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Murmansk, situated at 68.9706°N, 33.0750°E in Russia's Murmanskaya Oblast', is the world's largest city north of the Arctic Circle, occupying a strategic position on the eastern shore of the Kola Bay, an inlet of the Barents Sea. This unique geography profoundly influences its air quality dynamics. The city is built on steep, rocky hills rising from the coastline, with elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 80 meters, creating a compact urban core surrounded by sparse taiga forest and tundra. Murmansk's location within the Arctic Circle means it experiences polar night in winter and midnight sun in summer, affecting atmospheric stability and pollution dispersion. The urban area is hemmed in by the Kola Peninsula's rugged terrain, which can trap pollutants under specific weather conditions, while the proximity to the relatively warm Barents Sea—kept ice-free by the North Atlantic Current—moderates temperatures but also contributes to frequent fog and low cloud cover that can exacerbate pollution episodes. As the administrative and economic hub of the region, Murmansk hosts general urban pollution sources including vehicular traffic, residential heating (primarily from coal and natural gas during the long winter), and port activities linked to shipping and fishing industries. The city lies within an industrial belt extending along the Kola Bay, with nearby facilities in mining and metallurgy, though these are typically located in satellite towns rather than within Murmansk proper. The urban–rural gradient is sharp, with the city abruptly giving way to wilderness, limiting agricultural zones but allowing for some natural air cleansing from boreal forests when winds are favorable.

In Murmansk's Arctic climate, air quality follows a distinct seasonal rhythm shaped by extreme daylight variations and meteorological factors. Winter (December to February) brings the polar night, with temperatures often plunging below -10°C, leading to intense temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the ground, especially from residential heating and vehicle emissions. This season sees the highest pollution levels, with January typically being the peak month; sensitive groups like asthmatics and the elderly should limit outdoor activities during calm, cold spells. Spring (March to May) offers gradual improvement as increasing daylight and stronger winds disperse pollutants, though melting snow can temporarily stir up particulate matter, making April a transitional period with moderate air quality. Summer (June to August) features the midnight sun and milder temperatures, with pollution at its lowest due to reduced heating needs and better atmospheric mixing, though occasional fog from the Barents Sea can cause short-term visibility issues and minor pollutant accumulation—July is generally the best month for outdoor pursuits. Autumn (September to November) sees a return to deteriorating conditions as heating systems are reactivated and daylight wanes, with October often marking the onset of more frequent pollution episodes due to cooling temperatures and stable air masses. Throughout the year, wind patterns from the northwest can bring cleaner marine air, while southerly winds may carry industrial emissions from nearby regions, underscoring the need for year-round monitoring by residents with respiratory conditions.