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Origin of sulphur in Canadian Arctic haze from isotope measurements

Nature volume 349, pages 142–145 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

SINCE the mid-1950s, there has been a marked increase in levels of air pollution in the Arctic region1–3. This is apparent from the pervasive haze that has been detected over large areas of the Northern Hemisphere3–6, which can cover up to 9% of the Earth's surface. The haze is most pronounced during January to April, and is characterized by a reduction in visibility and anomalously high levels of organic and inorganic compounds of the type found in polluted environments3,6,7. Most of the present knowledge about the origin of the chemical constituents of the haze comes from studies of elemental ratios and trajectory analyses2,4,6,7. Here we report the results of an analysis of the isotopic composition of sulphur in the Arctic haze. We find that most of the sulphur in the haze comes from Europe rather than from more local anthropogenic or biogenic sources, indicating that this form of air pollution becomes distributed globally.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Water Research Institute, Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4A6

    Jerome O. Nriagu & Robert D. Coker

  2. Atmospheric Environment Service, 4905 Dufferin Street, Downsview, Ontario, Canada, M3H 5T4

    Len A. Barrie

Authors
  1. Jerome O. Nriagu
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  2. Robert D. Coker
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  3. Len A. Barrie
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Nriagu, J., Coker, R. & Barrie, L. Origin of sulphur in Canadian Arctic haze from isotope measurements. Nature 349, 142–145 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/349142a0

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