Nitrogen-­containing substances in the snow of the fall areas of the Proton launch vehicle stages in 2009–2019

Abstract

The article presents analysis of the snow pollution caused by flights of the Proton launch vehicles launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in 2009–2019. Data on 1477 snow samples collected in areas in Central Kazakhstan, south­east of Western Siberia, and north­east of the Altai are summarized to assess the pollution. In the uninhabited areas in Central Kazakhstan, where rocket fuel is spilled, pollution of snow was detected at 18 fall sites at a distance of up to 10 m from the fragments of the stages. The background value of pH is estimated as 6.6±0.9. The following nitrogen-­containing compounds (mg/l) were found in snow taken in the unpolluted territories of Central Kazakhstan: NO₃­ (2.3±3.4), NH₄+ (0.75±0.98) and to a lesser extent NO₂– (0.015±0.019); asymmetric dimethylhydrazine and nitrosodimethylamine were not detected. The chemical composition of snow in the fall areas of the second stage of the Proton launch vehicle is in a good agreement with the background level of nitrogen­-containing substances of natural origin. There were no traces of the rocket fuel. Thus, in the snow on the Ketsko­Tym plain (south­east of Western Siberia) and north­east of Altai, the background content of nitrogen-­containing substances is equal, respectively (mg/l): NO₃– (0.36±0.28 and 0.47±0.59); NH₄+ (< 0.05 and 0.20±0.27); NO₂– (0.048±0.016 and 0.027±0.073), which is determined by regional features and distance from sources of nitrogen­-containing substances. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the areas of the rocket falls on the above territories are not an environmental hazard to the environment by the concentration of nitrogen-­containing substances in the snow.