Contamination of soils with heavy metals in the parks of Vologda

Abstract

Abstract Soil contamination with heavy metals is a major threat to both the natural environment and human health. The study of soil contamination with heavy metals in urban environments is an important applied task. In the course of this study, the gross content of heavy metals in the soils of parks in Vologda was determined, consolidate figures of soil contamination were calculated and a comparative analysis of soil contamination in parks was made. Determination of the gross content of heavy metals in soils was carried out at the Agrochemical Service Centre “Vologodsky” in the Molochnoye settlement using generally accepted methods. The level of chemical contamination of soils was assessed on the basis of a total contamination indicator. The study concluded that sod-podzolic, loamy soil type with acidity ranging from 6.7 to 7.2 prevails in the parks of the city of Vologda under study. In general, 6 parks in the city of Vologda are classified as a permissible pollution category in terms of total soil pollution, while 2 parks are classified as a moderately hazardous pollution category. The most heavily metal-contaminated soils are found in Victory Park and the Kremlin Garden. The least heavily metal-contaminated soils are Evkovka, Mira and 50th anniversary of October parks.