Ecological and geochemical features of soils of urban landscapes of Smolensk region

Aim. To identify the trends in ecological and geochemical transformations of the soil cover of the territories of the cities of Smolensk, Vyazma, Roslavl, Yartsevo and Gagarin of the Smolensk region under the influence of anthropogenic impact.

Methodology. Based on the use of archival materials, in the immediate vicinity of these cities the sites that were not subjected to anthropogenic impact were identified and stated as the background sites. Laboratory studies of the soil samples of various functional zones of the cities of the Smolensk region were carried out to determine the physicochemical properties and content of geochemically mobile forms of metals Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb by the method of flame atomic absorption on the atomic absorption spectrometer “Spectrum – 5”. The iron content in the soils was carried out colorimetrically (with sulfosalicylic acid) on a photoelectric photometer KKK2MP. The obtained indices of the mobile forms of metals Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Fe were compared with the indices of the background sites.

Results. The obtained results of the comparative analysis revealed changes in the physicochemical properties of the soils of the cities of the Smolensk region. Changes in the pH value towards a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction have been established, which in turn affects the decrease in the mobility of metals. The analysis of soil contamination with heavy metals of urban landscapes of the Smolensk region showed that the cities of Vyazma and Smolensk revealed the highest concentrations of zinc in soils. The copper content in the soil cover of the cities of the Smolensk region significantly exceeds the regional background level. Manganese, belonging to hazard class 3, in the soils of the cities of the region slightly exceeds the background level. In general, there is a low monoelement and complex pollution of the soils of the cities of the Smolensk region. It was established that the greatest contamination of the soil cover was detected in Vyazma and Smolensk.

Research implications. The obtained results can be used for monitoring studies of the impact of man-made sources of pollution on the adjacent territory and forecasting the environmental situation in cities, as well as for planning measures aimed at improving the quality of the urban environment.

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