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.

Radioactive and chemical contamination of aquatic systems remains a key environmental concern in areas affected by historical nuclear testing. The objective of this study was a comprehensive geochemical and ecotoxicological screening assessment of bottom sediments in the Shagan River, which partially flows through the Balapan test site within the Semipalatinsk test site. This 2 km stretch is potentially affected by groundwater discharge hydraulically connected to the Atomnoye Lake retaining zone. A total of 21 bottom sediment samples were collected over a 2 km stretch, and their elemental composition was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Bottom sediment quality was assessed using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and ecotoxicological criteria, including the threshold effect concentration (TEC), probable effect concentration (PEC), least impact level (LEL), and high impact level (SEL). The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in the element distribution and local geochemical anomalies. Manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo) corresponded to the Igeo index category of severe contamination, while zinc (Zn) demonstrated an extremely high contamination level (Igeo = 6), exceeding the PEC threshold by 16 times. Mn concentrations also exceeded the SEL by 15 times. These results provide a baseline geochemical profile for a previously understudied and ecologically sensitive section of the Shagan River, identifying zones of local geochemical enrichment in bottom sediments and laying the foundation for further hydrogeochemical, mineralogical, granulometric, and ecotoxicological studies.