Chemical Composition Of Snow Cover Research Articles

Assessment of Snow Cover Pollution in the Location of Exposure to Thermal Power Facilities

Snow geochemical survey is successfully used by many researchers to assess the air pollution of territories. The study of the chemical composition of snow cover makes it possible to reveal the spatial distribution of pollution and provide a quantitative assessment of the actual pollution of urbanized territory during the period with a stable snow cover. Enterprises of the fuel and energy complex make the main contribution to air pollution in Ulan-Ude. The research considered the results of estimation of qualitative and quantitative composition of snow cover in the zone of potential negative impact of large quarter boiler houses. The analysis of NH4+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Li+ cations and Cl–, NO2–, SO42–, NO3–, F–, PO43– anions distribution in snow water samples was carried out. Dust load on the examined territories has been calculated, which makes it possible to assess the volume of suspended particles deposited on the snow surface from atmospheric air during the whole period of snow accumulation.

Interannual Dynamics of the Chemical Composition of Snow Cover in the Baikal Region

Interannual Dynamics of the Chemical Composition of Snow Cover in the Baikal Region

Analysis of the heterogeneity of the chemical composition of snow cover using clustering methods (k-means) and GIS-technolog

Analysis of the heterogeneity of the chemical composition of snow cover using clustering methods (k-means) and GIS-technolog

Химический состав снежного покрова и талых вод ледника Гармо, формирующий гидрохимию реки Обихингоу в бассейне реки Вахш

t. The aim of the work is to study the chemical composition of snow cover and meltwater from the Garmo glacier and their contribution to the formation of the hydrochemistry of the Obikhingou river. The results of monitoring the meteorological conditions of the Obikhingou river basin and hydrology for the period 1960-2020 are presented. According to the estimates, the rate of increase in the average annual temperature values for the period 1960-2020 in the Vakhsh river basin as a whole flows differently and is in the basins of its tributaries: Surkhob 6.3∙10-3 оC/yr, Kyzylsu 13.5∙10-3 oC/yr and Obikhingou 18.6∙10-3 oC/yr. The temperature increases on the Vakhsh River upstream by 2050 is expected 0.4-0.7 o C compared to the period 1960-2020. For the period 1960-2020 there was a slight increase amount of atmospheric precipitation in the Obikhingou river basin with an average annual value of 3.7 mm/yr. By determining the concentration of chemical elements on the Obikhingou river downstream, the values of indicators (SAR, %Na+, SSP and ESP) of the applicability of river water for irrigation were calculated that were significantly lower than their critical values.

Methodological aspects of snow cover sampling for chemical analysis

Abstract At present there is a steady increase in scientific publications on studying the chemical composition of snow cover. At the same time, there are practically no modern publications on the methods of snow cover sampling for chemical analysis. The rapid development of analytical ways to determine the composition of samples in general justifies the need to improve the methodology of snow cover sampling. Today, researchers use a variety of adapted sampling methods depending on the goal, the geographic location of the study area, and the analyzed component. Each publication contains a rationale for the sampling method used. This article describes the methodology of sampling snow cover to determine its density. Methods of taking snow cover samples to determine its chemical composition most often depend on the chosen practices. The primary systematization of snow cover sampling methods has been carried out. Synthesis of literature reveals some problems, including the need for improved standardized techniques of snow sampling for chemical analysis and for the development of applied instrumentation to address snow geochemistry.

Chemical composition of snow cover of the Barents and Kara Seas islands

Chemical composition of snow cover of the Barents and Kara Seas islands

The chemical composition of snow cover in the zone of activity of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex of Vorkuta, as an indicator of the encroachment of the territory

A quantitative chemical analysis of the snow cover on the territory of the Vorkuta agglomeration has been carried out. Calculations of the pollutants intake on the territory near industrial enterprises of Vorkuta have been made. Schematic maps of the distribution of substances in the snow in this area have been constructed. An excess of the maximum permissible concentration for fishery waters (LC) of manganese, nickel, aluminum, vanadium, molybdenum and mercury has been established. The high values of the mercury concentration in snow are presumably caused by the combustion of coal in the Power Plants and its possible sorption on coal and ash particles. It is shown that the zones of the greatest aerogenic impact can be determined by the content of mercury and vanadium in snow. The proportion of elements in the composition of suspended particles is more than 60% of the total content in melt water. The most severe pollution of the snow cover was recorded near Power Plant 2. According to the calculations of the total pollution index, the highest values of the multiplicity of the substances intake above the background level were noted on the territory of the sanitary protection zone (SPZ) of Power Plant 2.

Chemical composition of snow cover in the south of Western Siberia

Chemical composition of snow cover in the south of Western Siberia

Distribution and chemical composition of snow cover of the Sygyktinsky glacier (Kodar Ridge, south eastern Siberia)

Snow survey was carried out in the central part of the Sygyktinsky Glacier (Kodar Ridge, south eastern Siberia), and a map of the distribution of snow cover was constructed (average snow thickness was 97 cm). Stratigraphy and the chemical composition of the snow cover were studied in a snow pit. It was established that the chemical composition of the snow belongs to the chloride class, ammonium and sodium groups. At the same time, the ionic composition of snow reflects seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation in the region (local continental sources of ions prevail in winter, while the proportion of marine ions increases in the spring).

