Microelement Composition of the Snow Cover in the Berezniki Urban District (Perm Region)

Abstract

Urbanized areas experience heavy technological load, especially if the core of the city is associated with industrial activities. In 2018, the Perm region ranked fourth in the Volga Federal District in terms of air emissions. Chemical and mining activities in the Berezniki urban district of the Perm region make a huge contribution to increasing air pollution. Previously, it was established that the distribution of pollutants across the city was affected by the physical and geographical characteristics of the area and meteorological conditions of pollutant dispersion. The paper shows the need to monitor aerotechnogenic dispersion of elements in the snow cover within the Berezniki urban district. In March 2018, the microelement composition of the snow cover was studied with regard to 25 elements. The environmental and chemical distribution of the elements was assessed taking into account the functional use of the territory (industrial, recreational, transport, and residential areas). The degree of technogenic pollution level of melt snow water was determined by the accumulation and dispersion coefficients. On the basis of the concentration coefficient, there were identified anomalies with increased content relative to the background, those including the association Pb-Ti-Ge-Ga-Se, Ni and V. Recreational facilities were found to be subject to increased technogenic load relative to industrial areas. Spatial distribution of microelements in the snow cover of the study area was analyzed using the total pollution index Zc. The research established the need to expand the list of substances observed in the monitoring of atmospheric air pollution in the urban district and to supplement the observation programs with control of the snow cover pollution.

Trace Element Distribution in the Snow Cover of Different Functional Zones in Berezniki-Solikamsk Industrial Hub, Russia

“…- [Khayrulina and Ushakova, 2020]. On the basis of the microelement assessment in Berezniki, it was found that recreational areas (recreational zone) are exposed to an increased technogenic impact relative to the industrial ones, where the total pollution index Zc was 33.6 and 30.1, respectively [Ushakova et al, 2020].…”

“…Ushakova et al, 2020]. High anthropogenic impact is characteristic of the recreational zones of many industrial centers.…”