Ecological Risk Assessment of PTEs in Topsoils Impacted by Diamond Mining (Yakutia, Russia)

• Published in: E3S Web of Conferences
• Main Author: Gololobova Anna
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; French
• Published: EDP Sciences 2023
• Subjects: Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Udachny; Yakutia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340704005; https://doaj.org/article/8ac99d9c86464c5b86865f77fd9c73e9

The concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the topsoils of Udachny mining area were determined. The soil samples were taken from the 42 topsoil samples at a depth of 0-20 cm. The concentrations of PTEs (Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn) were analyzed by the atomic absorption method on MGA-1000. In addition, the pH and soil organic matter (humus) were measured for each sample. The potential ecological risk was quantitatively estimated for each site. The most severe PTEs soil contamination in the study area was Cd, followed by As, Pb, Cr, and Zn. Local areas with a significant potential environmental risk (300 ≤ RI < 600) have been established near the kimberlite pipe and overburden dump.