SOIL POLLUTION FROM TOXINS OF THE VOLGA RIVER SHORELAND IN THE AREA OF CHEBOKSARY HYDROPOWER STATION

Abstract

Strategic aim is: 1) to identify soil pollution from toxins of the Volga river shoreland in the cities of Cheboksary, Novocheboksarsk, Mariinsky Posad, located just beside of the Cheboksary hydropower station; 2) to compare soil pollution with maximum allowable concentration (MAC). Content of inorganic toxins in the soil was defined by the method of atomic absorption analysis, the content of benzpyrene - by high performance liquid chromatography, formaldehyde - by photometric method, benzene - be gas chromatography. Content of lead, mercury, benzpyrene and formaldehyde in the soil exceeded MAC level of the Volga right bank in Cheboksary city. Benzpyrene had the most significant excess of MAC, 2.3 times higher than acceptable level. Lead content was 41.1 % higher, formaldehyde - 30 % higher. MAC excess of lead, benzopyrene and formaldehyde in the soil of Novocheboksarsk area was registered. Lead MAC level was 27.1 % higher on the right bank and 3% on the left, benzopyrene, 39.4% and 28.6 %, formaldehyde - 12.5% and 5.4 %. Mercury content in the soil on both banks was equal to maximum concentration limit. There excess of MAC limit of lead, benzopyrene and formaldehyde in the soil was identified in the area of Mariinsky Posad on both banks of the Volga river. Lead œntent in the soil of the right bank was higher - 24.7 %, benzopyrene - 41.4 %, formaldehyde - by 4.1 %. Toxins content in the soil of the left bank exceeded maximum concentration limit by 8.1 %, 41, 2 % and 2.8 %, respectively. One might assume that Cheboksary hydropower station increases soil pollution of Cheboksary shoreland. Special activities are to be carried out in order to reduce anthropic impact on soil in the area of hydropower station.