Assessment of aerotechnogenic pollution: case study in the vicinity of coal-fired and oil-fired local boiler houses in Tomsk region

Relevance of the work is caused by the necessity of environmental assessment in the vicinity of local boiler houses which use different types of fuel. The main aim of the study is quantitative and qualitative assessment of pollution level in the vicinity of coal-fired and oil-fired local boiler houses based on solid phase composition study. The methods used in the study: mass-spectrometry with inductive coupled plasma, atomic absorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy, empirical data processing. Results. The higher dust load was determined in the vicinity of local coal-fired boiler house. It is exceeded in 3 times the background dust load and 2 times of average dust load in Tomsk region. Dust load did not exceed the background value and average dust load in the region in the vicinity of local oil-fired boiler house. The results show that the higher concentrations (3-25 times exceeds the background) and deposition (3-125 times exceeds the background) of Cd, Sb, Pb, Mo, Sr, Ba, Ni, Mo, Zn and Co were identified in the vicinity of coal-fired boiler house. These elements make contribution in the middle level of pollution in the vicinity of coal-fired boiler house. The samples from the vicinity of oil-fired boiler house were characterized by high concentration (3-8 times exceeds the background) and deposition (3-8 times exceeds the background) of V, Ni and Sb. The level of pollution was estimated as low in the vicinity of oil-fired boiler house. The value of total factor of element emissions was higher in the vicinity of coal-fired boiler house. The results of SEM-EDS shown metal-bearing phases referred to PM2.5 and PM10 in the samples of solid phase of snow. These phases could be inhaled by humans and can effect human health. Conclusions. The comparative analysis shown that unsafe level of pollution was observed in the vicinity of coal-fired boiler house due to its emissions and windblown dust from the open coal depository. The identified element-indicators and metal-bearing phases in the solid phase of snow reflect geochemical specificity of fuel, fly ash as well as the specificity of firing, and connect with physical and chemical processes in the air and snow cover. The identified element-indicators and metal-bearing phases could be used as markers for source identification.