The purpose of the present study is to analyse the distribution of arsenic in the soils of the Verkhnekamskoe potassium salt deposit (Perm Krai, Russia). The danger of arsenic pollution is determined by its high toxicity and carcinogenic hazard. Being a technophilic element, arsenic enters the environment primarily as a result of mining activities. Mining and processing sites for arsenic-containing ores are the most prone to technophilic arsenic accumulation. Solid wastes from potash production also contain elevated concentrations of arsenic. The content of arsenic in soils was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical methods were used to analyse the features of arsenic distribution in soils of background areas and potash mining areas near production facilities. Three types of landscapes were studied within each territory, which were each distinguished by the leading processes of substance migration. Arsenic concentrations in both the background areas and the potash mining territories vary considerably, ranging from n × 10⁻¹ to n × 10. The study found no statistically significant differences in arsenic concentrations in soils of potash mining areas and background areas. Arsenic concentrations in soils from various types of landscapes also do not differ statistically. Arsenic concentrations in soils of saline areas were found to be higher than in the rest of the territories. Outside of saline areas, the identified patterns of arsenic distribution in the soils of the Verkhnekamskoe potassium salt deposit indicate that potash operations are not a determinant in the technophilic accumulation of arsenic.

The current study considered the distribution of trace elements in snow cover taking into account the functional zoning of the territory of Berezniki-Solikamsk industrial hub, Perm Region, Russia. The concentrations of 22 trace elements were determined in the dissolved phase of snowmelt using...

Introduction. Heavy metal pollution of soils in urban areas is a severe problem in many regions of Russia and other countries. The higher concentrations of heavy metals in playground soils represent a severe threat to children’s health. The lack of legislatively approved decisions on periodic monitoring of soil contamination in residential areas and on remediation measures does not ensure a favourable ecological situation in the urban environment. Materials and methods. The mass spectrometry method was used to analyse the gross content of heavy metals and arsenic in playground soils in residential areas of the Industrialny district of Perm in 2019. Results. The assessment of soil contamination with heavy metals and arsenic in the soils of playgrounds of residential areas of the Industrialny district of Perm indicated their unsatisfactory quality. The concentration of arsenic in the soil exceeded the MPC by up to 4.6 times, zinc-2.6 times; nickel-3.5 times; cadmium-1.7 times; copper-1.5 times. The total indicator of contamination of Zс and Zст of the soil corresponds to the permissible level. The level of soil contamination with heavy metals ranges from “low” to “moderate” based on the indicator of potential environmental risk. Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the small number of soil samples on the territory of playgrounds and one-time sampling, which limits the interpretation of the data obtained to determine trends in soil pollution, as well as the absence of identified patterns of contaminants in soils from different sources of their inflow. Conclusion. The results suggest that it is necessary to monitor soil contamination in residential areas and implement timely remediation measures; it is necessary to make decisions at the legislative level on the soil quality management in residential areas to ensure a favourable ecological environment, taking into account domestic and foreign experience.

ОЦЕНКА МИКРОЭЛЕМЕНТНОГО СОСТАВА СНЕЖНОГО ПОКРОВА БЕРЕЗНИКОВСКОГО ГОРОДСКОГО ОКРУГА (ПЕРМСКИЙ КРАЙ)

Atmospheric deposition, vehicular transportation and de-icing agents are major sources polluted snow in urban. This study investigates the current trace elements concentrations of snow and de-icing using ICP-MS, and phytotoxicity using three vascular plants in snow. The study assesses the contamination, classification and phytotoxicity of snow quality removed from roads of residential areas and piled on children’s playgrounds in residential territories. The research found that according to Russian environmental quality standard for water has been identified the exceeding trace elements in snow by W, Se, Mn, Cu, V, Mo, Ni and Zn. The pollution indices ( PLI, CF and Zc) were identified pollution level of snow piles from moderate contamination to very high contamination. Based on average germination index values for Sinapis alba L., Lepidium sativum L., and Triticum aestivum L., the degree of inhibition in snow piles varied from no inhibition to strong inhibition. The trace elements content in de-icing “Galit А” and salt sand mix are defined in the following descending order: Zn > Mn > Ba > V > Rb > Sr and Mn > Ba > Cr > V > Sr > Ni, respectively. High concentrations of trace elements in snow piles are a source of environmental pollution. To prevent snow storage and disposal in residential areas should be involved in future studies of environmental pollution and circular economy, so that environmental managers can reduce threats to the environment and public health, as well as initiate circular economy projects in urban areas.

A theoretical review of publications containing information on the habitats of rare and protected plant species in the central and southern part of the Verkhnekamskoye salt deposit (Perm Krai) has been carried out. Information on the habitats of rare and protected plant and lichen species included in the Red Book of the Perm Territory and growing in the area is summarized. The insufficient amount of the available data required for engineering and ecological surveys has been shown. The need to carry out the special research to identify locations of protected plant, fungi and lichen species and to assess the status of their populations, initiated by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Forestry and Ecology of the Perm Territory, is considered.