RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF YAKUTSK 

Makarov V.N.¹

¹Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Siberian branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia

In 2019–2020, the distribution of rare-earth elements (REE) in the urban atmosphere of Yakutsk was studied. The chemical composition of particulate matter was examined in the summer and winter (the snow cover) atmosphere. The results indicate that in summer REE primarily concentrate in the dust fraction of particulate matter, together with siderophilic elements. Wintertime particulate matter is more dispersed. The average REE concentrations are 0.0n–10n in the summer particulate matter and 0.0n–n mg/kg in the winter particulate matter. The system “soil – particulate matter dust – particulate matter snow” shows a uniform decrease in REE concentration and a gradual reduction in the La/Y ratio. The bulk of atmospheric REEs (about 99%) is deposited during summer. The average deposition flux for the city is 625 μg/m2 day, primarily consisting of La, Ce, Nd and Y. In the northern, industrial part of Yakutsk with more contrasting anomalies, the flux is two to three times higher. A total REE deposition comprises approximately 1.2 · 10–2% of the annual atmospheric deposition of pollutants in Yakutsk.

Key words: atmosphere, particulate matter, urban, rare-earth elements, snow cover

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