Estimation of SO2 Emission into the Air of the Norilsk Industrial Region

Abstract

The data from aircraft sounding of the emission plume in the atmosphere of the Norilsk industrial region in summer are numerically analyzed. A two-parameter model was developed for numerical retrieval of impurity concentrations in directions transverse to the plume. The lower limits of sulfur dioxide emission corresponding to different emission times are estimated on the basis of the model. Considerable variability of the estimates is found due to nonstationarity of sulfur dioxide emission into the atmosphere. The average emission of SO₂ into the atmosphere is estimated as 1.86 million tons/year, which is close to the official statistics.