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

Abstract

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).