Technogenic pollution of soils in Eastern Kazakhstan with heavy metals: assessment of forms, environmental risk, and spatial structure

Abstract

Technogenic soil pollution with heavy metals is one of the key factors of environmental risk in the industrial regions of the East Kazakhstan region. The paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the agro-ecological condition of soils in the zones of influence of mining and metallurgical enterprises with the analysis of gross and mobile forms of potentially toxic elements. The survey covered 28,121 hectares near large industrial facilities. The agrochemical and physicochemical properties of soils, as well as the content of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd, have been determined. Integral indicators of pollution and environmental risk have been calculated, spatial zoning has been performed. It has been established that the maximum accumulation of metals is timed to the upper soil horizons and the zones of influence of industrial emissions. The most dangerous element is Cd. The results obtained form the basis for environmental zoning and the development of monitoring and remediation systems.