The total content of macronutrients and heavy metals in the soil on devastated lands at Kryvyi Rih Iron Mining & Metallurgical District (Ukraine)

Abstract


 
 
 he relevance of the research is due to the need to develop technologies for phytoremediation of the devastated lands in the mining and metallurgical regions of Ukraine and the world. In this regard, the creation of tree plantations adapted to the ecological conditions of such territories is considered by many experts as the most promising option for innovative technologies. However, the development of artificial woodlands requires knowledge of the pedogeochemical characteristics of devastated lands. The aim of the work was to carry out a comparative analysis of the macronutrients and heavy metals gross forms content in the soils of the devastated lands of the Kryvyi Rih mining and metallurgical region. The field studies focused on five contrasting monitoring sites of the Petrovsky dump (Central Kryvorizhzhya), which has a typical age and composition of rocks for the region. Soil sampling, drying, sieving, and sample preparation (sintering in a muffle furnace) were done in accordance with classical techniques. The concentrations of macronutrients (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus) and heavy metals (iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium) were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP- MS) X-Series 2 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). The analytical part of our research was carried out on the basis of the laboratory of the Institute of Biosciences, Freiberg University of Technology and Mining Academy (Freiberg, Germany). At monitoring sites, significant differences were found in the content of macronutrients gross forms, and their variation relative to the control values as well. Potassium and sodium concentrations generally differed slightly or were close to control levels. The results of determining the content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus indicate a significant deficiency or excess of these macronutrients in the soils of the devastated lands. An increased sulfur content was found in the soils of all monitoring sites, in some cases 4 times higher than the control level. The measured content of gross forms of iron, manganese, copper, cadmium and, partially, zinc in the soils of different monitoring sites exceeded the control values by 5.5 – 5.9 times. Thus, the analysis of the research results made it possible to establish that the soils of the devastated lands of the Petrovsky dump are characterized by unfavorable properties for the growth of most species of woody plants.
 
 

Assesment of heavy metals concentration in initial soils of post-mining landscapes in Kryvyi Rih District (Ukraine)

“…Data about heavy metals contents in this area were already partially presented in our previous publications (Savosko et al, 2021) Mean concentration of metals in the area from highest to lowest was recorded in the following pattern: Fe > Mn > As > Cu > Zn > Cr > Co > Pb > Sn > > Mo > Cd. This model was different from the one obtained at the control site (with the exception of Fe, Mn, Sn, Mo and Cd).…”

“…Data about heavy metals contents control sites of Kryvyi Rih District were already partially presented in our previous publications (Savosko et al, 2021). The local background concentrations of these elements and the representative descriptive statistics are summarized in Table 2.…”

“…Numerous researchers have convincingly proven that waste rock dumps have a strong and negative impact on the environment. Moreover, in many countries, especially in developing countries, environmental, social and stabilization issues have not been considered as an integral part in mining (Fazekas et al, 2018;Savosko et al, 2020bSavosko et al, , 2021Sediva, Izakovicova, 2015;Urminska et al, 2019).…”

The impact of forest plant communities on the content of heavy metals in soil profiles of the iron ore mining area, Kryvyi Rih District, Ukraine

“…Numerous studies have revealed that in terrestrial ecosystems soil is the main store of many environmental contaminants such as trace metals (Gryshko et al 2012, Baghaie and Aghili 2019, Kasiuliene et al 2019, Savosko et al 2021a. Heavy metals (HMs) are non-degradable and persistent components, therefore their presence in soil is very stable and very long-lasting (Demkova et al 2017, Savosko et al 2021b, Stofejova et al 2021.…”

“…Accumulation of HMs in soils have presented many problems for agricultural industry, food chains, biosphere functions and human health (Gryshko et al 2012, Savosko 2016, Baghaie and Aghili 2019, Wang et al 2020. The HMs in the soil are derived from the parent material and various anthropogenic sources, such as agriculture, urbanization and industrialization including mining (Demkova et al 2017, Yi and Cheng 2019, Wang et al 2020, Savosko et al 2021a.…”