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Documentation / Online Handbook

Soil

Description of the Problem

The Moscow region is characterised by the soddy podzolic, formed on moraine and sandy loams. These soils are of granulometric composition with a highly condensed surface layer, more alkaline in comparison to the soddy podzolic soils. The soil surface character changes depending on the lithologo-geomorphological features, type of land use, and anthropological period of development.

In Moscow, the natural soil is destroyed in the majority of the city. Anthropogenic influences predominate over the factor of soils developing naturally, forming specific types of soils under specific conditions.

The soils are divided into the following groups: natural, undestroyed soils (town forests, forest parks); anthropogenic surface; and anthropogenic deep layer modified soils. Most of the urban soils are characterised by a lack of the upper genetic soil horizons and a combination of various layers of artificial origin.

The soils are negatively affected by industry and transport. The main source of the soils’ pollution is a result of exhaust from Moscow’s industrial enterprises; waste from the heat power stations and motor cars/heavy metals, chlororganic compounds, and other toxins are acknowledged to be the most dangerous pollutions. More than 35% of the Moscow area has highly polluted soil.

The movable forms of compounds of heavy metals are the most dangerous. The highest level of pollution from heavy metals is evident in the soil near the main roads, especially in the central parts.

Anti-ice mixtures used in the streets provide soil pollution with the Na and Cl ions which affects plant growth. As a result of this contamination, the soil bioproductivity decreases. This is accompanied by growth of pathogenic micro-organisms, reducing the sanitary functions of the soil.

Pedophysical and pedochemical parameters of soil are used for practical estimation of the condition of the soil.

Data Sources

The Moscow Committee of Land (MOSKOMZEM) organises the monitoring of the land and soil. Information on the condition of the soil are collected by the State Land Cadastre, the state mechanism for statistical reporting of land registration, using the data received from the Moscow Committee for Environmental and Natural Resources Protection (MOSKOMPRIRODA) and the Moscow Center of Sanitary Epidemical Supervisor (all on database).

The geochemical sampling of soils is executed by a specialised organisation (Moscow pilot methodological geochemical expedition) according to the net of 1 x 1 km once every five years. Their data are represented on analog maps.

The land monitoring is directed toward the prompt discovery of changes in the available lands‘ state, estimation, forecasting, and development of recommendations for prevention and elimination of the negative processes sequences. Periodical and basic monitoring of lands is performed in Moscow.

Methods

Determination of levels of pollution of soils is based on the unified indices. The classification of indices takes into account the natural features of the soils and ist purpose is for administrative decision-making regarding land utilisation.

In scale 1:50 000 the polluted areas are shown, and the spreading of pollutants is roughly marked by contour lines. The detailed maps are made for parts of the polluted territories. The methods of space interpolation are used in producing the maps.

Estimation of the soils’ chemical pollution level as the indicator of unfavourable effects on human health is based on the indices developed through the geochemical and geological research on the urban environment. Here we speak about the following indices: coefficient of the chemical composition concentration (Kc), which can be determined by relation of its real content in the soil (C) to the background content (Cô): Kc = C/Cô, and the summarised index of pollution (Zc).

The summarised index of pollution is equal to the sum of the chemical elements’ concentration coefficient and can be expressed in the following form:

  n
 Zc = Kc
j = 1

where n is the number of the elements to be summarised.

Analysis of distribution of the geochemical indices gained from the soil’s approbation through the regular net reflects future technogenic effects. This data is then correlated with the air basic pollution.

The risk of soil pollution with the complex of metals can be calculated on the basis of the Zc index in accordance with a special rating scale. The Zc index reflects differentiation of pollution of the urban air basin with metals and other diffused contaminations (hydrocarbons, aerosols). The rating scale gradation is developed on the basis of the public health investigation. Emissions analysis allows one to determine the chemical composition of contaminants participating in soil pollution.

Results

The results of the soil monitoring are included in the thematic maps. The maps indicate the worst sources of contamination and areas most vulnerable to pollution. The maps of soil contamination are based on the pedological maps and the data of distant control. There are six maps on soil contamination showing Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn (1-5). The comprehensive map (6) shows the isolines marking out the polluted areas of various levels of pollution, sources of pollution, and districts of advanced requirements for soil quality.

Uses

Results of the land estimation are used in detailing the city land use, organising competition of the lots’ rent (especially: landscape and recreation zones, children's and medical institutions), and making various management decisions including the introduction of restrictions to the permitted use of lands.

For further information please contact:

Moscow pilot methodogical geochemical expedition of
Institute of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Crystallochemistry.
121357, Moscow, Veresaeva str., 15.
Head of Expedition (OMGD-5)
Samaev S.B.
tel 007 - 095 -444-52-50, 444-50-19
email: evgeny.samaev@usa.net