PATTERNS OF TOXIC ELEMENT DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS OF SETTLEMENTS IN THE EASTERN TRANSBAIKALIA MINING AREAS 

Abramov B.N.^*1, Tsyrenov T.G.^*1 

¹ Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chita, Russia

The distribution patterns of toxic elements in soils have been revealed for populated areas in Eastern Transbaikalia mining districts. A comparative analysis of toxic element distribution in soils of residential areas, tailings ponds and background areas in the areas of worked-out and mined-out deposits of gold, polymetallic, tin and molybdenum has been carried out. Elemental composition was determined using X-ray fluorescent and ICP-MS methods in analytical laboratories of Geological Institute SB RAS (Ulan-Ude) and ICP-MS CJSC “SGS Vostok Limited” (Chita). Background concentrations of elements in soils were used in the calculations. Samples for background concentrations were taken outside the influence zone of technogenic objects at a distance of several hundred meters to 1–2 km from them, in watershed parts of landscapes. The weight of the soil sample was equal to 1.0 kg. Samples in settlements were taken along the main streets and main highways. It has been found that the content of toxic elements in soils of mining settlements and technozems of tailing dumps decreased from the first to the third hazard class. It has been determined that soils of Baley town are characterized by dangerous degree of pollution (Z_c = 81.5). Soils of township-forming settlements at mining and processing plants of worked-out polymetallic and molybdenum deposits are characterized by a high degree of pollution: Novy Akatuy (Z_c = 56.8), Vershino-Shakhtaminsky (Z_c= 40.8), Gorny Zerentuy (Z_c = 38.8). An average degree of soil contamination danger is noted in the settlement of Sherlovaya Gora at the Sherlovogorsk tin-polymetallic deposit mine (Z_c= 25.5). A low level of soil contamination is noted in Zhireken settlement (Z_c = 9) at the Zhireken molybdenum mine. The degree of soil contamination in settlements was found to increase with the dercreasing distance from the tailing dumps.

Key words:  soils of settlements, technozems of tailing dumps, toxic elements, total conbtamination degree, eastern transbaikalia

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