<p>The source of SO<sub>2</sub> is the smelter associated with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezkazgan" rel="noreferrer">Jezkazgan</a> (Zhezkazgan, Жезказган) <a href="https://www.australianmining.com.au/features/the-possibilities-of-applying-the-technology-of-ore-caving-in-caved-in-deposits/" rel="noreferrer">copper mine</a>, mined by <a href="http://russiamining.com/mining-company-directory/KAZminerals" rel="noreferrer">Kaz Minerals</a>. The <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bozshakol+Copper+Mine/@51.8448413,74.2762165,3921m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x4257527d1c508407:0xcead45e101ef71b1!2sKaz+Minerals+Bozshakol+Copper+mine!8m2!3d51.8103229!4d74.2907172!3m4!1s0x42574db94835460d:0xee5b22335ffe85b1!8m2!3d51.8469867!4d74.291372" rel="noreferrer">complex</a> also <a href="http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/sulphuric-acid-on-the-web/Acid%20Plants/JSC%20Kazakhmys%20-%20Zhezkazgan.htm" rel="noreferrer">produces sulfuric acid</a>.</p>

<p>If you check for the other atmospheric pollutants with ventusky.com, you will see associated particulate matter - PM 2.5 and PM 10.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T22:02:56.370Z
If one had a satellite 70 years ago,  a similar SO2 plume could have been seen at Sudbury Ontario , at the nickel smelters.
blacksmith37
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-03T19:59:56.330Z
2020-03-04T00:46:19.547Z
2020-03-04T00:46:19.547Z
Fred
<p>I was using this website for weather conditions around the world called Ventusky (<a href="https://www.ventusky.com/" rel="noreferrer">https://www.ventusky.com/</a>) and one of its features allows you to view SO<sub>2</sub> concentration. I stumbled upon this high concentration of SO<sub>2</sub> near Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan (<a href="https://www.ventusky.com/?p=47.47;65.97;6&amp;l=so2" rel="noreferrer">https://www.ventusky.com/?p=47.47;65.97;6&amp;l=so2</a>). I googled it but couldn't find anything. Satellite images show desert and mountains. Any ideas what could this be?</p>

<p>Images:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/xP20z.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xP20z.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jyNUw.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jyNUw.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<air-pollution>
What's causing this high SO2 concentrations in Kazakhstan?
gabyarg25
# What's causing this high SO2 concentrations in Kazakhstan?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-03-03)

I was using this website for weather conditions around the world called Ventusky (<https://www.ventusky.com/>) and one of its features allows you to view SO2 concentration. I stumbled upon this high concentration of SO2 near Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan (<https://www.ventusky.com/?p=47.47;65.97;6&l=so2>). I googled it but couldn't find anything. Satellite images show desert and mountains. Any ideas what could this be?

Images:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/xP20z.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/xP20z.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jyNUw.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/jyNUw.png)

**Tags:** air-pollution


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-03-03. Score: 29 | Accepted answer

The source of SO2 is the smelter associated with the [Jezkazgan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezkazgan) (Zhezkazgan, Жезказган) [copper mine](https://www.australianmining.com.au/features/the-possibilities-of-applying-the-technology-of-ore-caving-in-caved-in-deposits/), mined by [Kaz Minerals](http://russiamining.com/mining-company-directory/KAZminerals). The [complex](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bozshakol+Copper+Mine/@51.8448413,74.2762165,3921m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x4257527d1c508407:0xcead45e101ef71b1!2sKaz+Minerals+Bozshakol+Copper+mine!8m2!3d51.8103229!4d74.2907172!3m4!1s0x42574db94835460d:0xee5b22335ffe85b1!8m2!3d51.8469867!4d74.291372) also [produces sulfuric acid](http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/sulphuric-acid-on-the-web/Acid%20Plants/JSC%20Kazakhmys%20-%20Zhezkazgan.htm).

If you check for the other atmospheric pollutants with ventusky.com, you will see associated particulate matter - PM 2.5 and PM 10.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: If one had a satellite 70 years ago,  a similar SO2 plume could have been seen at Sudbury Ontario , at the nickel smelters.  

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