From 1999 to 2003 a multipurpose regional geochemical mapping project, was carried out in Finland, and the NW-part of Russia. An important aim of the project is to define the anthropogenic impact in relation to the natural variations in regional geochemical baselines of heavy metals and other elements over a large area containing several of the largest industrial emitters in Europe but also some of its most pristine areas.
Terrestrial moss, the organic layer, stream waters, and the C-horizon soil samples were collected from1085 sites in Russia and 288 sites in Finland, giving an average density of one site per 1000 km2.
Both total and aqua regia extractable element concentrations were determined from