Purpose: To assess the current ecological condition of the survey site located in the Republic of Karelia and intended for laying a non-public railway track. To analyze the component of the environment — the soil, for compliance with the requirements of regulatory documentation. To establish the category of soil pollution in accordance with Sanitary and Epidemiological Standards and Regulations SanPiN 2.1.3684 and the rules for further use in accordance with SanPiN 2.1.3685. Methods: To assess the degree of soil contamination with heavy metals and organic ecotoxicants, samples have been taken from 14 test sites. Assessment of the degree of soil contamination with heavy metals and benz(a)pyrene has been carried out in accordance with SanPiN 1.2.3685. The assessment of the degree of contamination of soils with petroleum products has been carried out in accordance with a letter from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation. The assessment of the danger of soil pollution has been carried out according to several indicators (Tables 4.3–4.5 of SanPiN 2.1.3685): –- a complex of metals for public health is made according to the indicator of total pollution (Zc); –- the presence/absence of excess over the established maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) and approximately permissible concentrations (APC). The pollution category is determined by the worst indicator. When establishing pollution categories worse than “permissible”, recommendations have been developed for the further use of contaminated soils (Appendix No. 9 to SanPiN 2.1.3684). Results: As a result of the tests conducted, it was determined that the soil samples collected from the survey area for the construction of a non-public railway section comply with the soil pollution category of “Permissible” and, according to the rules of further usage, fall under the classification of “Unrestricted Use”. Practical Significance: The investigated soils meet all the requirements of the regulatory documentation and can be used without restrictions for the construction of the non-public railway section.

Annotation. A methodology for determining zinc in tires (as a source of ecotoxicants in the atmospheric air) by atomic absorption with microwave pre-treatment as a product of motor vehicle wear in St. Petersburg was developed. In the article, the author gives different ways of sampling for testing. One of the rubber samples was taken from one area no larger than 5x5 cm on one tyre (first sampling option), the second sample was taken cumulatively from all tyre sides around its circumference (second sampling option). Tests of selected samples were carried out allowing conclusions to be drawn about the optimal sampling method. A comparative analysis has been made of the test results of samples taken by different methods from the car tyre surface. Based on the comparative analysis conclusions were made about the homogeneity of the tire composition. Various physical and chemical methods of sample preparation for the heavy metals determination are presented. In the course of the work the author selected the optimal conditions for sample preparation for testing allowing to obtain the maximum possible extraction of the analyte at the stage of sample preparation. The atomic absorption method was used to determine the zinc content in automobile tire samples. On the basis of the results obtained conclusions about the optimal sampling methods and sample preparation were made and the test conditions of the samples were optimized.

Annotation. A methodology for determining zinc in tires (as a source of ecotoxicants in the atmospheric air) by atomic absorption with microwave pre-treatment as a product of motor vehicle wear in St. Petersburg was developed. In the article, the author gives different ways of sampling for testing. One of the rubber samples was taken from one area no larger than 5x5 cm on one tyre (first sampling option), the second sample was taken cumulatively from all tyre sides around its circumference (second sampling option). Tests of selected samples were carried out allowing conclusions to be drawn about the optimal sampling method. A comparative analysis has been made of the test results of samples taken by different methods from the car tyre surface. Based on the comparative analysis conclusions were made about the homogeneity of the tire composition. Various physical and chemical methods of sample preparation for the heavy metals determination are presented. In the course of the work the author selected the optimal conditions for sample preparation for testing allowing to obtain the maximum possible extraction of the analyte at the stage of sample preparation. The atomic absorption method was used to determine the zinc content in automobile tire samples. On the basis of the results obtained conclusions about the optimal sampling methods and sample preparation were made and the test conditions of the samples were optimized.

The trend in the development of railway transport also includes the solution of such an important environmental, technological, sanitary and, to some extent, aesthetic problem as the transfer of all operated mainline passenger trains to environmentally friendly toilet complexes (EFTC). For the disposal of EFTC waste, a system has been created for the disposal of fecal waste in parking lots, which are then transported by sewage disposal machines and dumped into general treatment facilities. At the moment, as one of the possible options for industrial waste disposal of EFTC, wastewater sludge incineration plants are being considered. The method of waste incineration reduces the time, labor and financial costs of waste turnover, and taking into account the epidemiological risks of fecal waste, it has high development prospects. This article discusses similar combustion processes using the example of technologies implemented at wastewater sludge incineration plants, emissions from enterprises and the processes of formation of pollutants. And also, within the framework of this work, a comparative analysis of the control of emissions of pollutants from the combustion of sewage sludge into the atmosphere in the Russian Federation and in the EU, countries were carried out.