Ecological – hygienic soil assessment of the federal highway roadside areas

Abstract

Over a half (about 54 %) of all types of anthropogenic pollution belongs to transport. Soils at roadside areas experience active pollution with heavy metals, which are the most hazardous contaminants penetrating into the soil with the exhaust gases due to the increased traffic intensity of vehicles. Hygienic assessment of heavy metals content in the roadside area soils of the Federal highway “R-22” with a total length of 798 km has been carried out in this research. The results based on soil sampling at 11 points along the entire length of the highway at the distance of 20 and 50 m from the roadbed have been assessed. Soil sampling was done in compliance with the State Standard of GOST 17.4.4.02-2017 by the envelope method from the soil horizon at the depth of 0-20 cm. HM content in soil samples was determined by the X-ray fluorescence method applying spectrometer “Spectroscan MAX-G” in compliance with the Environmental State Standards PND F 16.1.42-04. The greatest HM content was detected in the roadside area located on the black soils of spodzol, typical, southern, dark chestnut and chestnut saline soils. It testifies of the considerable soil contamination by the passing vehicles and of a real ecological harm to public health and environment. In order to reveal harmful contaminants for the population living at the roadside areas, it is recommended to organize sanitary and hygienic monitoring of soil, surface and groundwater of the roadside areas which are subject to constant HM exposure and accumulation exceeding maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) and approximate permissible amounts (APA) set by sanitary and hygienic standards.