Landscape and Geochemical Monitoring of Atmospheric Precipitation in the Forest-Steppe Zone of European Russia (Using the Example of Kursk Oblast)

The results of long-term geochemical monitoring of atmospheric precipitation on the territory of the Kursk Biosphere Station (KBS) of the IG RAS are being discussed. The landscapes of KBS have the status of natural landscapes. The chemical composition of snow cover has been studied since 2013, surface aerosols since 2015, and rainfall since 2017. 2020 was chosen as the main reference year for the study of liquid precipitation, during which anthropogenic activity was reduced due to COVID-19. Mineralization and pH were measured in snow and rain waters, and the geochemical composition of precipitation and aerosols was determined using ICP-MS and ICP-AES methods. The dynamics in the geochemical composition of the snow cover is considered on the basis of the identification of a series of chemical elements, the concentrations of which in the snow of the natural landscapes of the KBS show a positive trend (increase). Concentration coefficients for aerosols and rain precipitation have been calculated to reveal the intensity of the accumulation of chemical elements. The analysis of the dynamics of the geochemical composition of rainfall was carried out on the basis of calculations of the excess coefficients for each year of study and taking into account the movement of the air masses. During the study period, an increase in the contents of Na, Ca, Ti, Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu, Sb, Co, La, Mo, Sr, Li, Sn, W, Hg, S, Ag, Bi, Cr was found in snow cover, surface aerosols, and precipitation. The range of chemical elements, which detected in atmospheric precipitation, indicates the influence of regional and transboundary air masses on the geochemical composition of this precipitation. The maximum concentrations of Ni, Pb, Li, Sn and W were observed with the predominant western moving of air masses. High concentrations of Zn, Cu and Ag are associated with southeastern atmospheric invasions. The precipitation concentrations of Cd, Ni, Zn and Pb are associated with air masses coming from the north, which indicates the role of local emission sources from Kursk enterprises in the formation of the geochemical composition of the landscapes components on the KBS. The calculation results showed that a noticeable increase in the content of chemical elements in aerosols and rains is observed in May and in August—September and is due to an increase in atmospheric dust during agricultural work. Studies of the autumn-winter period revealed increased concentrations of S and Sr, probably related to the heating period (coal), as well as long-range transport of salts and dust particles. Increased concentrations of most chemical elements in precipitation and aerosols were recorded after prolonged anticyclones, which contributed to an increase in the intensity of their accumulation in the surface atmosphere.

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