Biologists from St. Petersburg State University and the A.K. Tembotov Institute of Ecology of Mountain Territories of the Russian Academy of Sciences have identified significant pollution of the Garabashi glacier on Elbrus.
According to RBC, high concentrations of zinc and copper were found during the study, which causes serious concerns among environmentalists. The Central Caucasus, stretching between the Elbrus and Kazbek Mountains, is a region with many glaciers, which are the sources of large rivers such as the Kuban and Terek, and play a key role in cooling the southern regions of Russia, preventing droughts.
However, in the last 30 years, the area of glaciers in this region has decreased from 692 to 590 square kilometers. Scientists say that the main reason for this phenomenon is anthropogenic impact, in particular, pollution associated with intensive tourist activity on Elbrus.
Pollution of glaciers with sediments containing heavy metals and radionuclides reduces their albedo, which accelerates the melting process. The highest levels of pollution were recorded near tourist sites such as cable cars and highways.
The main sources of pollution include motor transport, fuel combustion, and atmospheric transport of pollutants from North Africa and the Middle East.
At the moment, the level of pollution of glaciers does not pose an immediate threat to humans and ecosystems, however, scientists warn that the situation may worsen with an increase in anthropogenic pressure.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
