Anthropogenic impact on soil and vegetation in Turkistan region: Chemical composition and heavy metal contamination

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the anthropogenic impact on the soil and vegetation cover of the landscapes of the Turkistan region (southern part of Kazakhstan), and to investigate the chemical composition of elements and pollutants. The current state of landscapes with patterns of distribution of chemical elements and the influence of anthropogenic activity have been revealed. Quantitative indicators of the content of chemical elements (carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, calcium, titanium, iron, lead, arsenic, copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, thallium, manganese, and strontium) were studied based on soil samples. The levels of concentration of chemical elements of vegetation cover, aboveground and underground parts (carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron and copper) were assessed. The results of the chemical analysis of the soil cover revealed an excess of the maximum permissible concentration of chemical elements (lead, copper, zinc, arsenic, and chromium), while elevated levels of insoluble ash were observed in plants.