Abstract
Snowpacks serve as an informative deposition medium for assessing the spatial distribution of atmospheric fallout and technogenic load in areas with persistent snow cover. This study examined the chemical element content in the solid fraction of the snow cover (SFSC) in Pavlodar Region. Fifty-five samples were collected, covering industrial, buffer, non-industrial, and background zones. The elemental composition of the SFSC was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results revealed marked spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of chemical elements. The Pb levels detected exceeded background values by a factor of 2 to 100, indicating a significant aerotechnogenic impact on the study area. Elevated concentrations (of Pb, Sr, and V) and peak accumulation levels were recorded in the zones directly affected by industrial facilities and in the corresponding buffer zones subject to this influence. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two main factors of elemental composition variability. The first principal component (PC1) was characterized by high positive loadings primarily associated with rare-earth elements (REEs). The observed spatial pattern reflects a combination of local industrial impact and the regional transport of chemical elements. This study represents a pilot phase of long-term monitoring aimed at assessing the spatial distribution of chemical elements in snow cover and identifying areas of elevated technogenic impact.