There are thousands of contaminated sites in the Arctic, and as permafrost thaws, increased pollutants from these areas could be released, says a recent study. Climate affecting permafrost barriersDuring the Cold War, industrial expansion took place across the Arctic, the researchers said. To do their paper, the researchers examined data from OpenStreetMap and from the Atlas of Population, Society and Economy in the Arctic. Using those sources, they identified 4,500 industrial sites either using or storing potentially harmful pollutants. “As a result, more and more industrial facilities are being constructed, which could also release toxic substances into nearby ecosystems,” the news release said.

Source: CBC News April 06, 2023 20:21 UTC