Environmental quality assessment in Kirovsk (Murmansk Region) based on the state of Siberian spruce needles

The paper presents data on environmental quality assessment of the state of Siberian spruce needles (Picea obovata) in Kirovsk, Murmansk Region for the period autumn 2019. It is confirmed that the methods of bioindication of the environment using coniferous plants are based primarily on the study of their morphological and structural changes. It was found that the condition of Siberian spruce needles in the study area (Kirovsk, Murmansk Region) is assessed as satisfactory. The average percentage of the area of damaged plants at different sampling points ranges from 1,96 to 2,4%. With the height of the tree, the needles become more susceptible to drying out, which may be due to an increase in the age (aging) of shoots and needles, as well as the action of abiotic factors (wind, precipitation). The dependence of the average percentage of damage on height was not revealed. The main conclusion is that the state of the environment in Kirovsk, Murmansk Region is rated as good. Indicators for assessing the state of the environment in the study areas differ slightly. The obtained data can be used for monitoring the environment of various districts of the Murmansk Region and other areas of Northern latitudes, for making a plan of environmental measures and environmental monitoring of various industrial enterprises of the Murmansk Region.