On the content of metals in the soils of one of the industrial centers of the Russian Federation

Introduction. Soil is an important element of the city’s ecological system. Therefore, in the russian federation and european countries, in-depth studies are being conducted to substantiate permissible levels of soil exposure for most known metals. The level of environmental pollution varies in different parts of the city and may depend on the distance from the source of pollution, such as an industrial enterprise. The studied industrial center of the russian federation has areas that differ in functional use and purpose, including a large industrial enterprise, which is one of the key complexes of russian chemical production.

The purpose of this study is to determine the content of a number of metals (mercury, lead, zinc, arsenic, chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, barium, vanadium) in the soil of different areas of one of the industrial centers of the Russian Federation.

Material and methods. The paper presents the results of determining chemical elements (metals) in the soil of different urban areas of one of the industrial centers of the Russian Federation. Soil samples taken in 10 areas of the city were analyzed for quantitative content of metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The samples were collected over a period of two years; the research method was inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Results. The results of the study showed that in all the studied areas of the city, metal contents (Pb, Zn, Cu and As) were found that exceeded the permissible levels approved in the Russian Federation, which indicates a potential threat to the health of the population living in these territories.

Limitation. The use of these research methods is possible only in a specially equipped laboratory with qualified personnel.

Conclusion. The detected concentrations emphasize the importance of regular monitoring of the content of hazardous metals in the soil. An opinion has been formed on the need to take measures to reduce chemical pollution and the impact on the environment and to continue research, especially in those areas where excess exposure levels have been identified. The standards (maximum permissible concentrations) approved in the Russian Federation and similar standards (maximum permissible concentrations) of the Netherlands are compared.

Compliance with ethical standards. This study does not require the conclusion of a biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Authors’ contribution:
Varioshkin P.N. – concept and design of the study, collection of material and data processing, statistical processing, writing the text;
Lukovnikova L.V. – data processing, writing;
Reynyuk V.L. – data processing, editing;
Kombarova M.Yu. – collection of material and data processing, statistical processing;
Kuznetsov S.V. – collection of material and data processing, statistical processing;
Yatselenko Yu.V. – data processing, editing.
All co-authors – approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Funding. The study was supported by the Golikov Research Clinical Center of Toxicology of the FMBA of Russia, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation.

Received: August 21, 2025 / Revised: September 03, 2025 / Accepted: October 2, 2025 / Published: November 19, 2025

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