Snow cover pollution analysis in coal mining regions using color response curves

Snow cover is a potent accumulator of pollutants. Such pollutants build up in snow cover for the whole winter at concentrations 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than in atmospheric air. Based on the chemistry of snow, it is possible to determine areal distribution of quantitative characteristics of pollutants which settle from the atmosphere in winter. This enables detection of the pollution sources and their influence zones, and to approximately assess the number of toxicants traceable in decoded satellite images. We studied snow cover in the area of open pit coal mining at Neryungri using different time satellite images Landsat. Interpretation of the images was implemented in ENVI, and the change in the condition of snow cover was traced using color response curves. The studies show that the color response curves make it possible to estimate dynamics and intensity of snow cover pollution using different time satellite images. The satellite images enable real-time monitoring of ecological situation in the remote areas and compliment ground-based observations.

Struchkova G. P., Krupnova T. G., Tichonova S. A., Kapitonova T. A. Snow cover pollution analysis in coal mining regions using color response curves. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(12-1):195—203. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_121_0_195.

Struchkova G. P.¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher, pandoramy8@list.ru;
Krupnova T. G.², Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Associate Professor, krupnovatg@susu.ru;
Tichonova S. A.¹, Lead Engineer, sardankobeleva@gmail.com;
Kapitonova T. A.¹, Cand. Sci. (Phys.-mat.), Leading Researcher, kapitonova@iptpn.ysn.ru;
¹ FRC “The Yakut Scientific Centre of SB RAS”, Larionov Institute of the PhysicalTechnical Problems of the North, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 677980, Yakutsk, Russia;
² Chemistry Department, South Ural State University 454080, Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Struchkova G. P., e-mail: pandoramy8@list.ru.

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