Transformation of chemical composition of snow in the impact areas of the first stage of the expandable launch system Proton in Central Kazakhstan

• Published in: Russian meteorology and hydrology Vol. 41; no. 8; pp. 585 - 591
• Main Authors: Koroleva, T. V., Krechetov, P. P., Semenkov, I. N., Sharapova, A. V., Kondrat’ev, A. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Allerton Press 01.08.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air pollution; Atmospheric Sciences; Chemicals; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Meteorology; Nitrogen; Snow; Kazakhstan; nitrogen tetroxide; Snow; unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine; chemical effect; impact points of launch vehicle stages; air pollution; expandable launch system Proton; propellant components
• ISSN: 1068-3739; 1934-8096
• DOI: 10.3103/S1068373916080094

Snow cover contamination is assessed in the impact areas of the first stage of the expandable launch system Proton in Central Kazakhstan. It was revealed that the chemical effect ofpropellants on the snow cover is local. The increase in the content of the following high-toxic substances in the snow was registered: unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, nitrosodimethylamine, and nitrate and nitrite ions. The most part of the pollutants is localized in the upper 5-cm snow layer. Nitrogen tetroxide decreases the value of pH, and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine increases it. The inflow of calcareous soil particles to the atmosphere and their subsequent fallout result in the alkalization of snow and in the neutralization of acidification by nitrogen tetroxide accompanied by the formation ofthe salts of nitric acid and nitrous acid.