Dynamics of particulate load and chemical composition of snow cover in the area of thermal power and coke chemistry enterprises (case for the city of Kemerovo)

Relevance. The necessity to investigate aerotechnogenic pollution around coal-fired thermal power and coke-chemical processing plant, which are one of the main sources of particulate matter emissions into the environment. Aim. To assess the eco-geochemical conditions of the area around the thermal power station and coke-chemical processing plant based on long-term observations (2016–2023) of particulate load levels and the chemical composition of the particulate phase of snow cover (the case of Kemerovo). Objects. The particulate phase of the snow cover formed by atmospheric precipitation in the area of pollutant transfer at a distance of up to 4.5 km from the studied plants. Methods. Snow geochemical survey; instrumental neutron activation analysis; atomic absorption spectrometry; statistical analysis. Results. The particulate load level ranges from allowable (≤250 mg/(m2*day)) to moderately hazardous (250–450 mg/(m2*day)) during the study period. A correlation exists between particulate load and meteorological factors, with increased loads linked to higher humidity, precipitation, and lower wind speeds in winter. The particulate load is statistically lower within 1 km (≈245 mg/(m2*day)), while levels rise to 381 mg/(m2*day) between 1.5 and 4.5 km, effected by natural and anthropogenic factors. The snow cover particulate phase shows high Ba, La, Sm, Tb, Yb, U concentration (over 10 times background levels), while Ca, Sc, Sr, Cs, Ce, Nd, Hf, Ta, Hg concentration are 2–10 times above background. This indicates hazardous pollution levels in 2016 and 2022 and moderately hazardous level in 2023. The concentrations of these elements remained unchanged throughout the study period, which allows them to be used as markers for the particulate phases of the snow cover in this area. Interestingly, it was found that the formation of geochemical specifics in particulate snow cover is related to coal composition, fly ash composition, fuel consumption volume, and meteorological factors.