Shooting activities as the potential influence on the environment at the Pokljuka biathlon center, SloveniaPezdir, Valentina (Avtor) Gosar, Mateja (Avtor) atmospheric particlesammunition residueSEM/EDSBiathlon activities can have negative effects on the environment due to the processes occurring during shooting, as the biathlon ammunition contains significant amounts of Pb, Cu and Sb. To determine these effects, we looked into the presence of lead-bearing particles in the vicinity of a shooting range in Rudno polje, Pokljuka, in Slovenia. Particles were collected from snow and later analysed using SEM/EDS, where we focused on the lead-bearing particles. These particles are composed of mainly lead or lead oxides/hydroxides with trace presence of Cu and Sb, both of which are commonly related to ammunition used in biathlon shooting and other shooting activities. To confirm that the particles originated from shooting, we compared them with particles taken from an indoor shooting range as dust and residue in ammunition casings. Lead-bearing particles show morphological changes that are caused by high temperatures and pressures during the shooting process.20252025-09-03 03:46:39Neznano23462sl