Long-Range Atmospheric Transport of Dust from the Caspian Sea Region to the Arctic Zone of the European Part of Russia in December 2023

A rare phenomenon—the long-range atmospheric transport of dust from the arid and semiarid territories of the Caspian Sea region through the center of the European part of Russia to its Arctic areas—was recorded in December 2023 during a field study of the physicochemical characteristics of airborne particles in Moscow and the snow composition in Arkhangelsk oblast. The analysis of the trajectories of the air mass transport, dynamics of spatial and temporal variability of the mass concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 matter in Moscow oblast, and numerical estimates and spatial distributions of near-surface concentrations and optical characteristics of airborne particles in the European part of Russia (according to the MERRA-2 reanalysis estimates) confirmed an increase in aerosol air pollution in the territories from the Caspian Sea to Arkhangelsk oblast. The snow sample taken in the area of Pinega Nature Reserve, Arkhangelsk oblast, in the spring of 2024, in the snow cover at a height of 18–20 cm (with a total snow thickness of 65 cm), was found to contain a yellowish layer of snow that fell in December 2023. The preliminary studies of the sample from this snow showed the presence of a large amount of organic suspended matter and plant residue, which in winter indicates transport of atmospheric aerosol from the southern regions of Russia.