Differentiation of Trace Metal Contamination Level between Different Urban Functional Zones in Permafrost Affected Soils (the Example of Several Cities in the Yamal Region, Russian Arctic)

Abstract

Dynamically developing urbanization causes a number of environmental effects, including those related to the chemical transformation of soils. Relatively less information about the urban areas of the Arctic and Subarctic zones, constructed mostly on permafrost and intensively populated areas can be found. By the example of the analysis of basic soil properties and concentrations of trace metals in the soils of the cities of Salekhard, Urengoy, Nadym, Novy Urengoy and Gaz Sale (the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District), as well as various functional zones within the cities, the relationship between the age of the cities, the level of anthropogenic pressure and the type of parent materials and the character of accumulation of metals in the soil profile of urban soils have been described. The direct correlation was found between the content of Pb, Cr, Ni, As and soil sorption characteristics. In young cities built on sandy sediments, there is less accumulation of heavy metals in the topsoil horizons. Relatively higher concentrations of Cu and Cd were noted in soils of industrialized cities, regardless of functional zones. The higher content of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb has been registered in older zones also frequently used for residential purposes. The calculated values of the PI index for some functional zones of young cities show the medium and high content of heavy metals. The analysis of Igeo and PLI indices shows a large diversity both in relation to individual cities and their functional zones. Soil quality, in spite of the high level of anthropogenic load, was assessed as mostly satisfactory.

Urbanization Affects Soil Microbiome Profile Distribution in the Russian Arctic Region

“…In both investigated urban sites, pH H2O was significantly higher than in the natural soil, with a more remarkable shift for the MUR-U2 site, which was recently developed and exposed to more intensive management. Topsoil SOC content in urban soils was comparable to the previous studies for Murmansk [ 11 , 31 ], Salekhard [ 56 ], and some other polar cities [ 46 , 57 ] and higher than reported for the natural Podzols in the region [ 29 , 36 ]. In the investigated MUR-NR site, however, SOC content in the topsoil O horizon was much higher than in the urban sites due to slow decomposition of the plant residuals in Subarctic conditions resulting in peat formation.…”

Agrochemical and Pollution Status of Urbanized Agricultural Soils in the Central Part of Yamal Region

“…The researcher recorded Cr concentrations equal to 23.5 mg × kg −1 on Belyi Island, and 3.1 mg × kg −1 in the vicinity of the village of Yar-Sale [66,101]. Trace metal concentrations in the soils of urbanized areas of YANAO depend largely on the degree of anthropogenic pressure in individual cases [102]. Previously published data on the content of metals in the soils of Salekhard indicate average concentrations of Pb 7.2 mg × kg −1 , Cu 6.5 mg × kg −1 , and As 3 mg × kg −1 [68].…”

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Roadside Soils on the Białystok-Budzisko Route in Northeastern Poland

“…One commonly used rate is the Geoaccumulation Index (I geo ). Other indicators proposed in this study include the Contamination Factor (CF) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) [1,2,42,56,57] (Table 2). A geochemical index, proposed by Müller [58], is used to determine the degree of soil contamination:…”

“…The development of civilization has contributed to severe environmental pollution [1][2][3]. In addition to industry and agriculture, road transport is a primary source of trace element pollution.…”

“…The above considerations encouraged us to conduct the study. The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine the content and spatial distribution of trace elements: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the top layer of roadside soils along the trunk road Białystok-Budzisko in different types of land use (urban, rural, agricultural and forestal areas), (2) application of I geo (Geoaccumulation Index), CF (Contamination Factor) and PLI (Pollution Load Index) indices to determine possible heavy metal contamination, and (3) application of multivariate statistical methods to identify the processes governing metals and their distribution trends in soils.…”