Environmental consequences of unauthorized landfills and their biochemical impact on soil: a case study of the Nadym district in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug

The development of industry and the active exploitation of natural resources inevitably lead to an increase in waste volumes, which, in the absence of proper control and disposal, become a serious environmental threat. Illegal dumpsites represent one of the most pressing problems of modern society, as their negative impact affects not only soils but also water resources. Toxic substances, such as heavy metals and organic compounds from the waste, gradually infiltrate the soil, disrupting its structure and biochemical processes. Through the soil, pollutants seep into groundwater, spreading to water systems, including rivers and lakes. As a result, sources of drinking water become contaminated, posing a serious threat to human life and health. Heavy metals, with their cumulative properties, can accumulate in body tissues, gradually depleting its resources and causing dysfunctions in vital organs. The authors of the study conducted an analysis of waste sources, their composition, and their impact on the environment, as well as examined biochemical processes occurring in contaminated soils and water. Special attention was given to the impact of dumpsites on the health of indigenous peoples of the Far North, for whom melted snow and ice serve as the sole source of water during the winter. The article also proposes practical measures to address this issue, including improving the waste management system, introducing innovative processing technologies such as mobile pyrolysis units, tightening control over environmental violations, and increasing accountability for the organization of illegal dumpsites.