Assessment of Heavy Metal Soil Contamination in Populated Areas for Determining Losses to Land Rights Holders

This study focuses on delineating the spatial boundaries of heavy metal soil contamination in populated areas. Fieldwork was conducted to collect soil samples using various sampling techniques from the Massiv 52, Novy Svet settlement and the Severnaya Samarka gardening association, both exposed to adverse impacts from infrastructure facilities. For all samples, the pH (KCl) and the concentrations of mobile and total forms of As, Cd, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Sn, Sb, and Cr, as well as total forms of V and Hg, were determined. Exceedances of Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPC) and Approximate Permissible Concentrations (APC) were detected for total and mobile forms of Zn, as well as mobile forms of Mn and Pb across both study areas, alongside an exceedance of total Cd at the Massiv 52. Land hazard categories based on contamination levels were identified, ranging from “permissible” to “hazardous,” depending on MPC and APC exceedances as well as the calculated total pollution index Zc. Contamination maps were generated using radial basis function (RBF) and inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation methods. Contamination boundaries were delineated by contour lines corresponding to statutory MPC and APC values. The findings are intended to inform the development of a methodology for assessing losses to land rights holders caused by the adverse impact of infrastructure facilities.