Heavy metal concentrations in urban and periurban soils of Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Dzerzhinsk, and Serpukhov, Russia

Abstract

The objective of this study was the assessment of the heavy metal status (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soils of Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Dzerzhinsk, and Serpukhov. The mean concentrations (0–10 cm) except for Co decreased along the line Moscow > Serpukhov > Nizhny Novgorod > Dzerzhinsk. The heavy metal concentrations in the Moscow region were higher than in the Nizhny Novgorod region (including Dzerzhinsk) but lower than e.g., in Berlin, Hamburg, and London. A Cluster analysis revealed that the heavy metal pattern in Moscow was different from that in Nizhny Novgorod and Dzerzhinsk. The heavy metal burden of the Moscow soils probably mainly resulted from diffuse background depositions and traffic exhausts. In the Nizhny Novgorod region Co, Cr, and Ni concentrations were mainly natural. Cadmium, Cu, and Zn concentrations were substantially affected by metallurgical industry. At both locations Pb and Hg formed one group indicating that traffic exhausts may be a common source. It was possible to refer several peak concentrations to distinct emitters.