Assessment of the potential geoecological risk of soil pollution during the development of primary diamond deposits (a case study in the Daldyn-Alakitsky mining and industrial region)

Relevance. Potentially toxic elements serve as the most important indicators of environmental pollution, creating a potential risk for the ecology and health of the ecosystem, as well as humans in industrial regions. Soil is the main geochemical sink for various pollutants and provides a medium for the transport of many pollutants to the atmosphere, the hydropheric and biomass. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study to assess geoecological risks from potentially toxic elements in soils. Aim. Assessment of the potential geoecological risk of soil contamination on the territory of the industrial site of the Udachny Mining and Processing Division using various pollution assessment indices. Objects. Dominant soil types in the northern taiga landscapes of the Daldyn kimberlite field. Methods. Atomic absorption, statistical methods. Results and conclusions. The author has carried out the assessment of potential sources of soil pollution and geoecological risks using such pollution indicators as the geoaccumulation index, Improved Nemerov index, pollution index, pollution load index, potential ecological risk. The soils of the study area are predominantly contaminated with Ni, Co, Cr and Mn. 19.51% of objects in the study area had a high potential environmental risk for Mn and Ni, and only 4.87% had a low potential environmental risk. Analysis of the spatial distribution of various pollution indices showed similar pictures. Local points with high values ​​of pollution indices were identified. Hot spots were noted in the areas affected by the Udachny and Zarnitsa pipes dumps and tailings dump no. 2.