Estimation of the influx of pollutants with snow cover to the underlying surface in the cities of Southern Baikal region and the water area of Lake Baikal

We present the results of long-term ( 2010-2017) studies of chemical composition of snow cover from the area of the Baikal Region. There is significant pollution of snow cover in the industrial cities of Pribaykalye (Irkutsk and Shelekhov). Some areas are the most subjected to the atmospheric pollution. The emissions from Shelekhov enterprises influence the chemical composition of snow cover in Irkutsk. Transport, fuel and energy complex mainly influence the formation of the chemical composition in snow cover from Irkutsk. In Shelekhov, the source of contaminants is the aluminium smelter (RUSAL-IrkAZ) and power engineering. Based on the data on snow surveys, we estimated the influx of pollutants from the atmosphere to the underlying surface of industrial cities and the water area of South Baikal.

Risk assessment of ice-melter reagents for urban plants

The paper assessed the phytotoxicity of the most frequently used ice-melter reagents in Moscow (sand and salt mixture, anti-freeze reagent based on a composition of calcium and sodium chloride, technical salt), snow with varying degrees of contamination of the remnants of ice-melter reagents, as well as soil after the snow cover melting. The toxicity assessment was carried out in the samples taken on the lawns along the roads in nine administrative districts of the city in places with the same anthropogenic load. The test object is oat seeds (Avena sativa), as a sensitive biotest showing the most stable and reproducible data compared to seeds from other crops. Salt solutions of reagents with dilution rates of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, melted snow and soil extracts were used for biotesting. The phytotoxic effect was determined by comparing the average root length of control and prototype seeds. It was found that all studied ice-melter reagents have a pronounced toxic effect on oat plants even at tenfold dilution. The phytotoxic effect of snow and soil polluted with ice-melter substances, which in turn inherits the chemical composition of snow cover after its melting, was shown.

Temporal Variations in Chemical Composition of Snow Cover in Moscow

This article summarizes the data of the chemical composition and the acidity of the seasonal snow precipitation for the cold periods 1999-2006 (n=180), 2010-2013 (n=82) and 2018-2019 (n=18) in different parts of Moscow. Major ions content was measured, such as SO42-, НСO3-, Cl-, NO3-, Са2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and NH4+, also pH and sum of ions (mg/L) were measured. During the 2018-2019 season, snowpack samples were taken twice at 4 sites in Moscow: two in the North-East Administrative Okrug (NEAO) near the road and in the park at the distance of 3 km from each other, and two in the South- Western Administrative Okrug (SWAO) and in the Western Administrative Okrug (WAO) near the road and in the park at the distance of 6 km from each other. Samples were taken with a break of 5 days to determine the dynamics of the chemical composition within the beginning of the snow-melting. In each pair of sampling sites there was one that is located in the park and one located near the road. This experiment showed a slight variability of the chemical composition of snow during 5 days under the influence of the new snowfall. In general, there is a trend of changing the composition of snow from calcium carbonate to calcium chloride, which is mainly connected to the use of anti-icing reagents; for the same reason, the areas that are closer to the roads are the most polluted.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS FOR ANTHROPOGENOUS POLLUTION OF SNOW COVER ON THE TERRITORY OF A MAJOR INDUSTRIAL CENTER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF POLLUTION’S VARIOUS SOURCES

The paper presents the comparative studies’ results of the snow cover quality in the intracity districts of Samara and its surrounding areas at a distance of up to 1000 m from the oil refinery during 2017–2018. We have identified a high extent of pollution on a set of indicators caused by anthropo-technogenic influence (the content of hydrocarbons, suspended solids, difficult-to-oxidize organic matter (by chemical oxygen demand), some metals, etc.). Many important sanitary and hygienic indicators (a significant part of hydrocarbons, benzo[a]pyrene) were not found in filtered snow water, but ones were determined in suspended solids. Comparative analysis for the chemical composition of snow cover on the territory close to the oil refinery and on the streets in Samara revealed no significant differences. In this regard, it is possible to assume a significant contribution of motor vehicles to anthropo-technogenic environmental pollution. It is important to take into account that when snow is melting it can be a source of secondary pollution of soil, waste- and groundwater, therefore it is necessary to periodically monitor the snow cover quality as an integral part of monitoring environment state and take measures to prevent adverse effects of human activities (redistribution of traffic flow of transit heavy vehicle, notification of industrial enterprises in order to reduce noxious emissions for the period of forecasting adverse weather conditions).

Simulation of Sulfur Fallout from a Local Source Using Data on the Chemical Composition of Snow Cover

The objective is to determine the portion of sulfur fallout from a large source of sulfur dioxide emission (TPS-1 thermal power station) occurred in the local area (30 × 30 km) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in winter. The sulfate fallout in the analyzed area is calcutated with the ISC3 stationary model. To validate the model based on the coefficient of sulfate washout by snow precipitation, the study used the results of sulfate determination in the snow cover at the end of winter obtained at the network of stations that monitored snow cover chemical composition in 2000–2013. According to the simulation results, 8–17% (the mean value is 12%) of sulfur emitted by TPS-1 deposited in the analyzed area in winters in 2000–2013.

