Abstract

Detailed measurements of particulate matter (PM) were conducted in the boreal arctic environment, next to an actively-operating open pit mine. Three distinct PM sources with different chemical composition were identified: mining activities, long-range transported (LRT) PM and clean arctic air. The main sources of PM originating from the mining area were vehicular emissions for submicron particles (PM1) and mining activities (including re-suspended dust) for supermicron particles (PM1–10). PM1 originating from mining activities had a high contribution of black carbon (44%–48%), organic carbon (31%–46%) and a minor contribution from inorganic ions (< 21%) suggesting that it was mainly originating from the vehicles. Based on elemental composition it is likely that supermicron particles were mechanically generated and re-suspended PM from mining activities. In contrast, for the air mass originating from the arctic areas, PM concentrations were very low and PM had a different chemical composition. During the LRT episode, elevated sulphate concentrations in submicron particles were observed.