ISSN 1239-6095 (print),   ISSN 1797-2469 (online)
© Boreal Environment Research 2008

Contents of Volume 13 Number 2

Dal Maso, M., Sogacheva, L., Anisimov, M. P., Arshinov, M., Baklanov, A., Belan, B., Khodzher, T. V., Obolkin, V. A., Staroverova, A., Vlasov, A., Zagaynov, V. A., Lushnikov, A., Lyubovtseva, Y. S., Riipinen, I., Kerminen, V.-M. & Kulmala, M. 2008: Aerosol particle formation events at two Siberian stations inside the boreal forest. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 81–92.
Abstract
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Oravisjärvi, K., Rautio, A., Ruuskanen, J., Tiittanen, P. & Timonen, K. L. 2008: Air pollution and PEF measurements of children in the vicinity of a steel works. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 93–102.
Abstract
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Reinart, A., Kikas, Ü. & Tamm, E. 2008: Aerosol components and types in the Baltic Sea region. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 103–112.
Abstract
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Bonifacio, E., Santoni, S., Cudlin, P. & Zanini, E. 2008: Effect of dominant ground vegetation on soil organic matter quality in a declining mountain spruce forest of central Europe. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 113–120.
Abstract
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Saraniemi, M., Huusko, A. & Tahkola, H. 2008: Spawning migration and habitat use of adfluvial brown trout, Salmo trutta, in a strongly seasonal boreal river. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 121–132.
Abstract
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Arst, H., Erm, A., Herlevi, A., Kutser, T., Leppäranta, M., Reinart, A. & Virta, J. 2008: Optical properties of boreal lake waters in Finland and Estonia. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 133–158.
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Paavola, M., Laine, A. O., Helavuori, M. & Kraufvelin, P. 2008: Profiling four brackish-water harbours: zoobenthic composition and invasion status. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 159–175.
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Dal Maso, M., Sogacheva, L., Anisimov, M. P., Arshinov, M., Baklanov, A., Belan, B., Khodzher, T. V., Obolkin, V. A., Staroverova, A., Vlasov, A., Zagaynov, V. A., Lushnikov, A., Lyubovtseva, Y. S., Riipinen, I., Kerminen, V.-M. & Kulmala, M. 2008: Aerosol particle formation events at two Siberian stations inside the boreal forest. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 81–92.

We present one-year data on atmospheric aerosol particle size distributions covering the ultrafine size range from two measurement stations situated in central Siberia: Tomsk and Listvyanka. The size distributions were measured using Diffusion Aerosol Spectrometers (DAS), which are able to detect particles as small as 3 nm in diameter. The analysis of the size distribution time series revealed about 30 new-particle formation and growth events at both stations. The events occurred predominantly during the springtime. The average particle formation rates were 0.4 cm–3 s–1 at both stations, whereas the particle growth rates were on average 5.5 nm h–1 at Tomsk and 1.8 nm h–1 at Listvyanka. The formation and growth rates were comparable with those observed in the western part of the Eurasian boreal forest.
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Oravisjärvi, K., Rautio, A., Ruuskanen, J., Tiittanen, P. & Timonen, K. L. 2008: Air pollution and PEF measurements of children in the vicinity of a steel works. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 93–102.

The effects of short-term changes in particulate air pollution on the respiratory health of symptomatic children living near a steel works at Raahe, Finland, were assessed to determine whether particulate air pollution is associated with adverse respiratory effects, and whether specific sources of air pollution are responsible for these effects. A screening questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was distributed to 1355 primary school children during the winter, asking about lower respiratory symptoms (wheezing, attacks of wheezing, dry cough, asthma). 56 symptomatic children (34 with asthma and 16 with dry cough) were followed up for four months with measurements of daily peak expiratory flow (PEF). The acute effects of inhalable particles (PM10), fine particles (PM2.5), elements (Al, K, Cu, Zn, SO42–) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) were estimated by linear first-order autoregressive model. Mean daily PM2.5 concentrations were 10 µg m–3. Most regression coefficients between air pollution and morning and evening PEF were negative but not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant association between particulate air pollution and respiratory health among these symptomatic children. The only significant association was between Cu lag 3 (three days before) and morning PEF, it is difficult to assess, the meaning of this association, because the other variables related to Cu had no significant associations with morning or evening PEF. The significance of this observation therefore requires confirmation and further investigation.
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Reinart, A., Kikas, Ü. & Tamm, E. 2008: Aerosol components and types in the Baltic Sea region. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 103–112.

Atmospheric aerosol observed in Estonia in summer 2002 was classified with different methods. The aim of the investigation was to identify and characterise the main aerosol types and components in order to facilitate modelling of the regional aerosol. The classification scheme used enabled to identify aerosol types proceeding from the optical characteristics of aerosol in the UV region. The optical and size distribution characteristics were specified for the following aerosol types: marine clean mixed with continental clean, marine polluted mixed with continental average, continental polluted, and continental polluted mixed with smoke. Another classification method was based on the decomposition of the measured aerosol size distributions to basic aerosol components. It enabled a flexible linking of aerosol size distribution, composition, and optical properties. Percentages (mean ± SD for 17 days) of the basic components in the aerosol volume was estimated as follows: soot = 1.2% ± 1.4%, insoluble = 23.1% ± 8.3%, water-soluble = 44.0% ± 10.8%, accumulation mode sea salt = 31.6% ± 6.2%.
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Bonifacio, E., Santoni, S., Cudlin, P. & Zanini, E. 2008: Effect of dominant ground vegetation on soil organic matter quality in a declining mountain spruce forest of central Europe. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 113–120.

