ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF SNOW COVER SOLID PHASE IN SMALL SETTLEMENTS (THE CASE OF DOLON VILLAGE, REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN)

Abstract

The relevance of this work is caused by the need to expand the methods of complex environmental studies to assess the quality of environmental objects in small communities. The study of the elemental composition of dust and aerosol depositions will provide the most complete picture of the quality status of the main natural components. Air aerosols are a complex dispersed system that includes particles smaller than 10 microns. These particles have both natural and man-made origin: finely dispersed dust particles of soil, plants, microorganisms, soot, ash, components of smoke emissions from boiler houses, industry, etc. Atmospheric air of small settlements remains poorly studied, there are no systematic data on the chemical composition of atmospheric pollutants, and therefore the relevance of this work is determined. The aim of the research is to determine the elemental composition of the solid phase of the snow cover of a small settlement Dolon. Objects: dust-aerosol deposition, particulate matter of air aerosols, snow cover, coal and ash. Techniques: mass spectrometric and atomic emission with inductively coupled plasma (MS-ISP, OES-ISP) Results. The elemental composition of snow melt water and solid phase of snow was studied. To determine the degree of volatility of chemical elements their coefficient of enrichment from coal to ash was calculated. The main zones with increased content of heavy metals in dust and aerosol depositions were determined. In the snow cover of the investigated territory a group of elements with high migratory capacity was revealed. Maps of the snow cover pollution of the Dolon settlement were constructed with identification of areas (halos of pollution) with increased content of the studied groups of elements.

Keywords

• dust-aerosol deposition
• snow cover
• solid snow residue
• meltwater
• dust loading
• heavy metals