The processing of metallurgical slags is an urgent task, as they contain residual amounts of precious and non-ferrous metals such as gold, silver, copper and zinc. The efficiency of extraction of these metals directly depends on the granulometric composition of the processed material, which determines the need for its detailed analysis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the granulometric composition of slags on the efficiency of extraction of non-ferrous metals using the flotation method. For this purpose, studies were carried out, including granulometric analysis, chemical composition analysis and flotation tests using Na₂S, KAX and 3418A reagents. The analysis showed that the main part of the slag consisted of particles less than 3.36 mm, while the content of copper was 0.60%, zinc was 2.37%, gold was 0.1 g/t and silver was 7.2 g/t. Flotation experiments confirmed that the use of Na₂S and 3418A increased the recoverability of copper and zinc, and reducing the particle size to d80 <10 microns increased the efficiency of copper extraction by 7%. Thus, the optimization of flotation processes and the control of granulometric composition make it possible to increase the efficiency of metallurgical waste processing, reduce losses of valuable metals and reduce the environmental burden.

This study investigates ceramic bricks produced by partially replacing clay with Pb–Zn metallurgical residues (lead furnace dust and cyclone dust), fly ash, and carbonaceous additives. The novelty lies in the integrated multi-waste formulation and the combined FTIR–TGA–XRD analytical approach used to elucidate phase-formation mechanisms. The results show that firing promotes the development of quartz, mullite, iron oxides, and an extensive Fe–Pb–Zn–Si–O amorphous network, while higher residue contents enhance amorphization and suppress mullite crystallization. These microstructural changes correlate with reduced compressive strength (1.6–3.1 MPa) and high water absorption (32–36%), although all samples completed 15 freeze–thaw cycles. Heavy-metal leaching assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) revealed very low Pb (0.08–0.20 mg/L) and Zn (0.25–0.45 mg/L) release, well below international safety limits, demonstrating effective immobilization of hazardous ions within the glassy matrix. Overall, the study provides new insight into multi-waste interactions during sintering and confirms that controlled residue incorporation enables environmentally safe, non-load-bearing ceramic materials with reduced clay consumption.

Seasonal snow cover can serve as an informative single-season indicator of atmospheric deposition in industrial urban areas because it accumulates airborne contaminants during the winter period. A total of 55 snow samples were collected across the urban area, and the liquid phase was analyzed for major and trace elements using instrumental elemental analysis with defined detection limits and measurement uncertainty. Descriptive statistics, background comparisons, and integrated pollution indicators were used to characterize the spatial variability and intensity of contamination. The results showed that the median concentrations of most analyzed elements did not exceed the reference limits; however, aluminum and iron exhibited elevated levels, with aluminum reaching 1.1–27 times and iron 1.0–3 times the reference values. Median concentrations included 270 μg L⁻¹ for Al, 118 μg L⁻¹ for Fe, 30 μg L⁻¹ for Zn, 11.5 μg L⁻¹ for Ni, and 7.3 μg L⁻¹ for Pb. The obtained data indicate a heterogeneous pollution pattern across Pavlodar and suggest the combined influence of mineral dust, urban-industrial emissions, road-dust resuspension, and natural inputs on snow chemistry. Because the study is based on one winter sampling campaign, the results should be interpreted as a single-season assessment of snow-cover contamination rather than as evidence of long-term temporal stability.

The results of studying the features of the spatial distribution of macro- and microelements in the “water – bottom sediments” system in the channel of the Uzynbulak creek (“Degelen” site of the Semipalatinsk test site, Kazakhstan) are presented. The studies were carried out in the summer of 2015. As a result of the study of the chemical composition in surface waters and bottom sediments of the Uzynbulak creek, the content of Li, Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, V, Ni, Mo, Fe, Sr, Al, Zn, Ba, La, Ce, U was revealed. The nature of the origin and the main factors determining the increased content of a number of the studied elements have been determined. The main mechanisms of the formation of the elemental composition in surface waters, the degree of spreading of elements exceeding the MPC (maximum permissible concentration) beyond the “Degelen” site are considered.

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.

В статье представлены данные о распределении основных ионов и микроэлементов в водах загрязненных участков реки Шаган, расположенных в пределах Семипалатинского испытательного полигона (СИП), где ранее отмечены повышенные концентрации трития (3H). Отмечены превышения предельно допустимых концентраций (ПДК для поверхностных вод 2 и 3 классов водопользования, ГН № ҚР ДСМ-138 от 24 ноября 2022 года) по общей минерализации, показатели жесткости, сумме катионов Na++K+, Mg2+, и анионов HCO3- Cl-, SO₄²⁻ на исследуемых участках водотока реки. Рассмотрена проблема формирования микроэлементного состава на участке прямой разгрузки загрязненных трещинных и подрусловых вод в поверхностные воды р. Шаган (участок «2-ой» км) и на участке «старого» русла с водопроявлениями, выходящими из зоны навалов грунта озера «Атомное». С помощью метода атомно-абсорбционной спектрометрии исследовано общее содержание химических элементов в пробах воды. Более 99% суммы масс всех химических элементов с концентрациями выше 0,1 мкг/дм3 определяются наличием 13-ти элементов, распределенных как в основном, так и «старом» русле. Относительно средних концентраций в речных водах мира их содержание в основном русле р. Шаган распределено в следующем порядке: U>Pb>Zn>La>Sr>Mn, тогда как в «старом» русле U> Mn>Fe>Al> La>Zn>Sr>Cu>Ba. В контексте геохимической специфики района исследования такое распределение может указывать как на различия в источниках поступления химических элементов, так и на особенности миграции и осаждения в русловых зонах.