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Results of long-term monitoring of snow pollution at oil fields in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra
https://doi.org/10.7868/S2412376525040061
Abstract
A study of the chemical composition of snow at the oil fields of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra (KhMFO–Yugra) was carried out from 2015 to 2023. The snow pH and total contents of heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn), ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorides, and sulfates were analyzed using data of the environmental monitoring. The content of ammonium nitrogen in the snow corresponded to the background concentration, while the same of nitrate nitrogen exceeded the background magnitudes. A certain acidification of precipitation was revealed. In some sites, pollution of the snowmelt waters with petroleum hydrocarbons was found. Zn and Cr are the most commonly found heavy metals. To identify sources of pollution, a correlation analysis was conducted, establishing a relationship between snow composition and specific indices of technogenesis. The pH value of snowmelt water is in negative correlation with a number of flares used for burning associated petroleum gas. A weak positive correlation was identified between the content of petroleum hydrocarbons and pipeline accident rates. The content of Zn depends on the amount of drilling waste and is determined by the intensity of drilling operations. It was concluded that the composition of snow has a pronounced effect upon the ecological state of surface waters since melting of snow increases the content of nitrate nitrogen as well as the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons. To determine the trends of atmospheric pollution, the monitoring results of 2015–2023 were compared with the data of 2005–2010. A decline in the concentrations of chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, petroleum products, and iron in the snow was found, which can be attributed to reduction of the volume of associated petroleum gas burned in flares and a lowering of the pipeline accidents.
About the Authors
D. V. MoskovchenkoRussian Federation
Tyumen
A. G. Babushkin
Russian Federation
Tyumen
M. N. Toptygina
Russian Federation
Tyumen
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Supplementary files
For citation: Moskovchenko D.V., Babushkin A.G., Toptygina M.N. Results of long-term monitoring of snow pollution at oil fields in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra. Ice and Snow. 2025;65(4):597-613. https://doi.org/10.7868/S2412376525040061
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