The impact of oil and gas production facilities on the accumulation of pollutants in soil and plants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32523/sp5t9m30Keywords:
plants, flare installation, heavy metalsAbstract
The impact of heavy metals on plants near industrial facilities in the Southern Urals requires careful study due to the growing problem of pollution in nearby agricultural areas. The objective of the study was to compare heavy metal levels in plants and soils of agricultural lands located a short distance from a flare stack and in agrocenoses not affected by it.
The content of heavy metals in the above-ground parts of plants in agrophytocenoses located 4 km from the flare unit of the oil and gas condensate complex was analyzed and a comparison was made with cultivated plants growing in clean areas. Soil and plant samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Contamination of the root zone with cadmium, zinc, and copper was detected in the study areas. Analysis of the vegetative parts of Panicum miliaceum L. revealed elevated Zn levels (1.32 times higher than the norm) and Cr levels (1.1 times higher than the norm) in plot No.1. Cicer arietinum L. accumulated Zn levels 2.2 times higher than the sanitary and hygienic standards in plot No. 1, which is located in the area of gas flaring, and 1.4 times higher than the norm in plot No. 2, located near the village of Lenin in the Southern Urals. The accumulation of elements in soils contributes to their accumulation in plants, and the heavy metal transformation coefficients for Panicum miliaceum and Cicer arietinum form similar series: Zn>Cu>Cd> Ni=Mn>Pb=Cr. The study data demonstrate the need for environmental monitoring of agricultural lands in the region to promptly identify changes in agroecosystem parameters and to develop approaches to their restoration.
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