Snow Cover as an Indicator of Dust Pollution in the Area of Exploitation of Rock Materials in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains

Abstract

Snow cover in environmental monitoring is a valuable resource for information on sources of air pollutants and the level of air pollution. Research in areas of intense industrial pressure without systematic air quality control is of particular importance in this aspect. This is the case in the vicinity of Łagów (an urban–rural municipality) in the eastern part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (southern Poland), where rock mining fields have been created over a large area. Limestone, marly limestone and dolomite are mined in this area. The carbonate dust accumulated during the two-week deposition significantly altered the physicochemical and chemical properties of the snow cover. An inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer-time-of-flight (ICP-MS-TOF), Dionex 3000 ion chromatograph and Hach HQ2200 water quality meter were used for chemical analyses. The pH, electric conductivity (EC), major ions and selected heavy metals (HM) were determined in water samples obtained after snow melt in two measurement campaigns. The comparative analysis performed showed an increase in pH, EC, Cl, Ca, NO3, SO4 and heavy metals in samples from the two-week old cover (second series) compared to fresh snow (first series). The conducted research indicates a potential hazard for the inhabitants of Łagów due to respirable dusts released into the atmosphere during extraction, processing and transport of rock materials.

The screening method for use of wild pheasant feathers in the monitoring of environmental pollution with heavy metals

“…Similarly, for the Ostrów Świętokrzyski Forest District, its location is of great importance. In the Świętokrzyskie Voivodship, there are aggregate mines and cement plants that are a source of dust, the role of which in polluting the natural environment of the smelter has already been quite well known 70 , 71 , which confirms our thesis that pheasant feathers are a very good bioindicator of environmental pollution.…”

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis Of Snow Cover Solid Phase For Investigation Of Emissions By Aluminum Industry And Combined Heat And Power Complex

“…Snow cover is an important source of data for environmental pollution studies due to its accumulation of atmospheric dust particles. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] During a snowfall, snow captures gaseous substances and solid particles suspended in the atmospheric air. When the snowfall stops, snow cover collects dry precipitation of particles and dust from the atmosphere.…”

“…For analytical chemist, an analysis of snow cover solid phase is not a simple task. Since the sample mass is limited and often does not exceed 50 mg, it is necessary to apply methods which do not require a large sample mass of the analyzed material, for example, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry, 10,17,19,22 opticemission spectrometry, 18,23 atomic emission 15,16,19 or atomic absorption analysis. 9,24 The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method is widely used for the determination of elemental composition of various objects 25,26 for different studies, including environmental investigation.…”

Investigation of snow cover solid phase using total‐reflection x‐ray fluorescence method for an assessment of the environmental pollution

“…In regions, where the duration of a stable snow cover period is more than 2 months, its composition is the most informative indicator for the study of contamination by atmospheric precipitation, and, consequently, contamination of surface water and soil by potentially toxic elements. [1][2][3][4][5] As a result of the partial dissolution of dust particles, the snow cover solid phase has a specific composition. 6 According to the balance between suspended and dissolved forms of metals in the snow cover, potentially toxic elements prevail in the insoluble fraction.…”