Transformation of the chemical properties of soils in the zone of influence of the asphalt concrete plant

Abstract

The article presents the results of studies of technogenically contaminated soils in the territory of an asphalt concrete plant. Toxic dust generated by the operation of the enterprise pollutes the air and settles on the surface of the soil. This anthropogenic impact is visually manifested in a decrease in the projective cover of the vegetation cover in the Baiterek region of the West Kazakhstan region. The studies represent the study of such parameters as wind direction, soil composition for readily soluble salts, heavy metals and oil products. In the analysis of soils for heavy metals and oil products, spectral and fluorescent methods were used. Easily soluble salts in an aqueous extract were determined by electrochemical, gravimetric, and direct titration methods. The dynamics of the accumulation of pollutants in the soil corresponded to the winds operating in the zone of the plant. In the northern and western directions from the plant, the analysis of soils for lead and cobalt showed that the permissible norms were exceeded by 5.8 and 6.1 times. The dynamics of petroleum products in the plant's soils also revealed that the approximate permissible norms were exceeded. Analysis of the salt content in the technogenic sediment showed an average salinity within the entire production site. As a result of the research carried out, we found out that the functionality of the plant, represented by the welding, boiler, asphalt mixture production units and the vehicle fleet, really exerts a technogenic load on the soil and vegetation cover. The authors recommend excluding the construction of residential buildings and livestock grazing in the northern and western directions from the design.