Ecological state of soils and water resources of the central cities of the urbanized territories of Irkutsk oblast, Buryatia and Mongolia

Abstract

As the pace of urbanization accelerates, the quality of life in large cities is becoming increasingly determined by the level of preservation of the components of the natural environment. One of the main ecological living-standard criteria is the quality of water resources and soils. The article analyses statistical and published materials on soil and water pollution of the Baikal region. Soils and surface water samples taken in the central cities of urbanized territories (Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude and Ulan-Bator), as well as in adjacent territories were analyzed for the content of macro-and microelements. It was revealed that the most contaminated soils are in the city of Irkutsk due to the presence of a large technogenic load and high sorption capacity of soils. Soil degradation and pollution in the Baikal region has been mapped. The map shows actual pollution and possible potential, taking into account environmental conditions. The highest pollution of surface waters is observed in the Tuul river, downstream of Ulan-Bator due to the high technogenic load and the fact that natural waters of steppe regions initially have high content of chemical elements, and the soils are fine textured, therefore, pollutants can easily migrate through surface and ground waters. A map of surface water quality of the Baikal natural territory has been compiled.