Grasses and shrubs constitute a high proportion of the total biomass in declining forest stands and may deeply affect soil organic matter. We fractionated the organic matter of 45 Oa horizons from the Krkonose Mts. into humic and fulvic acids (HA and FA) and related the differences to the dominant ground vegetation Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa and Molinia caerulea. Organic C was higher under M. caerulea than under Vaccinium myrtillus, but the humification rate was similar at all sites. A higher proportion of HA was found under M. caerulea, indicating that differences in species lead to variations in the quality of humic substances, but not in the quantitative aspects of the humification process. Regarding the importance of HA and FA in soil development, the findings suggest that, upon forest decline, major changes may be expected not only in the O horizons, but also in the whole soil profile.
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Saraniemi, M., Huusko, A. & Tahkola, H. 2008: Spawning migration and habitat use of adfluvial brown trout, Salmo trutta, in a strongly seasonal boreal river. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 121–132.

In July 2003, twenty large brown trout (Salmo trutta) were radio-tagged at Kiutaköngäs Falls in the Oulankajoki — a river in northern Finland — on their migration to spawning areas, to examine their movements, habitat use and overwintering in the river. The estimated average minimum daily movement of the trout before spawning was 348 m (S.D. = 139 m, n = 20), and during spawning, in late September, 208 m (S.D. = 160 m, n = 15). In winter, the fish were relatively localized (average minimum daily movement = 53 m, S.D = 23 m, n = 12). Upstream migrating trout ranged either in large, deep pool sections of the river or in rapid sections. During spawning, fish were commonly found in rapids and pool–rapid transition zones. In winter, trout resided almost entirely in deep pool sections. In spring, just after the ice break-up and rising water level due to snow melt, overwintering fish migrated downstream within two weeks, moving on average 2062 m (S.D. = 3514 m, n = 11) per day.
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Arst, H., Erm, A., Herlevi, A., Kutser, T., Leppäranta, M., Reinart, A. & Virta, J. 2008: Optical properties of boreal lake waters in Finland and Estonia. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 133–158.

A ten-year (1995–2005) research programme SUVI (Suomi–Viro) on the optics of Finnish and Estonian lakes has been completed. The objectives were to examine the light conditions, to map optically active substances (OAS), and to develop remote sensing methods. Altogether 14 Estonian and 7 Finnish lakes representing different types of water, from oligotrophic to hypertrophic and dystrophic were included. We performed extensive analyses of concentrations of three main OAS, light attenuation and Secchi depth. They varied among lakes and with seasons, but no systematic temporal change could be detected during the 10-year period. We studied the underwater light field using a spectrometer and two PAR quantum sensors, and elaborated three versions of optical classification of lake waters based on: (1) apparent optical properties and the amount of OAS, (2) irradiance reflectance spectra, and (3) light attenuation coefficient and the predominant OAS. We developed two models for determining the diffuse attenuation spectra of light, using data for (1) one wavelength and (2) three wavelengths, and elaborated a semiempirical model for quantitative description of the underwater light regime. We developed a bio-optical model for interpretation of remote sensing data that allows simulation of the reflectance spectra based on the concentrations of OAS. Winter expeditions were undertaken to examine the optical properties of ice and snow and the light conditions in the water beneath the ice cover. Gas pockets are the main optically active impurity in snow and ice. The transparency of ice is similar to that of lake water. The ice cover lowers the light level and makes the light more diffuse in the near surface liquid water layer.
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Paavola, M., Laine, A. O., Helavuori, M. & Kraufvelin, P. 2008: Profiling four brackish-water harbours: zoobenthic composition and invasion status. Boreal Env. Res. 13: 159–175.

Many studies worldwide have emphasized the need to map the potential of commercial ports to function as receiver and donor areas for nonindigenous species (NIS). In this study, the macroinvertebrate composition of hard and soft sea bottoms, hydrographical conditions, and traffic connections of four Finnish coastal harbours (Naantali, Koverhar, Porvoo, Hamina) were investigated and compared with 'natural' reference areas lacking anthropogenic constructions. The harbours hosted macroinvertebrate communities fairly similar to those found in adjacent reference areas, but sediment community diversity was slightly higher in harbour basins relative to in surrounding areas. A total of eight NIS were registered in the study. With regard to hydrography, NIS that tolerate low salinities, low temperatures and eutrophic conditions are most likely to survive local conditions and hence pose a potential risk for larger areas of the Baltic Sea. A ship traffic analysis revealed that the most important donor and recipient areas of ballast water to and from the study harbours are coastal harbours of other parts of the Baltic Sea and of the North Sea. Some suggestions are made for future harbour surveys along the Finnish coast.
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