussed