Characterization of solid airborne particles deposited in snow in the vicinity of urban fossil fuel thermal power plant (Western Siberia)

Abstract

Recognition and detailed characterization of solid particles emitted from thermal power plants into the environment is highly important due to their potential detrimental effects on human health. Snow cover is used for the identification of anthropogenic emissions in the environment. However, little is known about types, physical and chemical properties of solid airborne particles (SAP) deposited in snow around thermal power plants. The purpose of this study is to quantify and characterize in detail the traceable SAP deposited in snow near fossil fuel thermal power plant in order to identify its emissions into the environment. Applying the scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, mineral and anthropogenic phase groups in SAP deposited in snow near the plant and in fly ash were observed. We identified quartz, albite and mullite as most abundant mineral phases and carbonaceous matter, slag and spherical particles as dominate anthropogenic phases. This is the first study reporting that zircon and anthropogenic sulphide-bearing, metal oxide-bearing, intermetallic compound-bearing and rare-earth element-bearing particles were detected in snow deposits near thermal power plant. The identified mineral and anthropogenic phases can be used as tracers for fossil fuel combustion emissions, especially with regard to their possible effect on human health.

Using an Urban Snow Cover Composition-Based Cluster Analysis to Zone Krasnoyarsk Town (Russia) by Pollution Level

“…Using snow cover chemical composition as a pollution indicator reliable as to basing estimation of Krasnoyarsk ecological situation upon is focused on in a monograph by Khlebopros et al [4], as well as in Strimzha et al [5], Polikanova and Talovskaya [6], Badmayeva and Zimmerman [7], Demidenko and Vladimirova [8], and Onuchin et al [9,10]. Similar studies were done in Baikal Region [11,12], for Severonikel Industrial Complex, the Kola Peninsula, NW Russia [13], Tomsk Town [14,15], Tumen Town [16] and for many other industrial towns with stable snow cover. Studying snow cover to estimate pollution, particularly traffic impacts, in urban areas attracts nowadays much interest in Scandinavia [17,18], East European countries [19][20][21][22][23][24][25], the USA [26], and China [27].…”

Dissolved and Suspended Forms of Metals and Metalloids in Snow Cover of Megacity: Partitioning and Deposition Rates in Western Moscow

“…Due to its long occurrence and ability to accumulate pollutants over the entire cold period of the year, snow cover is a natural, informative, and convenient component indicating air pollution with particulate matter and MMs in northern cities [4][5][6][7]. Snow pollution with MMs correlates well with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) and the level of atmospheric pollution with PM 10 and PM 2.5 [8].…”

Daily Variations In Wet Deposition And Washout Rates Of Potentially Toxic Elements In Moscow During Spring Season

“…The study of the chemical composition of atmospheric precipitation makes it possible to assess the washout rates of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), particulate matter, organic pollutants and ions (such as sulfates, nitrates, ammonium, etc.) from the atmosphere and to evaluate wet deposition fluxes on the Earth's surface (Al-Momani 2008;Cizmecioglu and Muezzinoglu 2008;Bayramoğlu Karşı et al 2018;Talovskaya et al 2018Talovskaya et al , 2019Ma et al 2019;Tian et al 2020;Cherednichenko et al 2020;Park et al 2020;Loya-González et al 2020;McHale et al 2021). PTEs usually include a large number of elements, e.g.…”