Geoecological Assessment of Soil Contamination at a General-Purpose Military Training Area

Abstract

The purpose is to study the patterns of soil contamination in craters of various origin and time of formation at a general-purpose military training area. Materials and methods. A detailed chemical analysis of soils selected from craters of various origin and time of formation on the territory of a typical general-purpose military area in the Central Federal District was carried out. The content of 22 elements was estimated by X-ray spectrometry. The content of nitrate nitrogen was estimated by potentiometry. The probability of soil contamination in the height of craters depending on their nature and age of formation was calculated. Results and discussion. Background concentrations of 22 metals and semi-metals, as well as nitrate nitrogen were determined. For all the studied contaminants of the military training area soils background concentrations do not exceed the established standards, with the exception of chromium. The concentration distribution of contaminants along the height of the craters formed during the dropping of aviation bombs and as a result of the disposal of ammunition by detonation method diff ers signifi cantly. Exceeding the established standards of elements in soils was revealed for arsenic and chromium. Signifi cant excess of background concentrations is typical for caesium, gallium, niobium, antimony and scandium. The maximum permissible concentration of nitrate nitrogen is not exceeded at any of the sampling points, while the maximum of its content is fi xed on the surface of a fresh crater from an aerial bomb. Conclusion. Soil contamination at military ranges is characterised by high non-uniformity both on the surface and in terms of craters height. The diversity of materials and substances used in military activities requires a more detailed study of soil contamination of military ranges of diff erent purposes in order to identify priority pollutants and to develop unifi ed methods for assessing the contamination of large-scale areas.