Assessment of pollution degree of recent anthropogenic sediments with potentially harmful elements (PHEs) at the urban territory

The assessment of the pollution degree with PHEs was conducted in terms of pollution indexes for the residential territories of the city. The study was conducted on the example of Ekaterinburg (Russia). Puddle sediment (PS), a... [ view full abstract ]

The assessment of the pollution degree with PHEs was conducted in terms of pollution indexes for the residential territories of the city. The study was conducted on the example of Ekaterinburg (Russia). Puddle sediment (PS), a specific type of geochemical traps of the recent anthropogenic sediments, was used for assessment of pollution degree. The PS starts forming simultaneously with the construction and landscape planning. The PS cocktail concentrates pollution over the landscape area and over time from landscape forming. The PS reflects the natural (surface runoff, ground weathering and erosion) and anthropogenic (urban management and landscape planning) processes controlling migration of pollutants. 210 upper 5 cm samples of PS were taken (sample mass approx.1.5 kg of dry weight). The concentrations of PHEs (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) and conservative elements (Al, Mn and Fe) in PS samples were determined with ICP-MS method. The enrichment factor (EF) was assessed for the PS samples. The background values for PHEs in PS were assessed by statistical analysis of the sample, analysis of regression with the conservative elements, analysis of cumulative distribution frequency curves and 137Cs timescale tracer approach. The study of the recent anthropogenic sediments allowed ranking the territories on the pollution degree, identifying main pollutants, determining the relationship and genesis of pollution of soil and PS in the city.