Инвентаризация антропогенных источников загрязнения Воронежского водохранилища

In the water body monitoring and quality management system the identification of negative impact sources is of high importance. The most striking example of anthropogenic changes of nature is pollution, that is introduction into the environment of substances and energy, alien for it, or peculiar to it, but in the concentration exceeding background indicators. Inventory of anthropogenic polluters of water ecosystems was carried out on the example of the Voronezh reservoir which is influenced potent impact of the city agglomeration surrounding it. The article presents the results of the carried out inventory. As the main sources of anthropogenic pollution of the water area of a reservoir leading to transformation of quality of waters were allocated: activity of the production enterprises, farming, transport and activity of the population of the city and suburbs. The pollutants allocated in a surrounding medium from these sources get to a reservoir with household drains; production sewage; atmospheric precipitation; a thawed and rain drain from the territory (including from the production platforms, farmlands, personal subsidiary farms); livestock production drains; underground waters; washing waters of water lifting stations; the water mass of the Voronezh River and the small city water currents coming negative impact of all listed above sources. The researches of chemical composition of snow cover of various functional zones of the city of Voronezh which are earlier conducted by the author showed that thawed snow contain the significant amount of the pollutants leading to adverse changes in a surrounding medium. Paths of migration of pollutants demonstrate ekologo-geochemical coherence of the water area of a reservoir and the adjacent territory. Following the results of a research the chip of sources of anthropogenic pollution, as well as the routes of pollutant movement in various environments and input to a reservoir has been developed. The practical significance of the developed scheme input to the possibility of its use for adoption of efficient administrative decisions by authorities in the field of regional water management policy.

Precipitation acidity and fallout of nitrogen and sulfur on the territory of the Russian Federation from the data of monitoring the chemical composition of snow cover

Presented are the results of observations included in the program on monitoring the chemical composition of snow cover on the territory of Russia. The observational network consists of about 570 observation stations (OSs), at each station snow samples are taken at the end of winter. The average (for the whole territory of the country) density of the network is about 30000 km2 per one station, and the spread of this parameter in the regions is from 5000 to 100000 km2/OS. The snow samples were analyzed, computations were carried out, and the schematic maps were plotted of the average (for the area) values of pH and rate of fallout of nitrogen and sulfur in the regions in winter 2012/13. The analysis of the trends of these parameters in industrial and background regions is carried out using the observational data for 2000–2013. The type of the distribution of pH in the snow cover in Russia different regions indicates that in winter on the territory of the country large-scale processes of atmospheric precipitation acidification are absent. The analysis of the temporal variations of these parameters in the regions also indicates their relative stability in 2000–2013.

Air pollution assessment in the area of aluminum production by snow geochemical survey

Investigated is the chemical composition of snow cover in Shelekhovskii region of the Irkutsk oblast close to the Irkutsk Aluminum Smelter. Identified are primary pollutants induced as a result of aluminum production as well as their dispersion halos. Computed are total pollution indices and pollution load. The zones of environmental and geochemical risk are singled out by geomapping. Carried out is the comparative analysis of the levels of content of the separated association of elements in the zone of the maximum risk and in the background snow cover. Proposed are the integrated indices of geoecological conditions being convenient for providing routine observations using the geoinformation systems.

Snow and rain chemistry around the “Severonikel” industrial complex, NW Russia: Current status and retrospective analysis

The current (2005–2011) status of the chemical composition of snow cover and rain collected at a height of 1.5 m above ground was studied within 11 km around the Severonikel industrial complex, one of the largest SO2 and metal contamination sources in N Europe. In spite of a significant decrease in emissions during the past 20 years, Ni and Cu concentrations in snow remain extremely high near the source (2500 and 1500 times background values, respectively). Although showing a five- to six-fold decrease in Ni and Cu concentrations since 1994, rain water currently still has concentrations 150 and 80 times background, respectively. Differences in the chemical composition of snow pack and rain collected at a height of 1.5 m above ground in this case are not caused by seasonal effects, but rather by the height of precipitation sampling relative to the ground.

Chemical composition of snow cover in the taiga zone of the Komi Republic

Quantitative chemical analysis of snow cover were carried out in background territories of the southern, middle, and northern taiga of Komi Republic. The snow cover in the taiga zone of the northeastern European Russia (Komi Republic) shows low mineralization and acid pH. The acidity of melt water is caused by the predominance of strong mineral acids and deficiency of neutralizing compounds. A statistically reliable latitudinal differentiation was revealed in the distribution of macro- and microelements in the snow from the south to the north.

Chemical composition of snow cover in middle-taiga forest ecosystems in the Komi Republic

Chemical composition of snow cover in middle-taiga forest ecosystems in the Komi Republic