Assessment of the Potential Geoecological Risk of Soil Pollution as a Result of the Development of Diamond Ore Deposits

Potentially toxic elements serve as the most important indicators of environmental pollution in industrial regions, where they create a potential risk for the ecology and health of the ecosystem, as well as for humans. Soil is the main geochemical sink for various pollutants and provides a medium for the transport of many pollutants to the atmosphere, hydropheric, and biomass. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study to assess geoecological risks due to potentially toxic elements in soils. The purpose of the research is to assess the potential geoecological risk of soil contamination on the industrial site of the Udachninsky Mining and Processing Plant using different pollution assessment indices. The objects of the research include dominant soil types in the northern taiga landscapes of the Daldyn kimberlite field. Atomic absorption and statistical methods were used. The author has assessed potential sources of soil pollution and geoecological risks using pollution indicators such as the geoaccumulation index, improved Nemerov index, pollution index, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk. The results of the analysis have shown that the soils of the study area are predominantly contaminated with Ni, Co, Cr, and Mn. A high potential environmental risk (contamination with Mn and Ni) has been recorded for 19.51% of the objects in the study area and a low potential environmental risk has been observed only for 4.87%. Analysis of the spatial distribution of different pollution indices has shown similar patterns. Local points with high values of pollution indices have been identified. Hot spots have been recorded in the areas affected by the dump of the Udachnaya and Zarnitsa pipes and tailings dump no. 2.