Trace elements composition of surface snow in the polar zone of northwestern Siberia: the impact of urban and industrial emissions.

Abstract

In order to evaluate the level of atmospheric pollution in the north of Western Siberia, we studied the composition of urban snow in the vicinity of the Tazovsky settlement as well as in the area of Zapolyarnoye-the largest natural gas field in Russia in terms of a total extraction volume. Our results indicate that anthropogenic activities have caused an increase in electric conductivity and pH values of meltwaters. Concentrations of dissolved and particulate forms of trace elements (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd) were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Dissolved forms of Cd, Zn, and Mn and particulate forms of Cu, Fe, and Ni prevailed in meltwaters of background territories. Human-affected territories were characterized by a predominance of particulate forms of trace elements (except Cd), which indicated increased dust deposition rates. For Cu, Mn, and Fe, mean values of contamination factor (CF) exceeded background levels by 4.4, 4.7, and 6.6 times, respectively. At some sampling sites, concentrations of trace elements exceeded background levels by 10-111 times. The concentration of Zn in our study area was higher than those in other oil and gas fields located in polar and boreal regions. The Cd concentration in the vicinity of the Tazovsky settlement was higher than those in other cities of Western Siberia. The data obtained in the present study on concentrations of soluble and particulate forms of trace elements in snow will be valuable for environmental protection in Russia's Arctic territory.