Toxic Elements in the Soils of Urban Ecosystems and Technogenic Sources of Pollution

Abstract

Using physicochemical methods of analysis (XRF and AAS), the elemental composition of urban soils of large urban ecosystems of one of the industrially developed regions of Russia was studied. It was revealed that most of the soils of urban ecosystems have technogenic anomalies in a number of heavy metals and metalloids: As, Co, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr. An abnormally high iron content in the soils of the region was established compared with the world level and clarke of element in the soils. Without exception, all studied urbanozems are characterized by a high S content. Territories with a moderately hazardous and dangerous pollution level, which amounted to 20% of the studied urban ecosystems, respectively, were identified by the total pollution index. Sources of toxic elements in urban soils are metallurgical, defense, metalworking and chemical industries. The industrial production and toxicant-polluted urban soils considered in the article are a potential source of pollution of natural waters and surface layers of the atmosphere. The soils of cities and sanitary protection zones of industrial enterprises with geochemical anomalies require bioremediation